Attention Black Entrepreneurs: Start-Up Funding From Government Grants & Funds

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1 Attention Black Entrepreneurs: Start-Up Funding From Government Grants & Funds BY NICOLE CRAMPTON Government grants and funding are a great source of finances when you re trying to get your business off the ground or expand to new horizons. A small business can on average employ 12 people. The drop in entrepreneurial activity over the past five years is equal to 2.3 million possible job opportunities lost. Small and micro business sectors are the main source of real employment in the economy. South Africa s economy needs to inspire entrepreneurship in order for it to grow. By creating an environment that is friendlier to small businesses and actively encouraging the sector, the country is in a better position to create jobs. Two simple measures that would go a long way to support and develop entrepreneurs is access to finance and improvement of logistics. CONTENT IN THIS GUIDE 1. National Empowerment Fund (NEF) 2. Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Funding 3. Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) 4. The Isivande Women s Fund (IWF) 5. Khula SME Fund 6. Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP) 7. Incubation Support Programme (ISP) 8. National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) 1

2 Government Funds The government created government funding to extend finances to previously disadvantaged South African s in order to develop black economic development. Your much needed capital investment could come from government funding opportunities. Financing a small business, whether you re starting-up or trying to expand, is a challenge all entrepreneurs go through. Here are a few examples of government funding that focuses on black entrepreneurs: 1 National Empowerment Fund (NEF) The NEF is, a part of the government s development mandate to encourage black participation in business and entrepreneurship. It helps to assist black entrepreneurs in achieving funding. This fund aims to assist black youth, women and men, communities and businesses to achieve sustainable success. Types of NEF Funding The NEF has four main channels of funding that consist of subdivisions. These are: 1. imbewu Fund: This consists of subdivision is entrepreneur finance, procurement finance and franchise finance. This fund supports black entrepreneurs who are starting up a new business or expanding an existing one. This contribution takes the form of offering debt counselling, quasi-equity and equity finance products. The funds contribution ranges from R to a maximum of R10 million 2. umnotho Fund: This NEF funding has subdivisions in finance, new venture finance, expansion capital, capital markets, and liquidity and warehousing. This fund is available to black entrepreneurs who manage or own businesses, new ventures, expanding existing business. It is also available to black entrepreneurs who want to buy a share of equity in black and white owned businesses. The contributions from this fund range from R2 million to R75 million. 3. Rural and Community Development Fund: This NEF fund has subdivisions in acquisition, new venture capital, expansion capital and start-up/green categories. The creation of this government fund is to promote sustainable change in social and economic relations along with supporting and developing the rural economy by financing sustainable enterprises and co-operatives. This NEF funding ranges from R1 million to R50 million. 4. Strategic Projects: This NEF fund has subdivisions of empowerment objectives. The aim of the government fund is to increase black participation in early-stage projects. These projects need to have economic merit and the ability to deliver on the government s development mandate. 2

3 How Can You Apply for NEF Funding? NEF funding is available for start-up and existing businesses. It will conduct the following processes when evaluating your business: 1. It will conduct a, self-needs analysis to determine how the NEF funding can assist your businesses needs and which offer is best suited. 2. You will need to provide an application form and a comprehensive proposal with evidence that supports the commercial viability and financial position of your business. 3. After you ve submitted your application to the NEF, it will assess your information for final approval and receiving of funds. 4. The NEF website offers the following checklist to ensure you include everything needed when applying for funding. 5. You ll need to meet all the requirements or your application won t be successfully considered. 6. This process can take up to six weeks. 7. If your application is successful, it could take up to three to four months to receive NEF funding. Contact Details for NEF Funding For more information about the NEF fund, visit general enquiries to info@nefcorp.co.za Or call the following numbers +27 (0) or (call centre). 2 Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Funding IDC funding is available to those who have an existing business or wish to start a new one; those that have the visions of job creation along with serving previously disadvantaged communities. The IDC achieves its goals by providing finance for industrial projects, promoting partnerships between and across industries within SA and internationally. It focuses on projects that finance and facilitate, that lead to the creation and innovation of new industries. It also focuses on diverse expertise to drive growth in priority sectors and to take on higher-risk funding projects. The IDC supports B-BBEE and actively boosts and promotes black-owned and managed business along with those with employment equity. It aims at developing the skills of black employees and business owners, by supporting local, regional, provincial and national government projects. The Different Types of IDC Funding 1. Development Funds. These funds aim at supporting projects that will have high long-term impacts on the economy through growth. Its aim is to bring projects out of the informal sector and into the economic mainstream. 2. Agro-Processing Competitiveness Fund This government fund provides support and helps businesses to achieve increased competitiveness, business growth, job creation and development in the agro-processing and beverages industries. 3. Product Process Development Scheme (PPD) The aim of this fund is to provide financial support to micro and small enterprises where 3

