Cherryflava

Popup store: Soweto entrepreneurs impress Branson with PlayStation business

Posted on 06. Feb, 2008 by Jonathan Cherry in Advertising

Two young
entrepreneurs from Soweto recently proved that a business
idea doesn’t have to be complicated to receive personal kudos (and money) from
billionaire and founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson.

With their
innovative video gaming venture, Musa Mapongwane (32) and his business partner and
childhood friend Amos Mtsolongo (38), managed to beat out 51 other competitors to win R100 000 in
the Soweto Business Plan Competition sponsored by Branson
and local business mogul Richard Maponya.

Located in
seven shipping containers, the Starplex Gaming Zone venture
provides computer games, PlayStations and other entertainment for the local
kids, who are charged an hourly rate to play and use the equipment.

The young patrons
have to adhere to some rules: For example, no gaming during school hours and if
you bunk school, you won’t be allowed in or play Gears of War.

The two friends now run the business in three areas of Soweto and have franchised four others.

This has provided jobs to 17 people and with the mentorship training they
are ­going to get from the Branson School of Entrepreneurship, they hope to
grow the business and create even more employment ­opportunities.

Since they
don’t currently have any business-related debt, they plan to use the prize
money to expand the business through marketing and by adding more equipment,
such as DVD players.

[Via]