Calling all next generation entrepreneurs

At the end of the year, most young adults are chilling out, taking a break. One South African project is, however, looking to give them a break of a different kind. From 20 December to 14 January, a five-ton truck equipped with 10 free internet stations and a walk-in meeting area — will travel to five South African seaside cities to meet matriculants and univeristy students to discuss the idea of being an entrepreneur or an “intrapreneur”.

The enterprising project is run by the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation (MEDO) in partnership with United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) , an organisation focused on growing the economies of the UK and South Africa by facilitating more connections between small and micro businesses.

“We’re looking for those interested in creating (rather than just finding) a job,” says Judi Sandrock, CEO of MEDO. “We want to hear from those who have business ideas or existing businesses, to see where help can be provided.”

MEDO-UKTI has put together a team that specialises in entrepreneur development, including two entrepreneurship students from Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge in the UK, talk to potential entrepreneurs. “Intrapreneurs”, or individuals with ideas about products or services they would like to introduce into organisations, are also encouraged to meet the MEDO-UKTI team.

MEDO will also conduct short business management workshops and those interested in taking their business ideas to the next level are encouraged to apply for the MEDO-UKTI entrepreneurship development programme in 2012. The programme offers a mix of practical business skills workshops and support services, as well as networking events and introductions to markets in South Africa and overseas.

The tour dates and cities include:
Durban: 20-24 December, 2011
East London: 27-29 December, 2011
Port Elizabeth: 2-4 January, 2012
George: 6 January, 2012
Cape Town: 9-14 January, 2012

You can follow the tour’s progress on Twitter.