Funded by J.P. Morgan, The Small Business Boost Programme aims to promote small business growth and job creation for those involved in providing solutions for the green economy, by empowering entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and resources to grow in this sector.

“I am super excited to be selected to be part of this programme,” says Reinink.

We had the first session on business models in February, which was highly informative. The group of 50 participants are all people with an interest in the green economy, so there are lots of synergies and great networking opportunities. I am very much looking forward to applying the knowledge to both Solid Green and GreenED in the coming months.

The programme includes four months of business training on the subjects of business modelling and planning, marketing, finance, operations management, leadership skills and new business development as is relevant to the green economy; six months of support services, including monthly mentorship sessions and coaching circles and networking events; field visits, soft skills workshops, and entrepreneur guest lectures; and four dialogue events with the manufacturing/green economy sector to share perspectives on sector challenges.

The objectives are to enable participants to foresee and address challenges faced by businesses in the green economy sector; market relevant solutions; anticipate and manage change better; navigate the supply chain of big businesses; approach financing for growth using unique modelling techniques relevant to the sector; learn how to overcome challenges using cutting-edge business management strategies relevant to the sector; and identify strategic growth opportunities that exist across the rest of the continent.