4 the total assets are below R5 million, annual turnover is less than R13 million, and the business employs less than 50 people. The fund intends to promote innovation and technology development with financial support. This enables the development of new products and/or processes. 4. Risk Capital Facility Programme IDC Funding aimed at providing risk finance to businesses owned by previously disadvantaged individuals that offer substantial job creation potential. This programme provides three channels of funding: 1. Direct channel operating alongside IDC s mainstream business 2. Through a niche fund channel 3. Third party channel. 5. Transformation and Entrepreneurship Scheme This fund finances marginalised groups of South Africans such as women and the disabled. The aim of the fund is to gain access to finance that will help to develop and grow your business as a start-up or through expansions or acquisitions. This IDC funding also offers mentorship and non-financial support including business planning, training and mentorship. 6. Green Energy Efficiency Fund The fund aims at improving energy efficiency and helping South Africa become a lowcarbon economy. It aims to drive down energy related costs, improve production capacity, operational effectiveness and competitiveness, which would aid in job creation. How Can You Apply for IDC Funding? The IDC government funds aims are: Job creation potential, rural development, urban renewal and poverty alleviation, the employment of women and youth as well as up-skilling of employees. All of the projects that the IDC funds, need to show economic viability and sustainability and should target previously disadvantaged groups, women, people with disabilities, low income working groups and marginalised communities. Contact the IDC for funding For more information on any of the funds visit You can also phone the IDC call centre on Or callcentre@idc.co.za. Read more on IDC funding here. 3 Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) Do you have an existing small business or want to start one? SEFA are piloting direct finance to entrepreneurs wanting to start or grow a business. Types of SEFA Funding SEFA provides direct funding to business in loans between R and R3 million in three different ways: Directly to business owners, via retail finance intermediaries, and through banks using credit guarantee schemes including Khula. 4

5 1. Bridging loans These are short-term loans, which provide working capital. The types of working capital offered by this government fund include stock purchases and operating overheads. This loan is offered for only one year. 2. Term loans This government fund is a loan of a specific amount and has a specified repayment schedule, amount and interest rate. This type of SEFA funding is normally used to finance your assets that have a medium to long-term lifespan, for example machinery, vehicles, office equipment. Term loans can be used to expand your business or for acquisitions. This loan has a repayment range of one to five years. 3. Structured finance Use this SEFA facility for funding that falls outside the parameters of the term and bridge loans. Provided by a debt facility, it can be repaid over a period of five years and tailored to your unique requirements. The following businesses can t apply from the benefits of this fund: Liquor, tobacco, gambling, sex trade, armaments, speculative real estate, leveraged buy-out funds, and illegal trade. This includes any business activity that would tarnish SEFA s reputation, political organisation, entrepreneurs under debt review, insolvent business owners and business. How to Apply for SEFA Funding? Your start-up and existing survivalist, micro, small and medium business must meet these criteria: 1. Submit a completed application form 2. Submit a completed comprehensive business plan that meet SEFA s application requirements. Include initial and supporting documentation. 3. Demonstrated ability to repay loans 4. Personal and business credit references 5. The applicant must be an owner manager 6. The applicant must be a South African citizen with ID documents or a valid permanent residence. Alternatively, the business can be in the control of a South African citizen. 7. The business must be legally constituted including sole traders with a fixed physical address 8. Must have contractual capacity 9. All operations including projects, programmes activities etc. must be within South Africa 10. The enterprise must be compliant with accepted corporate governance practices 11. A trust that has within the trust deed the power to borrow money and pledge assets as security and to give surety for borrowing. Contact SEFA for funding Visit for more information on regional branches, how to apply, exclusion criteria, products and services available. To contact head office, call Read more on IDC funding here. 5

6 4 The Isivande Women s Fund (IWF) This government fund aims at accelerating women s economic empowerment by supplying cost effective, user friendly and responsive, available finance. The IWF offers support services to improve the success of your business. It targets business that are starting up, expanding, rehabilitating, franchising and those that need bridging finance. The aim of the fund is to create selfsustaining black and women owned businesses by offering you primary financial and non-financial support. How to Apply for IWF Funding The women owned companies need to meet the following criteria to be eligible: 1. Operational for 6 months. 2. Needs early stage capital for expansions and growth % plus one share owned and managed by women. 4. Have potential growth and commercial sustainability. 5. Improving social impact with employment creation. Contact IWF for funding Businesses that are eligible and need funding between R and R2 million can submit their application. Apply to the IWF through the IDF website or call +27 (11) Download application forms can from 5 Khula SME Fund Offered by Khula Enterprise Finance Ltd, this government funds aim is to grow and increase sustainability of small businesses. The purpose of the fund is to: Offers SME s early-stage and expansion capital. Offer early-stage debt funding to business that meet the criteria. Support SME s in rural and peri-urban areas. Improve the business owners access to finance. Grow businesses so they can create new jobs. Encourage meaningful economic involvement of black South Africans. Foster entrepreneurship for men and women within the SME sector. How to Apply for Khula Funding? The following are the requirements for business wanting to apply for Khula government fund: South African SME who have a majority share in their company and who are seeking to start and/or grow their company. South African SME s who have a majority share in their business that is in rural areas. Contact Khula for funding Business that are eligible and need funding can contact Khula at: +27 (0) For more information and application forms: 6

