Apply for up to R1-million in business innovation funding

Young South African entrepreneurs have an opportunity to transform their businesses and take them to the next level, by applying for funding through the second edition of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme in South Africa. OCIF GROW is part of the global Orange Corners incubation and acceleration programme, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which supports young entrepreneurs across Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The OCIF GROW offers individual funding from R200,000 to R1-million with successful applicants benefiting from a hybrid grant and interest-free loan model, structured as:

• 50% grant (non-repayable funding) and
• 50% interest-free loan, repayable over 18 months.

“We are seeking ambitious entrepreneurs aged 18-35 years across South Africa with disruptive product, a revolutionary service, or a bold new business model showing significant market traction and poised for growth,” says Ryan Rode, manager of CDI Capital, which manages the programme locally. Grantees will also receive mentorship, pitch training and investment readiness support through a structured programme developed by a CDI Capital service provider, Viridian, an impact agency specialising in startup and small business financing. Shortlisted businesses will embark on an eight-week Raise Ready programme between April and June 2026 and gain the knowledge and confidence to shape their business’s growth plan and fundraising strategy. Each business will also receive one-on-one support, as well as pitch coaching. After this training, the selected businesses will pitch to the OCIF Investment Committee, which will select up to seven grantees in 2026. The first OCIF cohort of 10 entrepreneurs is currently completing their Raise Ready phase and final pitch, and spans a wide range of sectors. Enterprises include, for example, a mobile, solar-powered waste buy-back centre, precision farm management tools, and a business producing a nutrient-rich, vegetable-based coffee alternative. Others manufacture liquid fertilisers and biostimulants, African-inspired home décor, an AI-powered platform that enables hyper-personalised micro-learnings, and modular software libraries. “This has been such an enriching programme that came to me at the right time in my business. It feels like I’m stepping into my power,” says Samantha van Rooyen, owner of Unearthed Home Décor. “I’m so grateful. Thank you for helping me grow as both an entrepreneur and a person.” Eligibility criteria

• Youth-owned and managed (35 years old or younger – on or before date of application)
• Based in South Africa
• Business operating for six months to seven years
• Annual turnover or sales between R250,000 and R10-million
• Market traction, with a clearly innovative approach or business model
• Must address the Sustainable Development Goals

Key dates

• Application deadline is 31 December 2025.
• Shortlisting takes place and shortlist announced: 28 February 2026.
• Adjudication and selection of Raise Ready participants: 31 March 2026.
• Raise Ready training takes place: April to July 2026.
• Final pitching and announcement of successful funding applicants: August 2026.

Apply here: https://cdicapital.co.za/OCIF/ Business owners are encouraged to register for the information session taking place on 25 November 2025 at 3pm (online): click here to join the session OCIF GROW AND CDI

OCIF GROW is part of the global Orange Corners incubation and acceleration programme, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It supports young entrepreneurs across Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The OCIF is managed in South Africa by CDI Capital Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) not-for-profit company. CDI Capital was established in 2016 as a Level 1 B-BBEE impact investor, focusing on supporting small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) through grants, loans, and equity investments. CDI Capital is at present rolling out investment of R121-million into 156 local businesses through its growth and innovation programmes, which in turn has unlocked over R418-million in follow-on funding to some of these businesses. Find out more:

The Craft and Design Institute: https://www.thecdi.org.za/ Orange Corners: https://www.orangecorners.com/ Viridian: https://www.viridian.africa/