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3 Ways to Support Crowdfunding Campaigns

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Have you ever had a friend share their business link with you and you don’t know what to do with it? Have you ever found yourself in a tight position where you are not able to support a business, and wonder what next to do? Here are three ways you can support them.

1. Donate

Small business owners and creatives love what they do and are passionate about what they believe in. Often, they start crowdfunding campaigns to get them to where they need to be. This is why funding them with as much as you can, can go a long way. Set aside as much as you can spare for that friend with a crowdfunding campaign, and make sure to donate. Funding may help them to get that machine they’ve been longing for to be more effective at preparing orders. Funding could also get them a means to hire help or even get more funding. You never know; that little you give, goes a long way to get them their dream.

2. Buy a Reward

Crowdfunding is a great way to pilot products that are not yet in the market. It’s an easy cost effective way to test the market, as entrepreneurs don’t necessarily need to have the products ready before they begin to sell. For you as the funder, you get to buy an awesome untried and unique product, to which you can offer feedback on and help improve the product.

For the entrepreneur, that feedback goes a long way into refining the product for a wider market range. This means that your feedback can be used to suit a larger market. What great way to know that you were part of the great journey to a great product?

Moreover, entrepreneurs tend to innovate, adding unique spins on the things they offer in order to keep customers returning. This means, the products you’ll see at a small business’ campaign are usually more personalized, and unique items that you won’t see in the big-box stores. You also get special memberships and great discounts when buying through a crowdfunding campaign

3. Share the Campaign

There are times when a link is shared with you to fund a campaign or buy a product but you are not in a position to do either. Then this step is going to be really easy for you.

By supporting a small business, through sharing their link, you are giving them more chances to be funded or to be known. It’s sort of like soft marketing. The publicity they’ll gain from the link share, will bring more people to their campaign and thus will more likely lead them to get funded.

Sharing a campaign is easy and it costs you less. It could be retweeting their link, reposting their posts, or even forwarding their WhatsApp message to your story, or even telling other people about it. Remember, small-business owners treasure the relationships they have with all of their customers and friends. They rely on friends, family and customers to not only help them earn a profit but also to spread the word to others about their company. 

Conclusion

Elon Musk once said that it is high time we start holding business showers just as much as baby showers. We need to come together and celebrate each other’s businesses, and art, by funding them, trying out their products or even sharing about their businesses with our networks.

It’s important to remember that small businesses and creatives play a major role in supporting the overall economy and their local communities. From providing a hometown feel for localities to working hard to know their neighbors, these small companies do a lot to help others who live nearby in many different ways.

When it comes to showing your support for small businesses, it’s important to do so, and not just to help them gain revenue and stay operational. Everything from the local clothing boutique to the corner cupcake bakery relies on the support of loyal customers to keep its doors open, and when you spend money at a small business, you’ll gain plenty of wonderful benefits as well.

If you would like to see which campaigns you can donate, buy a reward from or share, head out to Thundafund.com.

5 Reasons You Should Support A Crowdfunding Campaign

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Crowdfunding is the art of raising funds online through a platform. It is simply an online fundraising which eliminates the need for extra costs like venue, food, which are incurred through the traditional fundraising method. While there are many benefits for those who are crowdfunding, what advantages does it present to funders? Here are a few…

When you support a small business, you support a dream. – Anonymous
When you support a small business, you support a dream. – Anonymous

You Get to Support What You Believe In

Do you believe in supporting mobility-challenged people? Do you believe in causes that support children?

Many people who would like to do more for their communities, often wonder where they can access these organizations and offer their support. Well, in crowdfunding platforms, there are quite a good number of campaigns that are raising funds for different causes. As such, if you are passionate about something, head to crowdfunding platforms and check out which campaigns you can support. Take a look at this campaign: #keep a child in school by KAWE Kenya.

It’s an Opportunity to Enjoy Cool Products

Many crowdfunding campaigns are used to launch products that are not available in the market. If you would like to test out something that others may not have, then supporting a campaign, through buying a reward, is a great way to go.

Check out this campaign The Utulav Toilet Campaign by Syna Consultancy Limited. They are launching a new toilet in the market, specific for the paraplegic or mobility-challenged people. Or check out these cool t-shirts from A Jam Session with Buhlebendalo & Friends campaign.

Enjoy Returns on Investment

Investment crowdfunding campaigns can be a great way to gain returns for funders. Some of them can offer you equity to a company that may one day become a big deal.

