Youth Challenge Fund (18 to 35)
SEDFA
R2 million (start-ups) to R15 million (growth); 20% grant, 80% loan
Blended finance for youth-owned businesses: a fifth of the package is a grant, the rest a loan, from start-up through growth stage.
Grants, loans, incentives and competitions from government, development financiers, foundations and corporates. Amounts and eligibility as published by the funder; every card links to the funder's own application page. 34 programmes listed.
SEDFA
R2 million (start-ups) to R15 million (growth); 20% grant, 80% loan
Blended finance for youth-owned businesses: a fifth of the package is a grant, the rest a loan, from start-up through growth stage.
Most "government funding" is a loan or a cost-sharing incentive. True grants (NYDA, BBSDP, TIA seed, foundations) are competitive and paid to suppliers, not to you.
CIPC registration, a SARS tax compliance pin, a business bank account, six months of statements and three quotations per item. Incomplete packs are the main reason for rejection.
No funder on this page charges an application fee. Anyone asking for a "processing fee" for NYDA, SEDFA or dtic money is a scam. Read our 2026 funding guide.