Are you a young entrepreneur in South Africa with an innovative business that is ready to scale? Do you have a disruptive product, a breakthrough service, or a bold business model already showing real market traction? If you are between 18 and 35 and operating anywhere in South Africa, the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW Programme wants to support your journey to growth.
What You Can Gain
The OCIF GROW Programme offers powerful support designed to accelerate youth-owned businesses that deliver impact and innovation. Successful applicants will gain:
- Funding of R200,000 to R1,000,000 to drive business expansion
- Support for innovative products, services, business processes, or marketing strategies
- The opportunity to scale operations and increase job creation
- A platform to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through your business model
About the OCIF GROW Programme
OCIF GROW is the latest funding instrument of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund, supporting young entrepreneurs in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In South Africa, the programme extends the impact of Orange Corners’ incubation and accelerator initiatives by addressing one of the biggest challenges young entrepreneurs face: access to growth finance.
The fund aims to help youth-owned businesses expand sustainably, create employment opportunities, and address pressing social and economic challenges in their communities.
Applications for 2026 Are Now Open
Eligible South African businesses can apply for the 2026 funding cycle between 06 November 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Entrepreneurs are also encouraged to attend the virtual information session on 25 November 2025 at 3pm, where programme managers will guide applicants through the process and requirements.
OCIF GROW is managed in South Africa by CDI Capital, which also oversees the OCIF IGNITE Fund in partnership with the Orange Corners Designs Programme operated by the Craft + Design Institute (CDI NPC). (Note: IGNITE is only open to Orange Corners Designs participants.)
Funding Structure: Hybrid Grant + Loan
The OCIF GROW financial model provides a 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan, ranging from R200,000 to R1 million. The loan portion is repayable over 18 months. In addition to funding, beneficiaries receive tailored financing and investment-readiness training to ensure sustainable long-term growth.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Youth between 18–35 years old (at the time of application)
- South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid RSA ID
- Youth-owned and youth-managed businesses (female-owned businesses are strongly encouraged)
- Business must operate in South Africa and be within its first seven years of operation
- A minimum of six months of trading history and existing revenue
- Annual turnover between R250,000 and R10 million
- A clear and proven innovation that addresses a local challenge
- Alignment with one or more Sustainable Development Goals
- Ability to demonstrate repayment capacity for the loan portion
- Ability to show how additional funding will increase business growth, sales, and impact (including job creation)
- Willingness to provide ongoing project and impact reports
Also read: Step Into Global Education: Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026/27 — Don’t Miss the 9 December Deadline
Important Conditions
- Only complete applications will be evaluated
- No company may receive more than R1 million in total funding
- Allocations will be tied to clearly defined milestones
- Staff or associates of CDI NPC, CDI Capital, or Viridian may not apply
- Funding decisions are final and will not be disputed
- The programme aims to support businesses that reflect the demographics of South Africa
The programme not only provides financial support but it also connects entrepreneurs to a strong network of industry experts, mentors, and potential partners. This ecosystem helps strengthen business strategies, enhance operational capacity, and position young innovators for long-term competitiveness in the South African market.
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