Indeed, there are risks involved with investments. However, if you read the terms and conditions well, and invest only the amount you are willing to loose, and take a little risk, you may get to enjoy great returns.

Their Success is Your Success

Entrepreneurs and creatives head to crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for their ideas and businesses. When they succeed and start their business or expand their art, since you funded them, then you succeed too. There’s great joy and satisfaction in seeing others succeed and knowing that you were a part of it. Go ahead and support a campaign.

It’s A Networking Opportunity

Ever wondered who else is interested in what you like? Ever wondered what lessons they can share with you? Try supporting a campaign.

Through supporting a campaign, you get to network with project creators. You can benchmark with them, compare notes, learn what they know, who they know and the where. This can come in handy especially if you are looking to enter into the same industry or field.

Conclusion

Crowdfunding campaigns come in many forms and categories ranging from film and animation, food and beverage, fashion, music, art and entertainment, engineering and mechanics, personal causes, non-profit causes education to much more.

As a funder, you are spoilt for choice on which campaign to support.

Standard Bank Thundafund Partnership Terms & Conditions

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2.1       The project will start on 18 October 2021 and end at midnight on 31 December 2023

2.2       All comments and advertisements may be featured on the Standard Bank and Thundafund social media pages or through any digital or advertising means at the sole discretion of Standard Bank and Thundafund teams to promote the movement and campaigners.

3    Who is eligible to enter the competition

3.1      This competition is aimed at all small business owners in South Africa

3.2       A participant (‘participant‘) must:

3.2.1  be 18 years or older;

3.2.2   reside in South Africa; and

3.2.3   be a small business owner; and

3.2.4 have a business bank account with Standard Bank; and

3.2.5 Women-owned business; OR

3.2.6 Youth-owned business; OR

3.2.7 Business operating in a rural area; OR

3.2.8 Business affected by a natural disaster or civil unrest e.g. flooding or the riots, civil unrest and looting in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng in 2021.

3.2.9 Standard Bank reserves the right to make the final decision whether or not a business will be eligible for matching funds.

4    How to participate in the competition

Participants must complete the following tasks to get an entry:

4.1.1         List their essential expenses right now – how much money they have available and how much they are going to need to overcome this crisis. This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

4.1.2         Map their network – make a list of everyone that has their back (customers, friends, family, etc). This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

4.1.3         Identify what future reward can be offered in exchange for cash – this could be product or service discounts, merchandise or even a share of future revenue streams. This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

4.1.4        Complete registration on Thundafund’s site and accept Thundafund’s terms and conditions here (https://blog.thundafund.com/how-does-thundafund-work/terms-and-conditions/). 

4.1.5         Businesses will receive templates, guidance, cohort-based training and peer learning through Thundafund to position and create an effective campaign.

5.1.1         Submit their campaign through the online campaign process on the  Thundafund website– for review, approval and activation by Thundafund.

5.1.2         Once approved, their campaign will go live and participants can begin sharing their campaign online.)

5.1.3       Various digital media advertising of the movement will elevate their campaign, but the campaigner is solely responsible for the effectiveness of their campaign.

5.1.4       Rally their network to support their business by supporting and sharing their campaign.

6     General

6.1       All information relating to this competition and published on any promotional material will form part of these terms and conditions.

6.2       The promoter, its associated companies, its agents, contractors and sponsors assume no liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from an entrant’s participation in the competition or for any loss or damage.

6.6       By entering this competition, all participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, the terms and conditions of Standard Bank and by the terms and conditions of Thundafund.

6.7       The promoter is not liable for any accident, injury, harm, death, damages, costs and/or loss sustained by the prizewinner and/or any other person who participates in the prize with the prizewinner, at any point during the fulfilment of such prize.

7     Further enquiries

For more information and all questions about this competition please email us at support@thundafund.com or visit http://www.thundafund.com

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Thundafund?
Thundafund is South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform. Through Thundafund, entrepreneurs with their respective projects & ideas can raise capital and build a supportive crowd of backers through the process of crowdfunding.

2. Who is SABRI (South Africa Business Resource Institute)?
It is a non-profit company that contributes to poverty reduction and economic transformation through job creation, enterprise development, skills capacity building and focuses on the long term developmental needs of communities, young entrepreneurs and women

3. What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is an online way of raising money for your projects via small contributions by a large number of people.
There is a set time frame in which to raise the money and all the people who give money receive a reward in return for their support. 

