For many young entrepreneurs in Namibia, having a great business idea is only the first step. Turning that idea into a thriving business is often hindered by two major challenges: access to funding and access to mentorship. Without start-up capital, promising ideas remain on paper. Without experienced guidance, many new business owners struggle to navigate the realities of running a sustainable enterprise.
The SanlamAllianz Bridge Programme was created to change this reality. By combining start-up capital with expert coaching, hands-on mentorship, and business development training, the programme gives aspiring entrepreneurs the tools, resources, and confidence to move from concept to success.
Now in its third year, the SanlamAllianz Bridge Programme, in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), has become a launchpad for young Namibians aged 18 to 35. This year, 15 finalists from diverse sectors including manufacturing, services, agriculture, and technology presented their ideas to a panel of five esteemed judges after weeks of targeted pitch training.
At the conclusion of the event, five outstanding entrepreneurs each received N$50,000 in seed capital, along with a six-month programme of tailored mentorship, business development coaching, and access to NIPDB’s MSME growth initiatives such as branding masterclasses, digital bootcamps, financial seminars, and market access programmes.
The 2025 SanlamAllianz Bridge Pitch Competition winners are:
- Dean Brandt from Brandt Auster Farming cc
- Eben Ezer Nangolo from Tezer Printing and Embroidery Services
- Herman Kornelius from Twin Horizons Investment cc
- Mwalwa Loide Namukwambi from Loide Bead and Designs cc
- Uini Zaombo from Indeue Kreative Studio
Over the past three years, the SanlamAllianz Bridge Programme has provided pitch training to dozens of aspiring entrepreneurs and intensive six-month development to fifteen winning businesses, each benefitting from the funding, skills, and networks needed to scale.
Laurencia Prinzonsky, Marketing and Communications Manager at SanlamAllianz, said that investing in entrepreneurship is more than just providing money. “When we empower young entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses, we give them the confidence to take bold steps, create opportunities, and shape their own futures. That is what our brand promise, Live with Confidence, is all about.”
SanlamAllianz expressed appreciation to NIPDB for their ongoing partnership in creating platforms that turn innovative ideas into viable enterprises. The company also commended every participant for their creativity, dedication, and commitment to shaping Namibia’s entrepreneurial future.
Hilifa Lisias Usuiku, Founder of Africa Brandberg Investments and a past beneficiary, shared that the SanlamAllianz Bridge enabled their business to impact twenty families and employ twelve Namibians. He explained that refining their original idea was key to success, shifting from selling online classes to creating animated content for marketing purposes.
The SanlamAllianz Bridge Programme, in partnership with NIPDB, is designed to be more than just a funding initiative. Through seed capital, structured training, mentorship, and access to networks, it transforms great ideas into thriving, resilient businesses that contribute to Namibia’s growth.