{"id":7094,"date":"2025-05-23T15:33:25","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T13:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=7094"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:35:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:35:42","slug":"bolt-and-gauteng-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/bolt-and-gauteng-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Bolt and Gauteng Department Empower Local Entrepreneurs Through Urban Fund Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Gauteng is putting innovation into drive, literally.<\/strong> In a spirited partnership between the <a href=\"https:\/\/bolt.eu\/en-za\/sustainability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bolt Urban Fund<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.gov.za\/Departments\/DepartmentDetails\/CPM-001003\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gauteng Department of Economic Development<\/a>, a new wave of entrepreneurship is gaining momentum\u2014one that supports ride-hailing drivers and boosts township economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Live from the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pranary.com\/bolt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bolt Accelerator Programme<\/a> Award Ceremony<\/strong>, this groundbreaking initiative highlights how strategic collaborations can promote <strong>SMME development<\/strong>, foster <strong>job creation<\/strong>, and drive <strong>inclusive economic growth<\/strong> across Gauteng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/gauteng-government-prioritises-jobs\/\">Gauteng Government Prioritises Jobs, Safety, Ethics and Infrastructure in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-driving-small-business-dreams-forward\">Driving Small Business Dreams Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of the event was a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and grit. Ten enterprising Bolt drivers were awarded <strong>\u20ac2,000 each (approximately R40,000)<\/strong> to fund their ride-hailing-related business ideas. The funding comes after a comprehensive accelerator programme designed to equip drivers with entrepreneurial skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants received intensive training, mentorship, and business development support. On the final day, they pitched their ideas to a panel of judges in a bid to secure seed funding. The top 10 emerged victorious, showcasing concepts with the potential to reshape Gauteng\u2019s <strong>urban mobility<\/strong> and <strong>digital services<\/strong> sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image.jpeg\" alt=\"Bolt expands Bolt Accelerator Programme to SA\" class=\"wp-image-7104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-768x509.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1568733584\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-shared-vision-government-and-private-sector-partnership\">A Shared Vision: Government and Private Sector Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itweb.co.za\/article\/bolt-expands-bolt-accelerator-programme-to-sa\/RgeVDqPRDj17KJN3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The initiative<\/a> is part of the <strong>Bolt Urban Fund<\/strong>, a platform designed to drive change in urban communities by investing in small businesses and sustainable projects. Partnering with the <strong>Gauteng Department of Economic Development<\/strong> brought local relevance, policy alignment, and a broader vision: <strong>#GrowingGautengTogether<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This collaboration reflects our commitment to building a resilient township economy. Empowering ride-hailing drivers as entrepreneurs will help close the unemployment gap, particularly among youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Bolt expands Bolt Accelerator Programme to SA\" class=\"wp-image-7103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-2.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-2-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-2-768x509.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-behind-the-wheel-to-boardroom-leadership\">From Behind the Wheel to Boardroom Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most drivers involved in the accelerator come from underserved communities and townships across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane. This initiative opens the door for many to transition from being gig workers to <strong>micro-enterprise owners<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business ideas ranged from vehicle maintenance cooperatives to ride-hailing solutions for school transport and elderly mobility services. Each proposal had to demonstrate scalability, community benefit, and alignment with Gauteng\u2019s digital and green economy priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By supporting these drivers, the programme contributes directly to <strong>township revitalisation<\/strong>, a key pillar of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.gov.za\/Announcements\/AnnouncementDetails\/%7B2db49c25-2ea0-45bd-80f4-d06c2464f2ba%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gauteng\u2019s <strong>Growing Gauteng Together 2030 strategy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-283991818\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-making-smmes-the-engine-of-growth\">Making SMMEs the Engine of Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seda.org.za\/AboutUs\/Pages\/About%20us.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)<\/a><\/strong>, SMMEs contribute over <strong>40% to South Africa\u2019s GDP<\/strong> and employ around <strong>60% of the workforce<\/strong>. However, access to funding, mentorship, and structured support remains limited, especially in the township economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHECK OUT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/uber-vs-bolt-a-look-into-gautengs-e-hailing-services\/\">Uber vs Bolt: A Look into Gauteng\u2019s E-Hailing Services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bridging-the-gap-between-informal-work-and-formal-entrepreneurship\">Bridging the Gap Between Informal Work and Formal Entrepreneurship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bolt Accelerator Programme also helps shift perceptions around gig work. By creating pathways for drivers to develop business models, Gauteng is blurring the lines between informal income-generating activities and formal enterprise development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants now have access to a <strong>network of mentors<\/strong>, possible <strong>business partners<\/strong>, and ongoing support through <strong>Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP)<\/strong> and other development agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Bolt expands Bolt Accelerator Programme to SA\" class=\"wp-image-7102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-1.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-1-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-1-768x509.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1617202725\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-boost-for-gauteng-s-digital-and-green-economy\">A Boost for Gauteng\u2019s Digital and Green Economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This Bolt and Gauteng Department of Economic Development initiative is also aligned with the province\u2019s broader goals to build a <strong>digitally enabled<\/strong>, <strong>green<\/strong>, and <strong>inclusive economy<\/strong>. Many of the projects presented during the award ceremony integrated sustainable practices and tech-driven solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These align with current priorities to promote <strong>green mobility<\/strong>, reduce urban congestion, and make township transport more efficient and environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-blueprint-for-scalable-impact\">A Blueprint for Scalable Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The success of the Bolt Accelerator Programme demonstrates how <strong>public-private partnerships<\/strong> can ignite change at the grassroots level. With \u20ac20,000 (over <strong>R400,000<\/strong>) awarded in total, this is just the beginning of what could become a scalable model across other sectors and provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By nurturing entrepreneurship within Gauteng\u2019s ride-hailing community, the initiative lays a foundation for <strong>job creation<\/strong>, <strong>innovation<\/strong>, and <strong>economic resilience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the ceremony drew to a close, the energy in the room was unmistakable \u2014 hopeful, determined, and forward-looking. And with initiatives like this, Gauteng is not only growing \u2014 it\u2019s accelerating.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gauteng is putting innovation into drive, literally. In a spirited partnership between the Bolt Urban Fund and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, a new wave of entrepreneurship is gaining momentum\u2014one that supports ride-hailing drivers and boosts township economies. Live from the Bolt Accelerator Programme Award Ceremony, this groundbreaking initiative highlights how strategic collaborations can<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":7101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Gauteng is putting innovation into drive, literally. In a spirited partnership between the Bolt Urban Fund and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development,...","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,47,48],"tags":[1939,1940,1941,756],"class_list":{"0":"post-7094","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-car-reviews","8":"category-news","9":"category-transport","10":"tag-bolt","11":"tag-bolt-sa","12":"tag-gauteng-department-of-economic-development","13":"tag-gauteng-province"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7094"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7107,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7094\/revisions\/7107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}