Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation partner entity, Black Umbrellas’ business lounge at Chesswood Office Park, Berea in East London was officially opened on 23 September.
The launch of the Black Umbrellas business lounge marked the beginning of an initiative that seeks to give entrepreneurs and small business owners access to essential office infrastructure and resources. To commemorate the occasion, Mark Frankel, Black Umbrellas CEO, and Xolile Ndumndum, Black Umbrellas COO, officially cut the ribbon before welcoming guests into the lounge.
Having launched a Virtual Incubator in 2020, Black Umbrellas has actively been working to extend its reach across the country. With a mission that involves building the economy by addressing the low levels of entrepreneurship in South African communities, as well as the high failure rate of SMEs, Black Umbrellas offers an internationally acclaimed incubation programme. Through the training, mentorship and business coaching that takes place virtually on the organisation’s Virtual Incubator, entrepreneurs are able to solidify their business practices and become sustainable in increasingly competitive environments.