Apply for EDHE Entrepreneurship Inter-Varsity Competition for 2023

This article contains information on the DHE Entrepreneurship Inter-Varsity Competition for 2023.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), together with Universities South Africa and the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, is proud to announce the fifth annual National Entrepreneurship Intervarsity [2], taking place from March to November 2023. Funded by the University Capacity Development Programme and supported by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and SAB Foundation, this competition aims to identify, recognize, and showcase the top student entrepreneurs at South African public universities.

This year, the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity is expanding with the introduction of a new category, Research-Based Businesses, designed to encourage the commercialization of research by both students and university staff. This addition aims to foster innovation and support the development of research-based startups, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

EDHE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTER -VARSITY COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

• To participate in the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2023, students must be currently enrolled as undergraduate or postgraduate students at any of the 26 public universities in South Africa.
• Both full-time and part-time enrolment is acceptable, and students must be in good academic standing.
• Postgraduate students can only participate if they have been continuously enrolled in a university following their undergraduate degree.
• For Categories 2 to 5, participants must be the owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of the existing business entered into the competition and be primarily responsible for its operation.
• Each business can only be represented by one person throughout the competition.
• The business must have been in operation for at least three consecutive months before entering the competition and must have generated income or received some form of investment at the time of entry.

EDHE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTER -VARSITY COMPETITION APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Choose a category: Students can submit their innovative ideas or existing businesses in one of the five distinct categories, including New Business Ideas, Existing Business – Tech, Existing Business – Social Impact, Existing Business – General, and Research-Based Businesses.
2. Register online: Interested students can apply online at intervarsity.edhe.co.za/register [1].
3. Prepare a business plan: Participants must develop a comprehensive business plan outlining their ideas, strategies, and goals.
4. Submit your application: Submit your completed application and business plan before the deadline of 14th April 2023.
5. Participate in the competition: Selected participants will compete in various stages of the competition, including regional rounds, semi-finals, and the national finals.

By participating in the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity competition, student entrepreneurs can gain exposure, network with fellow entrepreneurs and investors, receive valuable feedback, access funding opportunities, and develop essential business skills. The competition offers an incredible opportunity for students to showcase their creativity, determination, and business acumen while contributing to the growth and development of South Africa’s economy.

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