An artist’s impression of what the Riversands Incubation Hub will look like once completed.
Diepsloot business owners now have access to subsidised business support at a new state-of-the-art facility right on their doorsteps – literally.
This, thanks to the Riversands Incubation Hub, a partnership between Century Property Developments and The Jobs Fund that is expected to open its doors on 3 November.
Situated at the heart of the planned Riversands Commercial Park about 20km from Sandton, the incubator aims to offer support services such as training and business premises to about 160 small black-owned businesses at subsidised rates.
Business owners will have access to a library, two 200-seat lecture halls, a 500-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, hot desks, back-up marketing and printing facilities, a 45-seat restaurant and state-of-the-art IT infrastructure.
Century Property Development marketing and promotions manager Anne Vicente says the hub is within walking distance of Diepsloot and emphasis will be on attracting small businesses in the light manufacturing, IT, security, agro-processing, services and technical industries that provide goods and services for the corporate sector.
“The hub will also include 150 mini-factories, retail spaces, office spaces, an agro-hub to teach agriculture and horticulture and an amphitheater for 10 000 people which is suitable for outdoor concerts,” says Vicente.
With construction having been completed, final finishing touches are being added, including the processing of more than 150 applications from applicants under consideration for inclusion on the incubation programme.
“The focus will be on those businesses that bring good economic opportunity to the surrounding area. This will be accomplished through mentoring and supporting them to become fully-fledged, formal businesses over a three-year period,” Vicente says. The plan is also to give businesses in the commercial park a rich source of small business suppliers on their doorstep.
Before any business enters the incubation programme, a strict screening process will be undertaken to ensure the viability of the business.