JUMP for Entrepreneurs
25 September 2020Marielle Hurter
Jump for entrepreneurs, or simply Jump for short, is the Western Cape Government’s digital platform for supporting the efforts of entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes across the province. This innovative tool allows entrepreneurs to better their business and access opportunities. Our goal is to offer solutions to some of the most common issues experienced by entrepreneurs and businesses as they start and grow, from the palm of their hand. Jump is available as an app for download on both Android through the Google Play Store and iPhone through the Apple AppStore (search ‘Jump for entrepreneurs’).
The app allows us to push notifications to users on new content, important events and business opportunities, so that they don’t miss a thing. There is a wide array of downloadable content and the Jump map allows you to be seen by others and to find business support, mentors, suppliers and network opportunities in your area.
The resources that Jump provides
Jump puts relevant and helpful information in front of entrepreneurs that want to start and/or grow their business as well as access to events and opportunities updated regularly. Entrepreneurs can also access simple How-to Guides that provide advice on how to go about doing things like starting your business, conceptualising your business idea, managing your cashflow and more.
The Jump platform also highlights useful Tools and Apps that allow you to leverage the power of digital technologies in running your business, such as financial management to marketing and others. JumpCast provides helpful podcasts from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs on a variety of issues affecting businesses, as well as providing tips and inspiration. JumpStart is an assessment tool that gives you personalised insights into where your business is doing well and where it needs attention, with recommendations to improve.
Access to funding is a fundamental obstacle to the survival and growth of SMMEs and the Funding Assist tool helps entrepreneurs to assess their funding readiness and provides an automated matching process. Funding Assist matches the user with over 600 funds from the private and public sector, including the Covid-19 relief funds, as and when they are made available to the market. Applications to the funds can be done via the platform.
To support specific sector growth, networking and collaboration Jump also offers an iGroup feature that enables industry groups, business associations and other entrepreneur communities to have their own on-line digital hub. This feature supports bespoke and efficient collaborative community ecosystem communication and interaction.
Collectively, these digital tools, applications, services, training and support networks are critical to enable entrepreneurs in the Province to start, survive, grow and thrive under normal circumstances, not to mention especially during the Covid-19 lockdown period and these trying times.
Click on the link below to read Minister Maynier’s Jump press release on 7 April 2020.
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/jump-app-launched-support-businesses-western-cape
What the future holds
The www.bizjump.co.za website continues to enable access to an online version of the platform for entrepreneurs and those that want to use the platform on devices such as laptops and computers.
We continue to partner with key stakeholders to generate new value add features such as direct access to the Western Cape Government tenders within the app and others coming soon.
Watch this space, and download the app if you haven’t already!