4. Why Crowdfund?

  • Debt-free, low-risk – You are not required to pay back your supporters since you are offering your supporters rewards in exchange for their contributions. Rewards are an incentive to backers to pledge their money according to how much they’re willing to contribute. 
  • Marketing – Crowdfunding is a good way to market your goods or services to a larger pool of individuals who may be interested in purchasing your products.
  • Increased Sales – Crowdfunding allows you to tap into a new group of potential customers which will lead to a boost of sales.

5. How do I get people to contribute towards my campaign?
Reach out to your networks and encourage people to support you and spread the word to their networks to bring the crowd in. Your networks will include;

  • People closest to you, the project and the company e.g. friends, family, close supporters and trustees. Ask these people to reach out to at least 10+ other people 
  • People who know you, the project or the company e.g. Mailing List, Social Media friends and followers
  • Marketing towards people who would be interested in the goods or services you have to offer ’The Shoppers’

7. What are the terms and conditions for the matching funds?

  • Each qualifying campaign can receive up to R50,000 in matching funds.
  • Matching funds will be activated as soon as you have raised R3,000 on your campaign. 
  • Matching funds will be applied on a 1:1 basis
    e.g. Raise R5,000 from your own network, get a R5,000 match. Your total raised will be R10,000. 


8. Are there any fees applied to my project?. 

Yes. Thundafund receives a platform fee of;

  • 7% for businesses
  • 5% for NGOs

3rd party fees and administration transaction fees, depending on the payment method can range from 3% – 5.5%, which is paid by the Project Creator. The payment method, EFT transfers carry a R10 fee per transaction.

9. Can one extend their campaign in case they need more time?
Yes, this is possible. This is possible by notify our support team through support@thundafund.com

10. When does one receive the funds?
One receives funds approximately 1-2 weeks after the campaign comes to an end. Thundafund takes about 4 days to follow up on any pending payments and then proceeds to reconcile all successful payments.

5 Ways to Growing Your Business

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Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.

James Cash Penney

Growing a small business can be quite a challenging task for any entrepreneur. Often bombarded by numerous advice and tactics that may have worked for larger corporations, small businesses tend to find themselves in quite the fit on which method to apply. So, here are 5 methods to growing your business.

Know Your Customers!

Who are your customers? What are their needs? Do your products/services realize these needs?

Personalize your services and encourage your customers to give you feedback. Remember, if you are looking to grow, their feedback, whether positive or negative, can be the best insight on what to improve or change in order to grow.

Good Old Customer Service! No amount of marketing and advertising can replace the good old customer service. Every business requires a human touch. When you go an extra mile of providing assistance to your existing customers, they will be left with an excellent memory of what great service feels like. This amazing service will serve you best for referrals, and referrals amount to more sales. So, get that customer happy!

Look for New Opportunities. Once you’ve nurtured your current customers and listened to their feedback, look for new ideas to explore into your business. Your customers often guide you on which other services or products they would like. Look into those recommendations and see how to implement them. Remember, with each new venture, your customer base will be growing. Once you have reached the new customers, apply the good old customer service techniques and win them over!

D. Social Listening

Social Media is a great marketing tool to promote your business to potential customers, while keeping in touch with the existing ones. Through the social media channels, you can implement a smart strategy called Social Listening. This is finding out what customers are saying about your business. Through this, you will figure out;

  • What their behaviors are,
  • What things they look out for in social media posts, plus more.

This will help you to know how to position your social media content in a way that is more relevant and beneficial to your customers. Remember, useful content for your customers leads to great brand awareness.

E. Networking

Once you have done all the above, you now need to concentrate on building a network. This is not only a place for customers but also suppliers, industry experts, other businesses, partners, etc.

How do you build a network you ask?

  • Attend networking events like webinars.
  • Host events like webinars
  • Do show-rounds to your stores,
  • Participate in community events

These events help you to talk about your business, build stronger customer relationships, and get advice from other industry stakeholders. Moreover, if you’re looking to build your company profile, networking is the best way to go.

Well, now that you are done, the process does not stop. Go back and do it all over again.

Want to learn how to start your business? Read The Art of Starting Small: 5 Steps

You can also register here for our monthly webinar on 5 Marketing Strategies to Help Grow Your Business.

