Small business incentive schemes
Are you starting your own business or need funding for an existing business? Consider taking advantage of the numerous grants, loans, and incentive programs that our province offers small business owners.
Small businesses are the engine room of the Western Cape's economy, and starting one can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Entrepreneurship is vital to the continued growth of the provincial and national economies, and our incentive schemes provide the necessary support to businesses just starting.
The following services from provincial and national departments are available to young entrepreneurs to support the venture and get businesses off the ground.
Provincial
1) Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism offers a variety of programmes to develop and grow the small business sector. Find out what support and services are available from the Department.
2) Junior Achievement SA (JASA)
JASA runs programmes that encourage youth entrepreneurship.
Amongst others, there are the:
3) Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra)
Casidra focuses on improving the social and economic well-being of citizens who live in rural areas. Community development projects aim to reduce poverty, facilitate economic empowerment and sustainability, and eventually help establish self-sufficient communities.
Our Red Tape Reduction Unit helps businesses cut through red tape challenges they may encounter to make it easier to do business.
The creation of an enabling business environment is fundamental for the creation of jobs and sustainable economic development. The Red Tape Reduction Unit is, therefore, committed to contributing towards this enabling environment by addressing red tape through the Business Support Helpline Service.
Contact the Business Support Helpline Service of the Western Cape Government if your business is facing any red tape challenges by: Logging your query by sending an email to redtape@westerncape.gov.za
National
1) National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
The NYDA helps to create opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship by developing, funding and supporting effective programmes that help finance new businesses or develop existing ones.
For help, contact a NYDA branch by searching the NYDA Branch Locator.
2) Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)
SEDA’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises throughout the country, ensuring their growth and sustainability in coordination and partnership with various role players, including global partners, who make international best practices available to local entrepreneurs. Find out more.
3) Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)
The DTI itself administers several incentive schemes and cash grants to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, including:
- Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP)
- Co-operative Incentive Scheme (CIS)
- Incubation Support Programme (ISP)
- Seda Technology Programme (STP)
- Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)
4) Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
The IDC offers a range of financial products for small businesses, including:
- commercial loans
- equity
- quasi-equity
- bridging finance
- shareware housing
- guarantees
- suspensive sales
- wholesale finance
- export finance
- import finance
- support programmes for industrial innovation
Detailed information on these products, application forms, procedures and guidelines are available on the IDC website.
5) Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA)
The mandate of SEFA is to foster the establishment, survival and growth of SMMEs and contribute towards poverty alleviation and job creation. SEFA has a regional footprint of 9 offices around the country.
For more information, please visit the SEFA website.