A brief introduction to the entrepreneurial ecosystem:

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to lead the way in fostering entrepreneurship among students, staff, and community members. A central Student Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Committee ensures alignment amongst a vast group of stakeholders in this space.

Central to the implementation of entrepreneurship initiatives on our 3 campuses, is the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (bhive EDC), a central platform where various entrepreneurship initiatives at NWU converge, strengthening the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. NWU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is built on several pillars, including staff-led initiatives and innovative programmes designed to engage students, communities, and businesses.

In response to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) call for universities to establish Economic Activation Offices (EAOs), NWU has developed a forward-thinking solution. EAOs are tasked with playing a central role in university entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, focusing on facilitation, coordination, networking, and sharing information within the university community. NWU’s HustleHub webpage serves as its digital EAO, bringing together key stakeholders and resources to collectively promote entrepreneurship across the university’s diverse network.

A Vision for the Future

Prof. Herman van der Merwe, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and CEO of the Centre for the Utilisation of Technology in Education (CUTE), puts it in perspective:

"The future of our country lies in the hands of entrepreneurs. At NWU, we are committed to empowering individuals to transform their business visions into thriving enterprises. By enabling them to create sustainable organisations that generate jobs and foster financial independence, we are building a brighter, more resilient future for all."