Do you have what it takes to stand your ground as a young entrepreneur with an out-of-the-box business idea? Then the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Leopards Lair Competition is just for you!
Since 2017, many students have entered, but only a few have won. The competition aims to identify top student entrepreneurs and showcase their business ideas and invite investment into their student businesses. During the competition, our ‘studentpreneurs’ receive training on idea generation, the idea to concept, business model canvas, and pitch training. Then the finalists present their business models to a panel of judges and three winners are chosen. From undergrad to postgrad; all registered NWU students are welcome to apply and take their first steps toward turning their business dream into reality!
So… take a look at some of the previous years, get to a drawing board, and remember to register on time!
A look at leopard’s past…
In 2018, the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology Transfer invited students from NWU and VUT to participate in Leopards Lair. From over 100 applicants, the top 15 entrepreneurs made it to the finals and pitched their ideas (TV show style) to the judges. Take a look, take some notes, and take your business idea to the next level!
The top three winners of the NWU’s Leopard’s Lair Competition (2018) were Olwethu Mvelo (third place), Sydwell Sihlangu (runner-up) and Boitshepo Gopane (winner). They shared the prize money of R100 000.
In 2019, Melanie Pieterse (then an NWU final-year student in Industrial Engineering) won the Leopards Lair competition with her venture ‘The Period Package’ – a subscription system that sees women receive a special care package each month containing sanitary products as well as a pick-me-up surprise.
You can read more about Melanie and her win on our newsroom.
In 2020, the NWU dominated in the Leopards Lair Competition scoring two places in the undergraduate category, and all three in the postgraduate category!
You can read more on our newsroom.