Old Mutual launches 2023 VCC
BUSINESS REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s largest financial services group, Old Mutual in partnership with British Council, British Embassy, and EFT, will Friday launch the Value Creation Challenge (VCC)
The VCC initiative targets entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small business proprietors across the country.
The programme aims at capacitating entrepreneurs through business development and coaching, seed funding, and acceleration.
The programme aims to build a quality community of small business owners while helping them develop business skills through strategic knowledge and skills transfer.
This year’s focus will be on entrepreneurs or start-ups within the creative industry such as fashion, digital content creation, music and literature, sustainability and climate change, and emerging technology industries.
In addition, the Value Creation Challenge is also looking at identifying talented ‘fintech’ with innovative solutions and encouraging participation by female-led startups.
The program runs in phases, starting with the application process, whereby eligible business owners can apply for consideration.
Any Zimbabwean citizen-run start-up can use it.
The applicant must have ownership rights to the business idea and should have operated for less than five years.
The selection process is carried out by a committee, and qualifying candidates will be selected based on business viability, the potential for growth, competition risk, and market risk.
Once shortlisted the selected applicants will be mentored and trained by Old Mutual Zimbabwe, EFT, and various industry experts to ensure the practical experience provided will empower and gear them for business growth and making an impact in their respective value chains and communities.
