Business Funding Opportunities for SA Youth- IDC Young Entrepreneurs Campaign

The IDC plays an important role in growing the economy, creating industries and facilitating job creation. The IDC has set aside R1- billion to fund youth-owned businesses.

The IDC offers both financial and non-financial support to youth enterprises. The corporation is calling on all young entrepreneurs to stand up and lead industrial development.

Sectors we fund

The IDC has identified sectors based on the potential to create jobs and contribute to industrial development and will therefore only fund businesses which operate in these specific sectors: For more information and list of these sectors, click here.

Business plan guidelines

To apply for funding, young entrepreneurs should submit a detailed business plan containing as much information about the company as possible, such as an overview of the business, production, staffing, capital structure, market analysis, forecasting, and balance and income sheets. The more facts in the business plan, the easier it is to make a decision on whether or not to invest in a business.

For a comprehensive business plan guideline, click here.

Do you qualify?

If you are a young entrepreneur and have a sound business plan or idea, you are half-way there.  Because the IDC is particularly focusing on the youth, we have developed the following criteria:

• Over 50% ownership by persons under 35 years of age;
• Businesses operating or expanding in South Africa;
• Businesses that demonstrate that they have economic sustainability and are able to derive profits from their operations;  and
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment certification from an accredited verification agency, where applicable.

How we fund

There are various methods to fund start-up or existing businesses and the IDC will consider the best way to provide funding, which could include debt, equity, venture capital or various other financial instruments. As the IDC wants to help businesses to grow, the best possible solution will be found.

Contacts

The IDC has offices in all the provinces in South Africa. For all the contact details, click here.