The Entrepreneur Programme is an accredited UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership Short Course (NVQ level 5). 

Under the academic guidance of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Graduate School of Business and Leadership and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of the CREATE Programme, the academic content of workshops is based on Dr Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas. The Business Model Canvas is used as a framework by finalists to interrogate their businesses at a practical level.

In support of the workshops, finalists receive personal guidance and advice from Chamber-accredited Business Mentors. These Mentors offer an extensive suite of skills and experience, enabling finalists to immediately implement learnings into their businesses. 

Finalists also receive professional guidance and input on the Corporate Identity (CI) of their businesses, resulting in the development of digital and/or traditional, sponsored, marketing collateral. In this regard, the iLembe Chamber is supported by a team of professional branding specialists who, with the support of the mentors, assist the finalists in developing a unique corporate identity as well as related branding.

The Programme’s highlight is The Entrepreneur Exhibition, the final event at which the competition winner is also announced.