Congratulations: Opening of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CFERI) at the University of Mpumalanga in South Africa

The University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI) is located on the university's Mbombela campus near the Kruger National Park and was officially opened on 13 April. Prof. Brem, head of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science (ENI) at the University of Stuttgart, was significantly involved in the conception of the centre and sent a digital greeting to South Africa at the opening.

The UMPCFERI aims to support emerging entrepreneurs in Mpumalanga Province and beyond to reduce the prevalent unemployment rate through entrepreneurial skills development and small business commercialisation. The main focus of UMPCFERI is to support students with sustainable business ideas. In addition, start-ups are supported to develop into sustainable businesses with defined growth strategies. In this respect, UMPCFERI's main strategy is to act as an advisory and support centre for entrepreneurship, which also creates a platform for peer learning and networking opportunities.

The CFERI thus serves both within the university as a contact point for those interested in setting up a business, as well as for interested small, medium and large enterprises from the region.

The University of Mpumalanga has been associated with the institute for many years, and there is also a strategic partnership between ENI and the UMP.