The New Way for Businesses in The Gambia

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For years, entrepreneurs in Africa have struggled with raising funds for their businesses. Thundafund provides an alternative way of raising funds through crowdfunding. Here’s how…


Since 2018, the UNCDF launched its program JSF in The Gambia to finance jobs, skills and finance for women and youths. This program will run until 2022 and its main objective is to reduce poverty through improved inclusive and sustainable growth and employment. But how can it do this? The answer is rather simple…

By helping entrepreneurs access funds for their businesses.

In 2013, Thundafund launched in South Africa and later in Kenya in 2019, and finally The Gambia in 2020. Since its inception, over $4.8M has been raised by entrepreneurs across Africa. During our pilot, over $10,000 has been raised by Gambian entrepreneurs. Over 300 Gambian campaigns have since been launched, raising funds for business growth and sustainability.

But What is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or a venture by raising small amounts of money from a large group of people. In simple terms, it is an online fundraising!

HOW DID IT BEGIN? The history of crowdfunding is traced back to the funding of the Statue of Liberty in 1885; however, it gained prominence with the emergence of the internet. It later became mainstream following the 2008 financial crisis, where the failure of banks to support businesses gave this concept a crutch. Thus, many successful businesses depended on crowdfunding to raise funds. This trend has spread across the world since.

WHAT OF AFRICA? Africa, is not new to crowdfunding. Fundraising has been part of our culture and heritage for years. With Stokvel in South Africa, Harambee in Kenya and Susu in The Gambia, raising large amounts of money for different projects e.g. tuition fees, buying lands, funding businesses, our continent is already set to go the online way!

IS CROWDFUNDING FOR ME? YES!! Crowdfunding is for anyone and everyone! There are different types of crowdfunding, and each is designed to suit your specific needs as an entrepreneur. Thundafund offers you 3 types of crowdfunding: Donations for early stage businesses and non-profit, rewards for businesses with products or services, and investment for already established businesses.

What Types of Crowdfunding Are There?

Donation-based Crowdfunding is the simplest form of crowdfunding as nothing is expected in return for backers contributions. This type is best for nonprofit ventures such as raising funds for community projects, children foundations, and any other of the like. For businesses and organizations looking to give their supporters something in return, read on . . .

Reward-based Crowdfunding where the entrepreneur gets to offer incentives as rewards to the people who fund the project (the backers). These incentives can be: merchandise produced by the business e.g. bags, shoes, bottles, books, etc., vouchers, or even discounts for a future service or product. Reward-based crowdfunding is great for new businesses that wish to test out their products in the market and get funding at the same time. And also for existing businesses that want to grow or launch a new product in the market.

It’s almost like killing three birds with one stone, because the crowdfunding project acts as a marketing opportunity, a product-testing opportunity, and a financing option for the business. The benefits of this kind of crowdfunding are endless.

Investment Crowdfunding is relatively new in Africa, and Thundafund is proud to be a pioneer of this new concept! The entrepreneur gets to raise funds (a slightly larger sum than most donations and reward projects) through smaller investments from many investors. The investor (backer) will then have their investment repaid with a fixed return over a period of time, depending on the revenue the business generates.

(If the business performs very well, investors are paid out sooner, if growth is slower, investors are repaid over a longer period of time). This mode is particularly great for established businesses seeking to get a boost in their capital to support their growth or expansion.

Pick a mode best suited for you!

You may be a part of a susu and you may be seeking to start that dream business. Setting up a campaign with Thundafund is quite easy. Moreover, our platform gives you the opportunity to present your business in an attractive way so as to market your business. And your susu can help you in this!

Even more, you get the chance to reach out to supporters beyond your susu!

Want to See More Gambian Campaigns?

Click here to see more!

BackaBusiness 28 Day Crowdfunding Challenge

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Thundafund and SimplyBiz powered by Nedbank, are proud to support small business and one of the ways we do that is with BackaBusiness. 2020 was all about survival, however, small businesses need to do more than just get through the month.
For the month of February we’re challenging you to show a small business some love. Support a crowdfunding campaign and receive rewards or discounted vouchers.

When you buy from a small business, you are helping them to pay the rent, support their families and continue to provide local employment. You get great value for money and that warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you gave back.

Will you be the difference?

Start a BackaBusiness Campaign

Things are DIFFERENT now so start doing business differently. Harness the power of the crowd to kickstart your 2021! 
Give your backers – friends, family, loyal and potential customers –  a reason to support you by offering them enticing discounted vouchers or rewards from your store.

