Business Partners Limited, which supports entrepreneurs with financing, launched its Basadi-Women Growth Fund at Durbanville Hills Winery recently.

A total of 110 female entrepreneurs attended the event on Wednesday 25 March.

The Basadi-Women Growth Fund is a R90 million funding initiative by Business Partners Limited that was established by the Rupert family in 1981.

The Basadi-Women Growth Fund provides tailored finance of between R250 000 and R5 million to help women-owned, small- and medium- businesses grow and scale.

“It is specifically designed for viable businesses that may not qualify for traditional funding, and also offers added support such as mentorship, networking and flexible repayment options. The finance can be used for property acquisition, working capital, asset or equipment finance, acquisitions or takeovers, start-up franchises or as replacement finance,” said René Botha, regional investment manager and spokesperson for the Basadi-Women Growth Fund.

Full product presentation

Botha gave a full product presentation on the fund, also explaining the heart behind the fund and why it was launched.

Fatima Davids, founder of Corpchem, was interviewed at the event by Botha and she told the audience her story.

In 2017, with just R14 in her pocket and two sons to care for, Davids relocated to Cape Town to pursue opportunity. “Failure was simply not an option. I then started Corpchem, a chemical manufacturer. Today, I am growing my business even further and was the very first recipient of the Basadi-Women Growth Fund,” she said.

The fund assisted her to purchase a toilet paper manufacturing machine.

Dream big

Davids’ message during the interview to all female entrepreneurs who attended was to dream big, go for it and start their own business. “If I can do it, any other female entrepreneur can do it too,” she said at the launch.

She also reiterated the importance of financial literacy among female entrepreneurs and the understanding of their business figures and numbers, so that if a funder asks questions, they can answer it immediately, and not rely on the accountant for information.

“We took the leap of faith to submit our application for this funding. It’s really a blessing that Business Partners Limited has decided to walk this journey with us, breathing new life into our company’s vision. What has happened here is a game changer for us.”

Davids further reiterated the number of times she was declined in the past when applying for business funding, which makes her even more grateful for this fund and the opportunity it is giving her to grow her business even further. She will be one of the first female business owners in Cape Town to have her own toilet paper manufacturing machine.

• Visit www.businesspartners.co.za for more info on the Basadi-Women Growth Fund.

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