The JSE’s SME Rise Enterprise Acceleration Programme launch is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by collaborators on the accelerator programme. The discussion starts with team members from the JSE — Lilah Clark, SME development manager, and Preshan Govinder, manager for sales and business development. The team explains the history of the accelerator and its place in helping SMEs grow to become large-scale businesses. This programme is part of the local exchange’s broader push to create businesses that can list on the JSE in the future. Danny Tong, CEO of Botong Civils, details his experience as part of a previous cohort of the accelerator programme. He says the association with the JSE has been beneficial for his business, with plans to list his firm in the coming years. Botong Civils specialises in large-scale infrastructure projects. To end off, Milisa Mabinza, director of the UK-South Africa Tech Hub, details her institution’s interest in the project. A key part of the hub’s work is assisting local businesses with how to enter the UK market. The discussion details the accelerator’s growth, criteria to be chosen, the reality of growing a business in South Africa, and access to the market. Join the discussion: Business Day Spotlight is an Arena Podcasts production.For more episodes, subscribe to Simplecast