Early Bird Incentive!

The first 25 campaigners who start a BackaBusiness campaign and raise R500, will receive a digital marketing campaign from SimplyBiz, valued at R1 500 to get more eyeballs seeing you! –  (consisting of the creation of Facebook and Google digital advert plus advertisement boosting and free Google My Business placement). 

What you need to do:

  • Calculate how much money you will need to kickstart your business into the new year. (Be specific and factor in your quiet months).
  • Map your network of potential backers – your customers, friends, family, neighbourhood etc.
  • Decide what rewards you can offer for cash now.
  • Register your business on SimplyBiz.co.za 
  • Start a project on the BackaBusiness page on Thundafund with your SimplyBiz email address.
  • Claim your Crowdfunding Handbook
  • Tell your story – why the crowd should support your business. We’ll help you!
  • Once your campaign is live – share it! Encourage your network to share it too. 

Become a backer, a small-business supporter – their difference maker – they need your vote!

Vote with your wallet: Contribute to your favourite small-business’s campaign and get a reward.

Vote with your heart: Like and share their campaign and encourage others to support.

Discover SimplyBiz businesses to support.

FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE WITH BACKABUSINESS

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From Surviving to Thriving! 

Thundafund and SimplyBiz powered by Nedbank, are proud to support small business and one of the ways we do that is with BackaBusiness. 2020 was all about survival, however, small businesses need to do more than just get through the month. 

Let’s have their backs as they look to re-build the future. 

This is everyone’s opportunity to support a local, small business owner by buying rewards or discounted vouchers. When you buy from a small business, you are helping them to pay the rent, support their families and continue to provide local employment. You get great value for money and that warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you gave back. 

What is it?

The BackaBusiness movement is a crowdfunding opportunity to support entrepreneurs with your heart and wallet, to help them grow and thrive in the ‘new normal’.  

This is trade, not aid.

New and growing small-business owners set up a campaign to raise funds, while backers support their chosen business:

  • on a buy now, redeem a reward basis; or
  • by investing in their new concept.

Be a BackaBusiness Campaigner

Things are DIFFERENT now so start doing business differently. Harness the power of the crowd to kickstart your 2021! Your customers helped you survive 2020, now enlist their help to thrive in 2021.

Give your backers a reason to buy now and redeem later by offering discounted vouchers or rewards, thus ensuring continued feet in your store, after the festive season.

It’s a win/win. Your customers are looking for gifts and treats, and you need the funds – give them an incentive to do their festive shopping with you.

Early Bird Incentive!

The first 25 campaigners who start a BackaBusiness campaign and raise R500, will receive a digital marketing campaign from SimplyBiz, valued at R1 500 (consisting of the creation of one Facebook and one Google digital advert plus advertisement boosting and free Google My Business placement). 

What you need to do:

  • Calculate how much money you will need to kickstart your business into the new year. (Be specific and factor in your quiet months).
  • Map your network of potential backers – your customers, friends, family, neighbourhood etc.
  • Decide what rewards you can offer for cash now.
  • Register your business on SimplyBiz.co.za 
  • Start a project on the BackaBusiness page on Thundafund with your SimplyBiz email address.
  • Claim your Crowdfunding Handbook.
  • Tell your story– why the crowd should support your business. We’ll help you!
  • Once your campaign is live – share it! Encourage your network to share it too. 

You helped them survive lockdown, now help them thrive! Become a backer, a small-business supporter– they need your vote!

Vote with your wallet:  

  • Contribute to your favourite small-business’s campaign and get a reward.
  • Buy your festive season gifts and treats from small businesses – it’s a gift that keeps on giving!

Vote with your heart: 

  • Champion, like and share their campaign by inspiring others to support. 
  • Volunteer your time or skills.

JOIN THE BACKABUSINESS MOVEMENT TODAY!

 Discover SimplyBiz businesses to support.

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Shifting Gears

Backabusiness 2 blog 1

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AT A POINT WHERE THE PATH YOU CHOSE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE?

The business landscape has shifted and many people are asking ‘What now?’

At Nedbank, we vote small business, and one of the ways we do this is by helping small-business owners close the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.

This is your opportunity to also back a business owner who   is either starting a business or re-energising their business – a daunting path in the current economic situation, so they need to know you’ve got their back.

What is it?

