Business Incubator
About
MVPI had a very interesting past, starting up as an Upliftment Enterprise Development project through Women Empowerment.
MVPI served as a hub where qualifying entrepreneurs were nurtured in accordance with client expectations.
5
years established
4
co-operatives trained
28
families directly impacted
80
families indirectly impacted
HISTORY
2015- Reason for establishing the incubator
- We realised the dire need of co-operatives or individual entrepreneurs within the clothing and textiles sector to be thoroughly trained on issues of quality, business management, marketing and other key areas.
- We embraced the Local Procurement Accord (LPA) which was agreed by all four constituencies at NEDLAC in October 2011. The clothing and textile sector was one of the targeted sectors and co-operatives were viewed as one of the vehicles through which the objectives of this accord can be realised.
- MVPI was then established in 2015 to launch a clothing and textiles incubator.
- In 2019, all co-operatives were suitably qualified to continue as strong independent small businesses.
- The incubation programme concluded in 2019
How our incubator made a difference:
The incubator served as a hub where qualifying entrepreneurs were nurtured to deliver in accordance with client expectations.
The objectives of the incubator have historically included:
- Identification of potential entrepreneurs within the clothing and textiles sector
- Formalising the entrepreneurs into co-operatives and ensuring their compliance with relevant legislation for the 3-year period.
- Supplying them with machinery.
- Demonstrated best design and sewing methodologies and technologies
Additional support provided to the co-operatives:
- Co-ops were provided with equipment to allow them to operate during times of power failures.
- All co-ops had Electrical Compliance Certificates which were issued during the period of the 3-year programme.
- Health and Safety inspections were conducted throughout the 3-year incubation programme.
- Members of the co-operatives received SAQA accredited training
- All co-operatives were in possession of a CIPC Essential Service Certificate for Extended Lockdown for the manufacturing of masks.
PRODUCTS
Textiles based product range
All co-operatives are able to manufacture:
- Face masks
- T-shirts
- Golf-shirts
- Beanies
- Pantsulas
- Hessian Bags
And many other textile products.