World-class, innovative businesses with the highest potential to scale and grow are invited to enter the FNB Business Innovation Awards supported by Endeavor South Africa (EndeavorSA).

The FNB Business Innovation Awards are aimed at businesses that are able to demonstrate real innovation that has the potential to change the way an industry operates both locally and internationally. The businesses must be founder-led, exhibit high-growth potential and have the capacity to add substantial economic value by means of job creation.

All successful entries will go through EndeavorSA’s stringent selection process where the qualifying entrepreneurs will be interviewed by a selection judging panel, then shortlisted as FNB Business Innovation Awards Finalists.

All finalists will get an opportunity to present their businesses to a final judging panel. The winner will then be announced as the FNB Business Innovator of the Year and be awarded, by FNB Business, an all-expenses paid trip to attend the prestigious Endeavor International Selection Panel (ISP) taking place in New York.

At the ISP, they will meet and pitch their business to global business leaders and investors as well as rub shoulders with their peers from around the world. In addition, pending feedback from the panel about their business and capability as a global entrepreneur, the winner could walk away with the international recognition and prestigious title of an Endeavor Entrepreneur.

“Every entrepreneur that has aspirations for sustainable growth and international scale, should consider participating in the awards, for an opportunity to attend the Endeavor ISP and benefit from what Endeavor has to offer,” says Bevan Ducasse, CEO of wiGroup and FNB Business Innovation Awards 2016 winner.

“Being an ‘Endeavor Entrepreneur’ has assisted us in preparing for the journey ahead, as we look to take wiGroup to its next level of growth, while also contributing to economic growth and job creation in South Africa,” adds Ducasse.

The awards received a record number of entries from high-growth potential entrepreneurs in 2016 and are expected to do even better in 2017.

Entries are now open and will close on the 31 January 2017. Submissions can be made online at www.fnbbusinessinnovationawards.co.za.