The BackaBusiness movement  is a crowdfunding opportunity to support entrepreneurs with your heart and wallet, to help them grow and thrive in the ‘new normal’.  The businesses you are about to support have taken the steps to:

  • Get into Gear to start up or start afresh; or
  • Change Gears to reimagine and redesign,

… and they need your support.

New and growing small-business owners set up a campaign to raise funds, while backers (like yourself) support their chosen business:

  • on a buy now, redeem later basis; or
  • by investing in their new concept.

This is trade, not aid.

Backabusiness 2 blog 2

Have a great idea but need funds to get it to market? Want to formalise your side hustle? Need to grow or pivot your business?

Register on SimplyBiz.co.za and sign up for the Shifting Gears bootcamp.

Covid-19 has changed the way we do business, so you need to do things differently too. Never has the need for strategising been greater. In the bootcamp you will action a viability and business plan to be ready to pitch in just eight steps.

Shifting Gears is designed to help entrepreneurs:

  • Get into Gear to start up or start afresh.
  • Change Gears to reimagine or redesign their business.

Use the power of the crowd with potential clients, family and friends.

A chance to win with Shifting Gears

  • On completion of the bootcamp you will be rewarded with a copy of either the Nedbank Business Companion Guide or The Book That Every Business Owner Should Read.
  • There is also a competition in which 200 entrepreneurs can win their share of R1 million in prizes (in advertising, coaching, cash for raising R5 000 in your BackaBusiness campaign or a website). Terms and conditions apply.

What you need to do:

  • Calculate how much money will you need to start or change your business. (Be specific).
  • Map your network of potential backers – your customers, friends, family, etc.
  • Decide whatfuture reward you can offer for cash now.
  • Register on SimplyBiz.co.za and complete either the Get into Gear or Change Gear bootcamps
  • Start a project on Thundafund with your SimplyBiz email address.
  • Claim your Crowdfunding Handbook with the ready-to-go marketing pack.
  • Tell your story– why the crowd should support your business. We’ll help you!
  • Once your campaign is live – share it!Encourage your network to share it too.

Backabusiness 2 blog 3

Be a backer, a small-business supporter– they need your vote!

Vote with your wallet:  

  • Contribute to your favourite small-business’s campaign and get a reward.
  • Champion their project by inspiring others to support.

Vote with your heart: 

  • Share their campaign on social media to your own network.
  • Volunteer your time or skills.

JOIN THE BACKABUSINESS MOVEMENT TODAY!

 Discover SimplyBiz businesses to support.

Shifting Gears terms and conditions

For more information visit simplybiz.co.za. 

SimplyBiz®: BackaBusiness movement with Thundafund

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Pizza ovens are cold, nail varnish is hardening, and gigs are cancelled. 

Small businesses are facing closure. They are not just statistics – they are our local restaurants, gym instructors and the people who know our name! We like their products and we trust them. We want them to survive the crisis.

What is it?
The BackaBusiness movement – is a crowdfunding opportunity for small businesses to survive lockdown and get back to business. Small business owners set up a campaign to raise emergency operational funds, while backers support their chosen business on a BUY now, REDEEM later basis.

AS  A BUSINESS OWNER
Overheads to pay, but no income?

Clients, family & friends are potential backers! Give them the opportunity to support you with their HEARTS AND WALLETS today.

Crowdfund your business through COVID-19, with people who have your back and stand a chance to WIN R10,000 in additional funding from SimplyBiz® powered by Nedbank.

Why should you get involved?

  • You’ll receive a preferential rate of 5%, plus templates, guidance and training through Thundafund to position and create an effective campaign.
  • Various digital media advertising on the BackaBusiness movement will elevate your campaign.  More eyes, means more potential backers.

What you need to do:

  1. List your essential expenses right now – how much money will you to need to overcome COVID-19?
  2. Map your network of potential backers – your customers, friends, family etc.
  3. Decide what future reward voucher you can offer for cash now.
  4. Register on SimplyBiz.co.za  then  Start a Project on Thundafund with the same email address.
  5. Tell your story – why the crowd should support your business. We’ll help you!
  6. Submit your project for Thundafund to review.
  7. Once your campaign is live – share it! Encourage your network to share it too.

BE A BACKER, a small-business supporter – they need your VOTE!
Show your support for the small businesses we all depend on. This is not charity. It is about continuity. Let’s get them back to business!

