be prepared
Brief
The SA SME Fund was established by members of the CEO Initiative – a collaboration between...
Expectation
- Are incorporated and are operating in South Africa as private entities (i.e. Pty. Ltd.)
...
Mission
The SA SME Fund invests in funds that support and
develop entrepreneurs.
We are...
Brief
The SA SME Fund was established by members of the CEO Initiative – a collaboration between government, labour and business to address some of the most pressing challenges to the country’s economic growth – as an avenue of support for the SME sector.
The SA SME Fund is partnering with AfricArena – Africa's premier ecosystem accelerator – to identify tech-based small-to-medium enterprises (SME) in South Africa that have high potential for scale. This joint initiative, the SA Startup Nation Challenge, is seeking Pre-Series A tech start-ups incorporated in South Africa and which have distinctive product market fit, technology and founding team to scale up.
Expectation
- Are incorporated and are operating in South Africa as private entities (i.e. Pty. Ltd.)
- Are utilizing technology in an innovative way as part of their product or service offering
- Have South African founders/owners/managers
- Have strong leadership team with defined roles
- Have considerable year-to-year growth and market traction
mission
The SA SME Fund invests in funds that support and
develop entrepreneurs.
We are mandated – through our partner funds – to invest 50% of our capital into black-African owned and managed businesses, with a further 25% being dedicated to Indian and Coloured owned and managed businesses, with the remaining 25% being at the discretion of the fund manager.
The businesses that our funds invest in typically have an enterprise value of
Submission Requirements
GEOGRAPHIC AREA
For this challenge we will consider only:
Startups/SMEs that are incorporated and operating in South Africa
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Startups apply on the AfricArena Startup Portal
- All applications will be shortlisted to 12 SMEs.
- The 12 SMEs will pitch at events hosted by AfricArena in Cape Town (3 September 2019) and Johannesburg (10 September)
Submit to Win
Prizes & rewards
NETWORK
*For the five selected startups*
Meet key actors of the tech ecosystem in Africa, including investors, VCs, and corporations looking talent to partner with.
WIN
- Out of the 12, 5 finalists will be selected to pitch and showcase at the AfricArena Summit in Cape Town in November 11-12th 2019.
- The Top 3 SMEs post-Summit will earn several benefits, including a trip to Viva Tech in Paris in May 2020 to showcase to the biggest European tech event of the year.
PITCH
*For the selected startup*
FREE VIP entrance to the event
FREE flight ticket to Cape Town
FREE accommodation in Cape Town
