To be a leading entrepreneurship centre in nurturing innovative and creative enterprises for sustainable development withintheAfricancontext
MISSION
To foster a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem through development programmes, strategic partnerships, and applied research aimed at building sustainable enterprises and contributing tolocal,national,andregionaleconomic growth.
The University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI) is based at the Mbombela Campus. UMPCFERI started operations in 2020 and aims to develop emerging entrepreneursinMpumalangaandbeyondin abidtoreducetheprevalentunemployment levels through entrepreneurial skills developmentandcommercializationofsmall businesses.
The primary focus of UMPCFERI is to develop students with business ideas into entrepreneurs with sustainable business ventures. In addition, supports start-up businesses to become sustainable businesses with defined growth strategies fromsurroundingcommunities.
Inthisregard,UMPCFERI’sprimarystrategy is to act as a consultation point and entrepreneurship support center that also creates a platform for peer learning collaborationandnetworkingopportunities
CFERI’S GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
THE INCUBATION MODEL
Our Incubation model seeks to provide intensive support for the mentees that have met entry criteria. Studentpreneurs that have not yet met the criteria are still supported and mentored during the pre-incubation phase, where they are guided as they refine their business concepts and prepare to start their ventures.
RENTINGFACILITIES
MARKETCOACHINGONSTRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
MEMBERS OF THE UMP-CFERI BOARD
2020 CFERI’S KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• INCEPTION OF UMPCFERI INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
• UMP PARTICIPATED VIRTUALLY IN EDHE NATIONAL ROUNDS DURING LOCKDOWN.
2021
PROF. A. STROEBEL DVC DVC RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION
2022
• CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP/MOA WITH SEDFA.
• STUDENTPRENEUR ADVANCED TO EDHE NATIONAL FINALS.
• CENTRE ACQUIRED STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SHARED WORKING SPACES AND THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP HUB.
• UMPCFERI WON THE BEST PITCH AWARD AT UNIIC SUMMIT (MALAYSIA).
• MOA SIGNED WITH 11 ASIAN UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM.
• 6 STUDENTPRENEURS COMPETED IN THE EDHE REGIONAL ROUNDS AND 3 ADVANCED TO THE NATIONAL ROUNDS.
2023
2024
• GRAND OPENING OF UMPCFERI, INCLUDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXHIBITION.
• HOSTED EDHE REGIONAL ROUNDS WITH 3 OTHER UNIVERSITIES.[3 WINNERS]
• HOSTED POP-UP MARKET (CBD, PARTNERSHIP WITH SEDFA).
• LAUNCHED UMP SWEEP CHAPTER WITH STANDARD BANK, OLD MUTUAL, ETC.
• UMP STUDENTPRENEURS WON BRAND FUSION SA PITCH TOUR (TOP 3 PRIZES IN MPUMALANGA).
• 2 STUDENTPRENEURS REPRESENTED MPUMALANGA AT THE CAPE TOWN INNOVATION SUMMIT (FUNDED BY TIA, MLAB, AND SET UP A START-UP).
• UMPCFERI TEAM WON 1ST PLACE IN THE PHILIPPINES (UNIIC HEALTH & WELLNESS IDEATHON) WITH THE MANGO AGROPROCESSING PROJECT.
• HOSTED THE 1ST UMP ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT. • HOSTED THE 1ST WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SWEEP).
• 1ST CONTRACT FROM THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT DEDT TO DEVELOP MPUMALANGA INFORMAL SECTOR POLICY.
• SIGNED MOU WITH TUT; RENEWED MOU WITH SEDA (FUNDING).
• CO-AUTHORED 2 BOOKS ON UNIVERSITY-LED ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
• SECURED EDHE EAO AND UCDP FUNDING.
• HOSTED AFRICA-ASIA ROUNDTABLE EVENT WITH MORE THAN 90 DELEGATES FROM MORE THAN 11 COUNTRIES.
Through the VC’s leadership and support, the UMPCFERI has grown into a flagship program at the university and a strategic platform that integrates academic excellence, research, policy influence, and community impact, positioning UMPnotonlyasahub ofknowledgebutalsoasacatalystforsustainable entrepreneurial development regionally, nationally,andglobally.
Provided one on one mentorship, Pitch practice polish. EDHE 2024 & 2025 regional rounds finalist. Won the 2024 Bambelela Competition. 2024 winner at the SEDFA Presidential awards
Innocent Masilela - Founder of Star Schools
Provided market strategies & linkages to corporate Mpumalanga corporate clients including University of Mpumalanga. Client participated in campus exhibition. provided incubation tenant office space.
