Startup funding

The Allan Gray Makers Startup Incubator Programme

Alan Gray Makers Incubator Programme
The Allan Gray Makers Startup Incubator offers an 8-month incubation program for South African electricians and plumbers aged 18-35. This initiative provides essential business training, mentorship, and a monthly R3000 transport allowance to transform skilled artisans into successful entrepreneurs. Operating across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo, the program supports both aspiring and early-stage business owners in the trades sector. Applications for the 2025 cohort close January 31, 2025.
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Anza-TUT Future Tech Challenge

Anza TUT Future Tech Challenge
Tshwane University of Technology’s Institute for the Future of Work and ANZA Capital have come together to develop the ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge . The objective is to identify startups for funding, as well as to provide support to through a development phase in order to significantly  improve their chances of success. The initiative is primarily looking at tech entrepreneurs and will select up to 3 startups for this initial programme.
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Pepsico Mzansi Business Accelerator

Pepsico Mzanzi Accelerator
The Pitch and Polish competition is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to win prizes worth R1 million to use towards growing their business. The competition is sponsored by Nedbank and in partnership with Raizcorp, a business incubator, for promotion and execution. There is no specific mandate in terms of sectors that are targeted, and this means that all business owners may participate.
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Nedbank Pitch and Polish Competition

Nedbank Pitch and Polish Competition
The Pitch and Polish competition is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to win prizes worth R1 million to use towards growing their business. The competition is sponsored by Nedbank and in partnership with Raizcorp, a business incubator, for promotion and execution. There is no specific mandate in terms of sectors that are targeted, and this means that all business owners may participate.
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YGap Agripreneur Accelerator

YGap Agripreneur Programme
This opportunity is for South African entrepreneurs in agriculture to join the 12-month YGap Agripreneur Accelerator. The opportunity is open to post-revenue startups, preferable participating in the following key areas: gender, climate and technology.
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Apply for SEDA Asset Funding for SMEs

Seda Asset Assist for SMEs
Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the SEDA Asset Funding for SMEs to acquire capital to fund selected equipment as well as working capital. The program aims to provide assistance to Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) by providing them with funding to purchase equipment for starting operations or for increasing production. The SEDA Asset Funding for SMEs is specifically targeting machinery, equipment, and procurement of raw materials.
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Apply for funding: Tony Elumelu Foundation

Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Fund
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is a structured training opportunity designed to address the most common hurdles faced by entrepreneurs in Africa. The programme will categorize entrepreneurs according to their knowledge and skill; and will provide a targeted, hands-on, learning process. Entrepreneurs must complete this programme to proceed to pitching their business plan and to receive the $5000USD capital.
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Visa Africa Fintech accelerator

Visa Accelerator
One of the key responsibilities of an entrepreneur is ensuring compliance with both industry-specific and national legal regulations. Failure to adhere to these requirements can significantly impede critical business activities. For example No funder will consider investing time or money in a business that does not comply to laws and that risk penalties and fines.
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GMSA grant funding for digital startups

GSMA Innovation Fund
The GSMA Innovation Fund offers R2.5-R6 million to African startups addressing humanitarian challenges with GSM/digital technologies. It requires applicants to secure 25-50% matched funding, prioritizes women-led initiatives, and offers non-financial support. Companies must be post-revenue and may not exceed 250 employees. Applications close on 12 February 2024.
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