Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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Non-cash support valued at approximately R500K per entrepreneur over 18 months (mentorship, training, tools, market access). Alumni Fund provides grants and interest-free loans.
The Tholoana Enterprise Programme is an 18-month structured business support programme run by the SAB Foundation that supports entrepreneurs to become successful and resilient business owners. It provides extensive entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship, access to markets, finance, and practical business tools. Up to 60 new entrepreneurs are selected per annual cohort. The programme specifically targets women, youth, people in rural areas, and entrepreneurs living with a disability.
18-month structured business support programme
Five practical business-skills workshops
Financial management interventions series
Ongoing one-on-one mentorship (up to 4 hours per month with personal mentor)
Support from portfolio coordinators and programme manager
Investment readiness support
Brand building initiatives
Market readiness and market access support
Digital peer-to-peer networking platform
Mental health and wrap-around support
Access to Tholoana Alumni Fund (grants and interest-free loans for alumni)
Practical business tools and templates
All business sectors; particular emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs, youth, people in rural areas, and entrepreneurs living with a disability. Job creation is a key outcome metric.
Entrepreneurs committed to growing their businesses and creating jobs, with particular emphasis on women, youth, rural entrepreneurs, and people living with a disability. Must demonstrate resilience, self-motivation, willingness to learn, and entrepreneurial leadership.
18-month structured programme with ongoing mentorship, portfolio coordinator support, peer networking platform, mental health support, and access to Alumni Fund for continued support after programme completion.
Applications for 2026 cohort are closed (deadline was Sept 8, 2025). Watch for 2027 cycle announcement mid-2026.
This is one of the most comprehensive enterprise support programmes in South Africa — the 18-month commitment with personal mentorship is rare and valuable. The programme specifically targets underserved groups (women, youth, rural, disabled entrepreneurs), so clearly articulate your impact story. The Alumni Fund provides continued support after graduation. Over 555 entrepreneurs supported since 2015 — strong alumni network.
2015
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
555+ entrepreneurs supported since 2015; 50% women, 57% youth. Impact data available in SAB Foundation's published impact reports.