Maxum has two incubation programmes: the pre-incubation and incubation.

The incubation programme focuses on helping start-up companies establish themselves and grow. The emphasis is on establishing a solid foundation upon which to build a sustainable business with high growth potential. The pre-incubation programme addresses an earlier phase of business development and provides guidance to entrepreneurs to finalise their business concepts by defining their product offering and determining its market acceptance. The output from the pre-incubation phase is a business plan clearly demonstrating the viability of the business, and exit from this programme may lead to entry into the incubation programme.

Incubation entry process

To apply for the pre-incubation programme Submit a concept business plan that describes the business proposition and demonstrates commitment to the venture. The business idea must demonstrate technological innovation in The Innovation Hub's focus areas: ICT, biosciences, electronics, advanced manufacturing and materials. To apply for the incubation programme Submit a business plan (max 20 pages including annexures) that demonstrates: the feasibility of the business venture a fit with The Innovation Hub's focus areas (ICT, electronics, biosciences, advanced manufacturing and materials) the potential for the development of unique proprietary technology (intellectual property) or a unique business model high growth potential of the business venture the potential to generate foreign revenue commitment to relocate to the Maxum Business Incubator at The Innovation Hub in Pretoria commitment to a one year lease with a flexible termination option. The following framework should be used when submitting the business plan. A Executive summary Introduction to entity, product and potential market, summarised cash flow showing annual returns and capital required, status of progression of the idea and the percentage equity that the company is willing or expect to give up should capital be required. B Details of the entity 1. Registration and bank account 2. Current location 3. Current employees and reporting structure 4. CVs of key employees and responsibilities 5. Current shareholders and directors and roles in the entity 6. Nature of any previous funding C The idea 1. What is the concept? 2. History and progression of the idea 3. Unique selling proposition 4. The target market/s 5. Contracted suppliers if any, contract periods, R or $/other based. D Finance - Historic data and Forecast Three year forecast including Capex, R&D costs, sales (quantities), cost of sales (materials, etc), cost of key staff and directors, legal, marketing, operations, admin, IT, ongoing R&D, financial, professional fees, leases and rent. Attach notes to line items to indicate assumptions and forecast staff requirements and timing of events such as entity registration, product completion, marketing and sales timelines and staff recruitment.