In 2014, Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, launched The Venture, a global competition to find and support promising entrepreneurs from around the world who Win the Right Way by providing the winners with invaluable contacts and mentorship from world-famous businessmen and women, and a share of USD1 million in financial investment.
Currently in its third successful year, Chivas Regal South Africa devised a new, unique and exciting platform to share The Venture: a ten-part televised Elevator Pitch series hosted by glamourous Top Billing presenter Lorna Maseko that will air on DSTV channel Mzansi Magic (161) at 19:28 from 26 December 2016 to 20 January 2017, Monday to Friday.
For the first time in global history, certain entrepreneurs who entered their ideas to South Africa’s leg of The Venture were selected to appear in Elevator Pitch episodes of just 120 seconds. Each episode gives an introduction of the contestant and shows them pitching their business ideas that “do good” to a Captain of Industry in only 35 seconds, affording them the opportunity to get into the Top 5 final where only one finalist will win R350 000 and the chance to represent South Africa in the USA.
The social entrepreneurs will present their business plans to an esteemed panel of judges and celebrities, including former CEO of multi-billion rand diversified African investment holding company Shanduka and current Executive Chairperson of Sigma Capital Phuti Mahanyele; IT influencer best known as the founder of fintech company Thumbzup Innovation Stafford Masie; and renowned entrepreneur and content architect Kojo Baffoe.
It is these prominent experts who will decide South Africa’s The Venture 2017 winner, investing R350 000 in their idea and allowing him or her to represent the nation at The Venture Year 3 final in the USA. The winner will be announced on Mzansi Magic.
“Over the last two years, we have shown our belief in and commitment to this philosophy by awarding USD2 million to start-ups globally that ‘do well by doing good’, because we believe purpose and profit can coexist,” says Shelley Reeves, Marketing Manager Scotch Whiskies at Chivas Regal.
Website: www.theventure.com
Twitter: @ChivasRegalSA
Facebook: Chivas Regal South Africa
