Abstract

BAMATA, NH  and  FIELDS, Z. The determinants of start-up awareness to improve access to bank financing for start-up entrepreneurs. JCMAN [online]. 2018, vol.15, n.spe, pp.192-217. ISSN 1815-7440.

This study aims to empirically investigate the determinants of start-up awareness to improve access to bank financing by start-up entrepreneurs in Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Despite the availability of external finance, access to finance from banks has been identified as the main challenge to the establishment and growth of SME start-up in South Africa. Data is collected through self-administrated questionnaires from a random sample of 253 respondents. The results from the descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of the responses reveal that the determinants of start-up awareness factors such as conducting a feasibility study, finding a good location, knowing the amount of seed capital needed, selecting the source of seed capital, and developing a business strategy, a business plan and a business model are significant determinants of access to bank financing by start-up entrepreneurs. Thus, entrepreneurs need to understand the determinants of start-up awareness in order to improve their ability to access bank finance.

Keywords : Start-up awareness and start-up entrepreneur.

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