Page 20 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

programmes that promote innovation and entrepreneurial development. Looking ahead to the 2025/2026 cohort, CSERI aims to support 60 SMMEs. Over 120 applications were received for the upcoming incubation period, and following a rigorous recruitment and selection process, including vetting, shortlisting, and pitching, 30 SMMEs were selected for incubation and 30 for pre-incubation. Induction workshops were conducted for both groups.
The official launch of the 2025/2026 pre-incubation and incubation programme took place at the CSERI offices on the ML Sultan Campus. This year-long programme provides participants with access to business development training, coaching, mentorship, markets, and potential funders. It also prioritises the personal development of each entrepreneur, recognising that sustainable business growth begins with empowered individuals.
The 2025/2026 cohort is notably diverse, encompassing businesses across various sectors including cleaning services, healthcare, construction, manufacturing (such as perfumes and clothing), food and beverage, technology, information and consulting services, personal care and beauty, agriculture (ranging from crop production to poultry farming), energy, transportation, photography, and integrated business services.
In partnership with the Durban Textile and Leather Incubator, CSERI hosted a high-impact Design Thinking Workshop facilitated by Ms Nonkosi Brightness Nyawose.The session equipped SMMEs with practical, human-centred tools to address real-world business challenges. Entrepreneurs explored innovative thinking and reimagined their offerings, particularly within the textile and leather sectors. The workshop introduced key design thinking principles such as customer empathy, creative problem-solving, and agile thinking. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that fostered collaboration, experimentation, and a renewed customer-focused approach to business.
CSERI also collaborated with the Durban Textile and Leather Incubator to host a practical workshop titled Digital Marketing Strategies, facilitated by Ms Snelisiwe Hlongwane.This session aimed to equip SMMEs with effective tools and strategies to attract, engage, and retain customers in competitive markets. Participants gained valuable insights tailored to the marketing needs of their emerging enterprises.
In the Department of Architecture, honours students successfully submitted their entry for the prestigious Saint-Gobain International Student Contest. This milestone followed an earlier engagement session with a company representative, which provided key guidance and insights into the competition requirements.
2.6.2 Entrepreneurship Programmes and Competitions
The CI is supporting the establishment of a joint team comprising DUT and FUCTM undergraduate students to participate in the 2025 China Belt and Road International Undergraduate Medical Innovation Competition. Currently, CI is preparing two students from DUT’s Faculty of Health Sciences for their participation in the competition, which will take place in China in August 2025.
Preparations are also underway to organise the South African Youth
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Tour to China, scheduled for September 2025.
The KwaZulu-Natal International Energy, Education,Technology, and Research (KZN IEETR) initiative secured acceptance into both the Energy Class and AI Class at the MEBC 2026, which is expected to foster innovation and promote competitive student engagement in these sectors.
The 2025 JCI Durban Hackathon – Smart Cities Initiative, co-hosted by the Innobiz DUT and JCI Durban, brought together 68 students for a 24-hour hackathon. With guidance from industry mentors and partners such as the eThekwini Municipality and KZN EDTEA, students tackled urban challenges like smart waste management, youth unemployment, and food security. This initiative highlighted DUT’s contribution to the Smart City Vision 2030 and showcased the university’s commitment to societal transformation through innovation.
A Compliance Workshop was held to assist student entrepreneurs in understanding the legal and regulatory requirements for starting and operating businesses in South Africa. Attendees gained critical insights into compliance processes and the importance of maintaining legal and financial accountability.
The Women in Entrepreneurship Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), hosted in May 2025, supported 29 female student entrepreneurs at DUT. The event addressed gender-specific challenges and provided capacity-building, mentorship, and networking opportunities to empower women-led businesses and improve access to resources and funding.
The Wadhwani Entrepreneurship Training programme offered an online curriculum focused on developing entrepreneurial capabilities. Students were guided through topics including opportunity identification, business model development, and growth strategies.
Practical Agri Skills Training was delivered by the Agri Team at Alexandra Road Residence. Students were trained in crop production techniques, including seed planting and transplanting seedlings into tyres, ground plots, and other innovative mediums.
The 2025YAEI xABSAYouth Innovation Challenge brought together nearly 40 young entrepreneurs who pitched their ideas at the Indumiso Campus Innovation Hub. At the culminating Financial Inclusion Symposium hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in May 2025, DUT’s entrepreneurial excellence was recognised, with six of the KZN Top 10 winners emerging from DUT’s Innobiz Centre.
A notable highlight of the quarter was the success of innobiz DUT post-incubation entrepreneur who won R50,000 at the Kasi Pitching Challenge held in uMlazi by the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance. Competing under the theme “Digitising Your Business,” the founder and director of Nonkanyiso Funeral Services triumphed among six finalists, gaining significant visibility and support for her venture.
As part of entrepreneurship exhibitions, four DUT student entrepreneurs showcased their businesses at the ABSA Youth Innovation Challenge Day Symposium, promoting their ideas to investors, mentors, students, and university staff. Additionally,
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