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.
National Empowerment Fund with the Department of Tourism
Up to R5 million: half grant, half loan at concessionary rates
Blended funding for black-owned tourism businesses buying, building or expanding guesthouses, lodges, tour operations and attractions.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
From R1 million; loans, equity and quasi-equity
South Africa's largest development financier: loans, equity and blended products for projects that build industrial capacity, with flexible repayment and moratoriums.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Up to about R650 000 per project in recent calls
Small grants to turn research and early ideas into prototypes and fundable technology ventures, channelled through universities, science councils and incubators.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Project-based; larger than seed funding, sized to the development plan
Funding for prototype development, demonstration and pilot plants, certification and techno-economic studies for technologies at readiness levels 4 to 7.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Up to R200 000 for development plus R60 000 project support per 12 months
Support for inventors without formal research backing: IP protection, prototype building, business-model coaching and start-up capital.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Up to R1 million over up to 24 months
Pays for market testing and demonstration of a locally developed technology with an identified government or municipal buyer.
SAB Foundation
Prizes up to R1.3 million, plus development funding for finalists
Annual awards with cash prizes for innovations that solve social problems and for businesses that empower people with disabilities.
Tony Elumelu Foundation
US$5 000 non-refundable seed capital plus 12 weeks of training and mentoring
Africa's largest entrepreneurship programme: seed capital, training and a mentor for early-stage founders across all 54 countries, including South Africa.
Land Bank with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Grant portion plus loan; the grant share is higher for smaller producers
A grant-and-loan package for black producers to buy land, equipment, livestock and inputs, replacing part of the debt with a government grant.
Gauteng Enterprise Propeller
Micro loans to growth finance; non-financial support at no cost
The Gauteng provincial agency for SMMEs and co-ops: loans, contract finance, and free business development support for businesses in the province.
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.
