Youth Challenge Fund (18 to 35)
SEDFA
Blended finance for youth-owned businesses: a fifth of the package is a grant, the rest a loan, from start-up through growth stage.
Amount
Deadline
Where
Who it is for
Sectors
The Youth Challenge Fund backs businesses owned by South Africans aged 18 to 35. Packages run from about R2 million for start-ups to R15 million for growth-stage companies, structured as roughly 20% grant and 80% loan so the grant absorbs early risk while the loan keeps the business disciplined.
It suits youth-owned businesses with a real growth plan: manufacturing, agri-processing, tech, services with contracts in hand. A micro side hustle is better served by the NYDA Grant Programme (listed separately).
Who qualifies
Majority youth-owned (18–35) and youth-managed South African business; registered; tax compliant; viable plan with the ability to repay the loan portion.
How to apply
Apply on the SEDFA SMME portal. A SEDFA business advisor can help package the application.
Insly is not the funder and charges nothing. Amounts and rules are as published by SEDFA and were last checked 15 Sept 2026; confirm on their site before applying. No legitimate funder charges an application fee.