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What is Lora Centre?
Founded in 2015, Lora Centre is an entrepreneurship and innovation academy with the main purpose of creating prosperous entrepreneurs and innovators.
Each session of the workshop is led by our trained lectures who hold relevant academic qualifications but most importantly are entrepreneurs in their own right. The lectures engage with students in individual and group work.
The program is synchronous, with regular deadlines, group discussions, and face-
Attending students include freelancers, independent professionals, entrepreneurs and corporate employees.
The entire course is conducted in English, and skill and confidence in English is our only specific admission requirement.
What does Lora stand for?
LORA is Sotho/Sepedi meaning to dream. We endeavour to get entrepreneurs and innovators to fulfil their dreams.
It might stand for alternative method for becoming amazing. But what we truly stand for is the posture of taking responsibility for creating work that matters.
We stand for enterprising, innovating, questioning the status-
We stand for embracing an informal process for growth instead of needing an authorized, accredited piece of paper to prove that you have somehow absorbed a bunch of data.
We stand for you, in the future, making a difference.
Is Lora accredited?
Yes, Lora is accredited with Services Seta. Our programmes are aligned to the Services SETA requirements. You will get a certificate of competence at the end of each programme.
Is this program for you?
Our curriculum is hands-
Space is limited to 40 students per programme on a first come, first serve basis.
The program is for doers. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply.
Admission is selective. We prioritise two things: your professional progress, and your entrepreneurial attitude.
How do I apply to the Lora Centre?
After reading this FAQ, you can find the application here.
What if I work for a company, do you have to be an entrepreneur to qualify?
Even though the program tailored for entrepreneurship, there is a new culture of corporate entrepreneurship where companies encourage their staff to be creative and entrepreneurial within the company. This program caters for that need. Part of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation module caters for entrepreneurship (corporate entrepreneurship).
What are dates for the next session?
Programme Dates:
Starting on: January to June [for first semester cohort]
June to December [for second semester cohort]
Deadline for 1st Semester applications: Thursday, 21 January 2021
Programme starts: Saturday, 23 January 2021
Graduation: December 2021
What is the calendar like?
Classes are held on Saturdays [09:00 – 14:30] and Tuesday evening [18:30 – 20:30]
A detailed calendar will be sent upon registration.
Where does the program take place?
The program is online. All classes will be held on ZOOM platform.
How do I use Zoom?
Here is a beginner’s guide to using Zoom https://www.theverge.com/21506307/zoom-
What can I expect?
Unlike traditional education, our curriculum is hands-
There will be individual and group assignments that are based on your business. Every individual assignment you do and marked on is based on your business or project you are working on at work.
In some programme you will have open book exams and in others just submission of detailed assignments.
Completion of the program will result in you graduating in December with an accredited certificate with Services SETA. We will have a formal graduation ceremony at the end of the year in line with COVID-
Most of our students are full-
Who is the ideal Lora candidate?
Our programmes are robust like an MBA, but they are tailored for entrepreneurs and innovators either running their own businesses or working in a corporate but aspiring to start a business.
Our programmes are for students, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, designers, builders, doers, and makers.
Regardless of industry or job function, this program is for people in a hurry to create disruptive change. It is for entrepreneurs and innovators who want to sharpen their entrepreneurship thinking and add more frameworks to their toolbox.
How much does it cost?
R 7,500 is all it takes to embark on this journey. And it is not just the money, it is the time you will be spending as well.
The tuition includes lectures and course material.
There are two reasons for the tuition. The first is that our programmes require a significant amount of commitment. Not only time but the decision to overcome your status quo. One way we can make that likely to happen is to raise the stakes.
The other reason it is not free is that in order to build an environment focused on group dynamics and change, we are investing in people.
Our goal is not to be big, it is to be small. Small in size, but huge in our decision to create a difference.
If this sort of change or investment is too much, we totally get it. Our programmes are probably not for you. The good news is that all the content is in the world, free online or in accessible books. There are no secrets.
We are looking for students who want to start their ventures, take the next step in their business, and who are looking to invest in themselves, establish contacts with other entrepreneurs, discuss difficult challenges in their business.
Basically we are looking for aspiring entrepreneurs, current entrepreneurs and managers who are looking to go deep in their businesses.
If you are tired of being an average person doing average things, then register for this program.
Are there payment arrangements?
Yes.
Registration is R 1,000 payable before start date.
The arrangement may be made to settle the fees over a period of 5 months through monthly instalments.
How does the 20% Group Discount work?
There is a 20% discount for a group of two [2] entrepreneurs who register for any of the programme.
If you bring another entrepreneur and you both register, you will be eligible for a discount of R 1,500 each.
This means you will each only pay R 6,000 full programme fees.
Indicate on the application form that you have someone who will register with you and share their email address.
What are the requirements to be admitted?
We are seeking people of all ages, from all backgrounds, who share a desire to make work that matters and who have shown a willingness to contribute important work.
The minimum requirement is English and Mathematics Literacy at NQF L4 [Grade 12] or adequate working experience.
We believe that every person we admit to the program will somehow raise the average, producing a community that will provoke, amplify and reward excellent work.
Some of our students (contributors is probably a better word) are the kind of people who could easily go to GIBS, Stanford or Harvard, but would prefer the intense, intimate, condensed experience this program offers. Others live far afield, have day jobs or seek transformation, not merely a certificate.
Will I get in?
We have made it difficult to apply, betting that those that stick it out will be precisely the sort of people we are looking for.
We are seeking people from all over the world [as long as your English is solid] as well as the generosity of spirit to come classes focused on how you can impact your fellow students.
People who have demonstrated that they have the ability and desire to change are the ones most likely to encourage their fellow students to leap.
If you are the kind of person that cares enough to read the FAQ, you are probably the kind of person who will get in.
What is your class attendance policy?
This is a 6 months sprint, and the other members of the program are counting on you and every other student to be fully present. The short version is that we ask that each member of the program allocate the time to take this process as seriously as the rest of us.
What is the usual class size?
We cap the size of the workshop to 40 students. We are small on purpose, and believe that a curated group of quality people is invaluable.
We divide you into study groups of 5. Over the course of 5 months, you will get to know the 40 people in your cohort quite well from collaborating on projects. You will have plenty of chances to meet everyone in the program.
In addition, there are chat rooms and discussions with our staff of coaches, who will respond and provoke, as needed.
How much time can I expect to spend on coursework each day?
A lot. Well, less than an MBA program, but way more than just attending classes.
Some specifics: Students commit to five-
We recommend that students block off at least a few hours per day for reading, research and solo work, in addition to time blocked off for group discussion meetings and two Saturdays in a month for class. See the calendar for details.
It is a commitment, which is part of why it works.
What is included in the program fee?
The program fee includes course materials before the workshop begins and catering on the days of attending classes.
Whenever possible, we are going to direct students to online readings and videos, though there are books that are worth buying [or finding in the library] and you are on the hook to acquire those.
In addition to the course itself, perhaps our biggest goal is to build a powerful alumni network. Fellow change makers, pushing each other to make a difference. After the course, support for/between/by our members goes on
There are no hidden fees, add-
