ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
The Business Growth and Scaleup Community (BGSC) is the trading name of Thusani Empowerment Finance (Pty) Ltd, a purpose-driven company headquartered in Gauteng with operations spanning all nine South African provinces. We are a Reliable and experienced business support ecosystem, serving startups, MSMEs, corporates, and investors through a blend of community, education, funding, and Professional Services.
Founded in response to the growing failure rates of early-stage businesses, BGSC emerged as a catalyst for change in the entrepreneurial landscape. Over 70% of startups fail due to lack of mentorship, funding, and scalable systems. Since our inception, we’ve dedicated ourselves to solving these issues through integrated, Reliable and Quick Processing support models across South Africa and the SADC region.
OUR VISION
To create the most impactful entrepreneurial community in Africa, where every business owner has access to the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to thrive.
THE MISSION
To empower startups and MSMEs, at every stage of the business lifecycle by providing access to essential resources, expert networks, and growth-focused programs—helping them overcome stagnation and achieve sustainable scale.
CORE VALUES
- Empowerment – Equipping businesses with the tools, knowledge, and networks to succeed.
- Collaboration – Fostering partnerships between startups, corporates, and service providers.
- Innovation – Delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to sector-specific challenges.
- Inclusivity – Supporting businesses across all industries and growth stages.
- Impact – Measuring success by the tangible growth of our community members.
PROBLEM SOLUTION
Over 70% of startups fail due to a lack of access to funding, mentorship, and scalable systems. Many MSMEs remain stagnant, struggling with operational inefficiencies, limited networks, and inadequate support structures. Corporates and investors also face challenges in discovering high-potential startups or reliable service providers aligned with their goals.
BGSC bridges these gaps by creating an integrated ecosystem where:
- Startups/MSMEs gain access to funding, discounted professional services, and growth programs.
- Corporates & Investors connect with vetted startups and scalable ventures.
- Ecosystem Partners (lawyers, accountants, marketers, tech providers) monetize their expertise while supporting emerging businesses.
VALUE PROPOSITION
The Business Growth and Scaleup Community (BGSC) is not just a membership — it is a movement to connect, develop, and grow MSMEs from pre-seed to scale-up stages across all corners of South Africa.
By fostering inclusive and sector-based growth, BGSC aims to reduce business failure rates, create jobs, assist businesses in accessing funding, and position MSMEs as key contributors to the country’s economic transformation.
- Networking & Collaboration
- Business Development Resources
- Market Access
- Mentorship & Coaching
- Visibility & Recognition
- Provincial and National Community
- Access to Professional Services
- Funding readiness and application support
- Free virtual breakfast masterclasses
- Access to paid face-to-face workshops and masterclasses
- Access to BGSC Bartering Exchange for trading products/services (modeled after Cape Town Talent Exchange)
About Founders
TREVOR MADUGUMA
Co-Founder & CEO, BGS Community
Professional Profile
Trevor Maduguma is a self-driven and accomplished finance professional, business consultant, and registered tax practitioner with a strong track record of delivering business support services to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). With extensive experience across multiple sectors, he brings strategic insight, financial acumen, and a passion for enterprise development to every project he leads.
As Co-Founder and CEO of the Business Growth and Scale-Up (BGS) Community, Trevor is at the forefront of building ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs to scale sustainably. He is committed to unlocking value for SMMEs through practical support, financial guidance, and access to networks that drive growth.
Inspiration Behind BGS Community
Trevor was inspired to establish the BGS Community after years of witnessing the common struggles faced by SMMEs—ranging from financial mismanagement to lack of strategic support and market access. His consulting work revealed a clear gap: many entrepreneurs had strong ideas but lacked the structure and mentorship to move beyond survival.
Determined to change this, Trevor co-founded BGS as a platform for collaboration, learning, and investment readiness. His vision is to move entrepreneurs from hustle to high-impact enterprises that contribute meaningfully to local economies.