Funding for young black entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur, investor and group co-CEO of The Creative Counsel (TCC), Ran Neu-Ner has personally pledged R50 million to assist young entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses. The recently awarded 2016 Top Performing Business Leader (by the National Business Awards), says talented entrepreneurs are being thwarted by the red tape of financial institutions, to the detriment of the country’s economic development. “Funding is the first of two major issues for start-ups. The second is the dire lack of mentorship. The country is losing a lot of bright young people with great ideas to white and blue collar jobs because there is inadequate support. Yet it is this potential that could be creating more jobs and solving unemployment,” says Neu-Ner. “This latent potential must be realised, which is where I hope to have an impact.” Neu-Ner has partnered with Suits and Sneakers, an informal inspirational learning and networking platform, to manage applications, assist with training,…