Mentees in entrepreneurship at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Nokhuthula Hloniphani Mavela, Ms Anani Snenhlanhla Nani and Business Administration student, Mr Qinisani Mangeni, were given the golden opportunity to be part of the three-day Entrepreneurship Venture Builder (EVB) programme by THENSA which took place in Cape Town last week.
DUT was in full form as one of the partners of the awe-inspiring event which showcased 27 mentees from six various South African universities and one Namibia University of Science and Technology.
The Entrepreneurship Venture Builder (EVB) programme became an excellent platform for personal and professional development where DUT mentees demonstrated remarkable confidence and skill in navigating the challenges of public speaking.
The mentees’ ability to articulate their ideas effectively and engage with the audience showcased not only their hard work but also their progress throughout the mentoring process.
Under the guidance of DUT’s THENSA manager Dr Pinkie Ntola, was extremely happy with the success of the event. She indicated that she had enjoyed her role of assisting teams (applicants) in navigating challenges in market strategy, product development, and potential investor partnerships.
DUT mentee, Ms Nani, a third year Urban and Regional Planning student at DUT shared more on her sterling experience, saying that it was an incredible one. “It felt like a culmination of everything I’ve learned at DUT through Innobiz and other entrepreneurship programmes. The training I received at DUT truly prepared me for this moment, and THENSA provided the perfect stage to refine my idea, engage with investors, and receive mentorship that will help me take Inan Aeroponics Farming to the next level.
Inan Aeroponics Farming is a game-changing approach to agriculture by using a modular, soil-less farming system that drastically reduces water usage while maximising crop yield.
She further explained that the calibre of mentees from other universities was impressive. She relayed that their innovations spanned multiple industries-renewable energy, urban mobility, sustainable recycling, beauty and wellness, and even tech-driven jewellery. “Engaging with them was both inspiring and motivating, as it pushed me to think critically about how I can refine and future-proof my own business model,” she shared.
Giving insight into her pitch, she indicated that it went exceptionally well. “Thanks to my prior experience with innobiz, I was confident, structured, and well-prepared. With only five minutes to pitch, I was able to concisely present my problem statement, solution, unique value proposition, target market, competition analysis, business model, and financial projections. Having trained extensively in pitching, this felt natural, and I received valuable feedback from investors and mentors,” she said.
The highlight of the conference for Nani was listening to Mr Sven, founder of Black Wolf Group, as he shared his entrepreneurial journey-the struggles, the lessons, and the perseverance that led to his success.
“The real work starts now. I need to start approaching my target market and testing my Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Acquiring a strategic space-ideally near campus or in the CBD-will be crucial for launching our pilot project. While I’ve gained extensive theoretical knowledge, it’s now time to put it into action and validate my business model in the real world,” she echoed.
He advice for other students is to participate in such programmes.
“Exposure is key-these events connect you with industry leaders, investors, and fellow innovators who challenge and inspire you. For DUT students, the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) are excellent starting points to develop and showcase their ideas,” she shared.
She indicated further that she had reinforced her belief in the power of networking, preparation, and execution. “Having a great idea is just the beginning-it’s the ability to refine, test, and scale that defines success. Now, the focus is on execution, and I’m ready to take that next step,” she concluded.
Adding to the conversation was mentee, Mangeni, who further shared that his experience at THENSA Cape Town was good. “My presentation and presentation skills faired a lot, my content was clear, concise and engaging. I highly recommend attending entrepreneurship conferences to fellow students. Being part of a community of entrepreneurs was incredible. We shared experiences, supported each other, and celebrated our successes,” he said.
Giving further insight into her beautiful experience was Ms Nomnikelo Lundall, Intellectual Property Manager (Interim): Technology Transfer and Innovation.
She shared that her personal experience at THENSA in Cape Town during the three-day pilot workshop was enriching, as it featured a diverse cohort of mentees from various universities, each contributing unique perspectives that made their well-prepared presentations engaging.
“The calibre of mentees from various universities was impressive, each contributing unique insights and engaging presentations that sparked meaningful discussions,” she expressed.
Lundall relayed that the DUT mentees presentations went well, allowing them to share their ideas, receive constructive feedback from peers and mentors and receive constructive feedback on their technology readiness levels (TRL).
“The projects were at various stages, one was in the ideation phase, another was in the proof-of-concept stage, and the third had a market-ready prototype,” she said.
For Lundall, the highlight from the conference was witnessing the collaborative spirit among mentees and the insightful discussions that followed each session. “I learnt the significance of interdisciplinary dialogue and the necessity of presenting your work with confidence. On the final day, delegates from other institutions like me, had an opportunity to give feedback by asking questions about minimum viable product (MVP) during hybrid pitches.,” she mentioned.
Lundall shared on what is forthcoming in terms of what she had learnt from such a conference.
“I recognised the value of networking and interdisciplinary collaboration, understanding that the EVB mentor programme is not a competition but a mentorship opportunity, where mentors and investors from the industry are eager to collaborate and support the growth of mentees.
She highly recommended such events to other students, as they provided invaluable experience and exposure to new ideas and perspectives.
Overall, Lundall elaborated that the key takeaway from the Entrepreneurship Venture Builder (EVB) programme was the emphasis on continuous learning and collaboration, elements which are essential for the collective growth at DUT.
Pictured: DUT mentees and DUT staff at THENSA.
Waheeda Peters
