Page 12 - Designing Ways 242

TRADE
WINDS

Competition is a gamechanger for the

regional Furniture Sector

o you have a bold business idea “KZN is home to an abundance of SMMEs
that has the potential to be a that have innovative business concepts, yet
Dgamechanger in the regional these often go unfulfilled as they simply
furniture industry? Do you want to don’t have the opportunity to engage with
grow in the retail value chain? If you large customers, or the resources to develop
are a small business based in KZN that their ideas,” Paige explains.
currently supplies, or could supply, goods “For these businesses, the EFC
or services to the furniture sector, enter Business Accelerator promises to be a
the eThekwini Furniture Cluster (EFC) gamechanger. It offers a unique platform
Business Accelerator and put yourself in for high potential SMMEs to pitch their
the running to gain a lucrative business innovative ideas to some of South Africa’s
contract with leading South African leading furniture retailers. Our panel
furniture retailers, @home, CLM Home comprises @home, CLM Home, and
and Homewood. Homewood, who are actively looking for
This event provides a unique platform KZN-based businesses to showcase their
for SMMEs to showcase their potential products and services and unlock their The top pitches will qualify for an online
to large retailers. It also creates the growth potential,” Paige explains. pitching platform which will take place in
opportunity for local retail to access The EFC Business Accelerator is open to mid-June. Paige explains how this will
previously unseen local suppliers. Paige all KZN-based small, medium, and micro work: “This virtual ‘Dragons’ Den’ of sorts
Sherriff, the Project Manager for the businesses that are current or prospective will give our retailers the opportunity
EFC, says that with its focus on linking manufacturers or services providers to to engage with the SMMEs and ask
innovative products and services such as the regional furniture industries. To enter, them questions about their products or
packaging, raw materials, componentry, candidates need to submit their innovative services. After they have reviewed all the
technology and furniture to larger ideas and projects by completing an online pitches, our judges will select the winning
markets, the Business Accelerator aims application by Friday, 14 May 2021. These companies and they will receive a letter of
to fast track the growth of innovative will be screened and top candidates will intent to procure their goods or services
businesses driven by passionate South be invited to submit a video pitching their from these large customers, along with a
Africans. ideas.
list of requirements to convert this intent
into physical sales.”
In addition to this market opportunity,
the winner will automatically qualify to
receive intensive mentoring and support
from industry professionals with over
30 years of experience, training and
development for themselves and their
employees, and membership to the EFC
for one year.
“We leverage experience, expertise,
and partnerships to create a winning
mentorship programme as this is the
magic that will turn the winning idea into
a viable, growth-oriented innovation,”
Paige explains.
The intention of the Business
Accelerator is to be a vehicle for industry
transformation in the regional furniture
sector, to promote small Black-owned
enterprises, and thus to further develop
the sector, economy, and employment. dw

www.furniturecluster.org.za/the-
business-accelerator/

12 Issue 242 • dw