The municipality of the City of Cape Town will soon open a business hub to provide small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and entrepreneurs with guidance and connect them to business development services.
While it will be a physical, walk-in facility for now, there are plans to launch an online version of the hub in the future.
The hub is the city’s enterprise and investment department’s initiative, in collaboration with partners, which include the Western Cape Trade and Investment Agency, Business Process Enabling South Africa, Cape Craft and Design Institute and Cape Information Technology Initiative.
The city’s partners will facilitate workshops offered to the SMMEs and entrepreneurs. These will cover business processes, registration on the city’s portals, informal trading applications and business licensing. They will consist of one-on-one and group sessions.
As part of the workshops, SMMEs and entrepreneurs will be guided on how to overcome the city’s red tape, and connect them with industry experts who can mentor them. They will also be provided with training on how to develop their companies.
The business hub facility will be located in the central business district at 4A Adderley Street, Strand Concourse, and will launch on Tuesday, next week.
Mayoral committee member for economic opportunities and asset management James Vos says while the hub is not a business incubator, it will connect small businesses with relevant service providers.
“The service will be focused on outreach across the city to ensure SMMEs, entrepreneurs and residents seeking assistance with their business ventures are assisted.”
The hub was developed after the city received queries from residents seeking assistance on how to start their businesses and make relevant connections.
“The business hub is a one-stop-shop approach to guide and create linkages with the extensive network of enterprise development support available across Cape Town,” notes Vos.
The hub will operate on weekdays from 8am to 4pm and can be contacted by e-mailing support@capetown.gov.za, or calling the call centre on 021 417 4043.
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