7 6 Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP) The Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP) is a cost-sharing grant that offers black-owned businesses improve their competitiveness and sustainability. This government grant does not support start-ups, only the expansions of existing business. The aim of this government grant is to fast-track small and microenterprises, encourage links between black-owned businesses, corporates and public sector as well as to complement affirmative procurement and outsourcing. It provides black entrepreneurs with a grant to a maximum of R1 million. Do You Qualify for the BBSDP government grant? Your business must be a CIPC Registered company or corporation 50.1% black owned (Black, Indian or Coloured) or more Management team 50% Black Trading for at least one year and have financial statements to prove turnover. Turnover must be between R250k and R35m per annum Valid SARS tax clearance and Vat registered if turnover is greater than R How to apply for the BBSDP government grant The following are the documentation that you need to apply for the BBSDP grant: CIPC Company registration documents (proof of ownership and shareholding) Certified ID of all Directors/ members Certified ID of all managers/ staff training (if applicable) Certified financial statements for latest financial year (three years if available) Management accounts for current year Valid SARS tax clearance (with 3 months to expiry or get a new one) VAT registration document (where applicable) 3 Months bank statements 3 Quotations (comparable) for every intervention Declaration appointing Graphit as the consultant. Company diagnostic questionnaire and application typed on template supplied by Graphit. Please send back as a Word Document Domicillium form Bank confirmation of your 50% contribution (Will you be able to get finance for your 50% or 20% contribution.) (Clear credit record) To apply you will need to all your documentation, all your documents need to be in a PDF format except your application form, which needs to be in word format. Please send them as individual documents. 7

8 7 Incubation Support Programme (ISP) Designed to create and develop successful enterprises. These are enterprises with the ability to revitalise communities and local economies. Do You Qualify for the Incubation Support Programme? In order to qualify for the Incubation Support Programme you need to be: A registered legal entity in South Africa A registered higher or further education institution A licensed and/or registered science council. This programme is also available to applicants who want to establish their own incubators or wan t to grow and expand existing ones. The incubator may either offer physical and/or virtual incubation support services. The incubator may be a: Corporate incubator A private investor s incubator An academic or research institution incubator in partnership with industry The incubator must be focused on establishing and/or growing enterprises that will graduate to sustainable enterprises. How To Apply for the Incubation Support Programme 1. Applicants can contact the DTI directly or appointed support agencies. 2. They can assist you with the application process. 3. You need to submit a completed application form to the DTI. 4. This must outline the objectives of the project and demonstrate how the incubator would function and be sustainable. 5. Submit your applications to the Incubation Support Programme Secretariat at the DTI. Contact Incubation Support Programme Contact: Semakaleng Mangwedi SMangwedi@thedti.gov.za Contact Number: +27 (12) Contact: Ambani Ramaru ARamaru@thedti.gov.za Contact Number: +27 (12) Application enquiries: appisp@thedti.gov.za Claims enquiries: claimisp@thedti.gov.za 8

9 8 National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) This government grant is moving away from grants for youth and shifting towards mentorship and development programmes. Grants are however, still available for youth entrepreneurs. Types of NYDA Funding NYDA awards individual grants to formal and informal businesses that are in the start-up or development phase of their business. These government grants get awarded to co-operatives, which is an autonomous association of people united to meet common economic and social goals through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Additionally, another option is community development and facilitation projects. Do You Qualify for NYDA funding? You need to be eighteen years old at the time of application Need the grant for business start-up or growth You need to be between the ages of years with necessary skills, experience or with the potential skill appropriate for the enterprise South African citizens and resident within the borders of South Africa Are involved in the day-to-day operation and management of the business Require grant from NYDA of not less than R1 000 and not more than R Upon approval of the grant, if you are employed full time, you could be required to resign from employment and provide grant officer with proof of resignation. This is a requirement so that you can focus an appropriate amount of time on your venture. How to apply for NYDA funding NYDA government grants are available to entrepreneurs or co-operatives that meet the following criteria: 1. Applicants must be a youth (18 to 35 years old). They must have the necessary skills and experience or show the potential of skills for the business and industry in which they wish to operate. 2. Applicants must be South African citizens with ID documents and operate their business within South Africa. 3. The applicant must need the grant to start or grow their business i.e. no other source of capital. 4. Applicants must involve themselves in the operation and management of the business on a day to day basis and must work on a full-time basis. 5. The business may be formal or informal and categorised as a micro-enterprise. 6. The enterprise must show, or have potential to be commercially viable and sustainable 7. Applicants should be sole traders or in the case of groups have a minimum of five people. Contact details for NYDA funding For more information on the NYDA government grant visit or contact the call centre on