VOTE for your favourite small business –

VOTE with your WALLET:  

  • Contribute to your favourite local business’ campaign & receive a reward voucher.  
  • When the business reaches R10 000, they will be placed into a draw to receive an additional R10 000 for their business, so VOTE with your

VOTE with your HEART: 

  • Share their campaign on social media to your own network.
  • Tell other businesses about the movement. 

NEDBANK EMPLOYEE CHALLENGE:
Nedbank employees are personally supporting their own favourite local small businesses, as their way of living the brand by doing good for individuals, businesses and society to be the difference. 

Will you take up the challenge too?

Join the BackaBusiness movement today!

1.  Start a Project on Thundafund

2. Discover SimplyBiz® businesses to support

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BackaBusiness Terms and Conditions

For more information and all questions about this competition please email us at contactus@simplybiz.co.za or visit simplybiz.co.za 

SimplyBiz®: BackaBusiness movement with Thundafund – Terms and conditions

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SimplyBiz®: BackaBusiness movement with Thundafund

Terms and conditions

1    Promoter

The competition is the result of collaboration between Nedbank Limited and Thundafund. Thundafund is the project manager.

2    Competition period

2.1       The competition will start on 20 April 2020 and end at midnight on 20 June 2020 (‘competition period’).

2.2       SimplyBiz® will contact the prizewinners by email at the address registered with SimplyBiz.

2.3       SimplyBiz® and Thundafund will jointly announce the prizewinners on social media.

2.4       All comments and advertisements may be featured on the SimplyBiz® and Thundafund social media pages or through any digital or advertising means at the sole discretion of the SimplyBiz® and Thundafund teams to promote the BackaBusiness movement and campaigners.

3    Who is eligible to enter the competition

3.1      This competition is aimed at all small business owners.

3.2       A participant (‘participant‘) must:

3.2.1  be 18 years or older;

3.2.2   reside in South Africa;

3.2.3   be a small business owner; and

3.2.4   be a registered member of SimplyBiz®.

3.3      The following persons, although meeting the criteria above, are not permitted to enter the competition:

3.3.1   The directors, members and employees of the promoter or their spouses, life partners or immediate family, including adopted persons but not half- or step-relations).

3.3.2  The suppliers and contractors of the promoter involved in this competition.

4    The competition

4.1       Small business owners will crowdfund their way through the Covid-19 crisis with the BackaBusiness movement, and those who raise R10 000 or more stand a chance of being 1 of 10 businesses to win an additional R10 000 to keep their business going.

5    How to participate in the competition

Participants must complete the following tasks to get an entry:

5.1.1         List their essential expenses right now – how much money they have available and how much they are going to need to overcome this crisis. This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

5.1.2         Map their network – make a list of everyone that has their back (customers, friends, family, etc). This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

5.1.3         Identify what future reward can be offered in exchange for cash – this could be product or service discounts, merchandise or even a share of future revenue streams. This is prework that participants must complete on their own, which will help with completing their campaign on Thundafund.

5.1.4         Register on SimplyBiz.co.za to qualify for the preferential Thundafund rate of 5% commission on raised funds, as a benefit of the BackaBusiness movement and to stand the chance to be included in the competition draw.

5.1.5        Complete the BackaBusiness campaign on Thundafund’s site and accept Thundafund’s terms and conditions here (https://blog.thundafund.com/how-does-thundafund-work/terms-and-conditions/) – based on the essential funds needed, with the email address that is used on SimplyBiz®. Upon registration on Thundafund, participant’s email address will be shared with SimplyBiz® to verify the participant’s registration on SimplyBiz®.

5.1.6         Businesses will receive templates, guidance, cohort-based training and peer learning through Thundafund to position and create an effective campaign.

5.1.8         Submit their BackaBusiness campaign through the online campaign process on the  Thundafund website– for review, approval and activation by Thundafund.

5.1.9         Once approved, their campaign will go live and participants can begin sharing their campaign online.)

5.1.10       Various digital media advertising of the BackaBusiness movement will elevate their campaign, but the campaigner is solely responsible for the effectiveness of their campaign.

5.1.11       Crowdfund a minimum of R10 000 from their network to be included in the draw to win an additional R10 000 towards their business.

5.1.12       Rally their network to support their business by supporting and sharing their campaign.

5.1.13       Three mid-campaign withdrawals will be accommodated on the 08th May 2020, 05th June 2020 and 22nd June 2020 by notification by the participant in writing to Thundafund.  Transfers are according to Thundafund’s terms and conditions.

