Koa Academy’s Free Challenge Helps Kids Build Real Businesses From Age 9

Koa Academy’s Free Challenge Helps Kids Build Real Businesses From Age 9. South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis continues to place pressure on the country’s future workforce, with Statistics South Africa reporting that unemployment among 18 to 24 year olds reached around 60% in early 2025. While access to jobs remains a major concern, attention is increasingly turning to a deeper issue: the gap between formal education and real world readiness.

Employers frequently highlight the lack of practical skills such as communication, problem solving, and the ability to apply knowledge in real situations. This has raised an important question about whether these capabilities should be developed much earlier, before young people enter the job market.

Koa Academy’s free Online Entrepreneurship Challenge is one initiative aiming to address this challenge by introducing business thinking at a younger age. Open to participants aged 9 to 16, the five week programme is fully online and focuses on guiding students through the process of building a real business.

Rather than relying on theory alone, the programme is structured around practical application. Participants identify real problems or unmet needs, test and refine ideas, explore pricing and basic financial models, and define their target audience. They are also required to communicate their ideas clearly, mirroring real entrepreneurial processes.

The structure of the programme combines live interaction with independent learning. Each week includes group coaching sessions led by experienced entrepreneurs, small group mentorship, and self paced coursework. Students progressively develop their ideas, receiving feedback and refining their concepts before presenting them to a panel of industry judges.

By the end of the programme, participants have developed a business concept, created a structured pitch presentation, and received feedback from entrepreneurs and investors. They also receive an entrepreneurship certificate, with top projects recognised through prizes such as cash support, mentorship, and assistance with website development and branding.

The involvement of industry professionals is a key feature of the initiative. Entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders contribute through mentorship, guest sessions, and judging, providing participants with exposure to real world expectations.

According to one of the programme’s judges, Abena Opeibea Anie-Budu, a Venture Partner at MEST, learning how to build and present a business idea can help transform a concept into something others can believe in, while also building confidence and communication skills.

Previous participants have developed ventures including skincare brands, food businesses, and sustainable fashion concepts, with some continuing beyond the programme.

Koa Academy’s Online Entrepreneurship Challenge remains open for applications, with sign ups closing on 10 May. More information is available here: https://koaacademy.com/entrepreneurship-challenge/