ECITI - A champion for a connected, empowered and informed Eastern Cape.

The ECITI incubation programme

ECITI’s incubation programme assists early stage development of ICT and film entrepreneurs. Our programme accelerates successful development of entrepreneurial companies through various support resources and services offered in the incubation hub and through ECITI’s network of contacts.

We take an integrated approach to developing entrepreneurs, where we consider the environment of a business, economic conditions, services offered, and the entrepreneurial capacity of the business owner or manager.

We provide infrastructure, a range of business support services which include ongoing mentorship and training, linkages to industry and academic networks, and information resources on ICT and film.

How we support small businesses

Small businesses that meet the criteria for our incubation programme benefit from a range of services that position them for growth.

Training and development

Businesses are entered into a structured training and development programme for the entire incubation period. This involves business skills development as well as formalising a business model and a management system that can assist the business on a sustainable growth path.

Access to finance

We are committed to assisting entrepreneurs with crafting a bankable business plan that can secure investment for growth and expansion.

Mentorship and coaching

Businesses in our programme are assigned to a dedicated mentor and business coach who guide them through the pitfalls of starting and building a business.

Networks

Businesses which form part of our incubation programme are exposed to our networks which present learning and business opportunities. Through linkages with similar incubation programmes such as Cape Town-based Bandwidth Barn, incubates get an opportunity to learn from peers in the same industry. We also introduce incubates to industry and academic networking forums as a way of creating linkages to local and international markets, funders and potential investors.

Industry information

Keeping abreast of industry information and developments is something we prioritise for incubates. As such, we provide information resources such as electronic and print journals and publications. Through our industry networks, we also raise sponsorship for incubates to attend provincial and national conferences as of way of exposing them to technological developments.

Office space and shared services

We also offer rental office space and access to basic business infrastructure through a resident and virtual programme. Currently, our hub accommodates 16 resident businesses each year. Resident incubates are located at our premises where they get access to training, meetings and boardrooms, internet connection, photocopier, scanning and printing services, as well as administration services.

Stages of incubation

Film and ICT enterprises may enter the programme at any of the three stages of the incubation, subject to meeting the selection and entry criteria for each phase.

Launch Pad: Idea phase and survivalists

• Should have a basic business proposal
• Need not be a registered entity (near start-ups)
• Should be less than three months if registered

Seed: Emerging, establishing business and revenue models

• Should be a legally registered start-up (SMME as per Small Enterprise Act)
• Should be privately or co-operatively owned and managed
• Should be six months or less since registration
• Should have a qualifying business plan
• Should have a market ready product/services

eGrowth: Growth oriented, sustainable revenue, growth or expansion

• Should be a registered and fully compliant entity (SARS, for example)
• Should be privately or co-operatively owned and managed (SMME as per Small Enterprise Act)
• Should be less than 18 months in operation
• Should have a stable client base