5.1.14       Should the participant wish to continue their crowd-funding campaign post the competition closure, the participant would be required to set up another campaign with Thundafund at their standard rates.

6     The prizes

6.1       Ten businesses who meet competition requirements detailed here, will be placed in a drawn to win an additional R10 000 to keep their business going, and will be digitally, randomly drawn in two batches of five winners, according to the dates in clause 7.1 below.

6.2       The prizewinners must further be a duly mandated and authorised representative of their small business.

7     Selection of prizewinners

7.1      The first draw to select five prizewinners will take place electronically on 29th May 2020 and the second draw to select five prizewinners will take place electronically on 22nd June 2020

7.2      All completed entries received during the competition period and that meet the competition requirements will be eligible for entry in the draws. The prizewinners will be selected by means of a computer-generated draw, participants that raise R10 000 by the 28th May will go into the first draw to be one of 5 to win an additional R10 000. Participants, excluding the winners from draw one, that raise R10 000 by the 20th June 2020 will go into second draw to be one of 5 to win an additional R10 000. The 10 prizes at R10 000 each, will be allocated as 7 to the general public participants and 3 will be to the Nedbank Employee Backed participants.

7.3       The final selection will be made at the sole discretion of Thundafund in consultation with the SimplyBiz® team.

7.4       In the event of a dispute, the decision of the competition judges, Thundafund will be final and binding on all aspects of the competition and no correspondence will be entered into.

7.5       The prize is not transferable and if not taken up for any reason, it will be subject to a separate draw and allocated in terms of this competition to another prizewinner. The prize will not be exchanged for cash amounts, but will be allocated to the winner in their verified business bank account.

7.6       All other costs or expenses relating to the prize that have not been mentioned in these terms and conditions are excluded from the prize and are not recoverable.

7.7       If the promoter is unsuccessful in contacting the prizewinner within five working days following the draw, the prizewinner will forfeit the prize and a new prizewinner will be selected, subject to the same conditions.

7.8       If the prizewinner rejects his or her prize, he or she will forfeit it and a new prizewinner will be selected, subject to the same conditions. Lack of cooperation by the prizewinner with Thundafund will also amount to rejection of his or her prize

7.9       The promoter will not be held responsible for any delays in the delivery of the prize. The promoter will also not be responsible for any additional conditions imposed by third parties.

7.10     The prize will under no circumstances be provided to a third party and will be provided directly to the verified prizewinner only.

7.11     The promoter will not be liable for delays or failure to deliver any part of the prize resulting from acts beyond the reasonable control of the promoter. Such acts include, without limitation, acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, civil disorder, rebellions or revolutions in any country, epidemics, acts of terrorism, vandalism or sabotage, governmental regulations imposed after the fact, communication line failures, power and telecommunications failures, earthquakes, fire, floods or other disasters. The promoter will notify the prizewinner as soon as reasonably possible if the prize is affected in this manner.

7.12     The promoter reserves the right to replace the prize at any time with another prize of similar commercial value.

7.13     For audit purposes, the prizewinner will have to complete a confirmation form. This completed and signed form will act as proof that the prizewinner is the correct recipient of the prize and all deliveries of the prize will be made on this basis (courier slips etc).

8     General

8.1       All information relating to this competition and published on any promotional material will form part of these terms and conditions.

8.2       The promoter, its associated companies, its agents, contractors and sponsors assume no liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from an entrant’s participation in the competition or for any loss or damage.

8.3       The promoter may request the prizewinner (at no fee) to consent in writing to endorsing, promoting and/or advertising any service of the promoter.

8.4       The prizewinner may, however, decline a request to use his or her details or images in marketing material or to participate in the marketing of any of the promoter’s services or products. Such refusal will not affect the awarding of prize.

8.5       These terms and conditions can be found on the SimplyBiz® website.

8.6       By entering this competition, all participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, the terms and conditions of SimplyBiz® and by the terms and conditions of Thundafund.

8.7       The promoter is not liable for any accident, injury, harm, death, damages, costs and/or loss sustained by the prizewinner and/or any other person who participates in the prize with the prizewinner, at any point during the fulfilment of such prize.

8.8       The promoter will email the prizewinner to arrange for delivery or collection of the prize.

9     Further enquiries

For more information and all questions about this competition please email us at contactus@simplybiz.co.za or visit simplybiz.co.za