youth challenge fund brochure
Official source
Source domain: dsbd.gov.za
Collected on 5 August 2026
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Youth Challenge Fund – Growth Funding
A blended finance opportunity providing grants and low-interest loans to existing youth-owned enterprises looking to scale. Up to R15 million is available per enterprise, with 20% as a grant and 80% as a loan at a maximum interest rate of 5%. This is available for both technology innovation and other products/services sectors, provided the business has market traction and a credible team.
- Who it is for
- youth-owned enterprises with proven market traction and scalable business models, aged 18–35, registered with CIPC
- How to act on it
- Submit application via email to YCF@sefa.org.za or through the online portal at sefa.org.za, including business plan and evidence of growth potential
- Closes
- Closing date not stated in the source
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Applications submitted to: YCF@sefa.org.za; online via www.sefa.org.za; Application due diligence and follow-ups for incomplete applications
Pre-Investment Support for Youth-Owned Enterprises
Non-financial business development support offered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) to help youth entrepreneurs refine their business models, improve viability, and prepare for investment. This includes mentorship and training, especially for those applying for the Youth Challenge Fund.
- Who it is for
- youth entrepreneurs preparing to apply for funding or scaling their businesses
- How to act on it
- Contact Seda for referrals and access to mentorship and business development programmes
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06. Pre investment support provided to youth owned enterprises by Seda assisti
Youth Challenge Fund – Start-up Funding
A blended finance opportunity offering grants and low-interest loans to young entrepreneurs aged 18–35 who are running or starting a business. The funding supports technology innovation and other products/services, with up to R2 million available per enterprise. Grants range from 30% to 40%, and the remaining portion is a loan at a maximum interest rate of 5%. Applicants must be 100% South African owned, registered with CIPC, and committed to business development support.
- Who it is for
- youth entrepreneurs aged 18–35, 100% South African owned, with a registered business and viable business idea
- How to act on it
- Submit application via email to YCF@sefa.org.za or through the online portal at sefa.org.za, ensuring all required documentation is included
- Closes
- Closing date not stated in the source
Show the line this came from
Applications submitted to: YCF@sefa.org.za; online via www.sefa.org.za; Application due diligence and follow-ups for incomplete applications
Facts
Amounts
R 84 810 000, R 197 890 000, R 2 000 000
Key Takeaways
- Programme: Youth Challenge Fund (YCF)
- Target: 15,000 youth start-ups supported by 2024
- Annual targets: 2021/22=5,000; 2022/23=5,000; 2023/24=5,000
- Budget allocation: R84.81 million (Red Channel, 30%) and R197.89 million (Blue Channel, 70%)
- Start-up maximum per enterprise: R2 million (Red and Blue)
- Start-up blended finance: Red 40% grant/60% loan; Blue 30% grant/70% loan
- Growth maximum per enterprise: R15 million (Red and Blue)
- Growth blended finance: Red 20% grant/80% loan; Blue 20% grant/80% loan
- Loan interest rates limited to 5%
- Sefa administers grant portion and manages loan component
- Qualifying age: 18 to 35 years
- Qualifying criteria include: CIPC registration; prepared to register with SARS & UIF; 100% South African owned; day-to-day involvement; participation in mentorship/business development support; commercially viable/sustainable business idea
- Applications submitted to: YCF@sefa.org.za; online via www.sefa.org.za
- Application due diligence and follow-ups for incomplete applications
- Non-financial support referrals to Seda
- Contact numbers/emails provided for DSBD and Sefa
- Department of Small Business Development
- Youth Challenge Fund (YCF)
- Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa)
- Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda)
- Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
- South African Revenue Service (SARS)
- Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)