SAB Foundation

The SAB Foundation, an independent trust established in 2010, focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and benefiting the wider community in South Africa. With a strong commitment to supporting historically disadvantaged individuals, such as women, youth, people in rural areas, and persons with disabilities, the foundation annually invests millions of rands in small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises.

Igniting innovation for a more inclusive future

Through various programs, the foundation promotes entrepreneurship and social innovation, collaborating closely with universities to identify and assist dedicated social entrepreneurs and innovators.

Notable initiatives, including the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards and the Social Innovation Fund, aim to address the challenges faced by low-income women, youth, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas by encouraging innovative products, services, business models, and processes.

Additionally, the foundation places a strong focus on disability empowerment. Its Disability Empowerment Programme encourages innovators, social entrepreneurs, institutions, and social enterprises to develop solutions that enhance economic access for people with disabilities. The Disability Empowerment Awards recognize social enterprises that have not only generated sustainable revenue but also created innovative solutions.

The Tholoana Enterprise Programme

To foster entrepreneurship and job creation, the foundation implements several entrepreneurship programs. The Tholoana Enterprise Programme is an 18-month business support program that offers entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship, and access to resources, networks, markets, and finance.

The SocioNext program provides acceleration workshops to unemployed individuals in peri-urban and rural areas, concentrating on social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Continuing its support for program alumni, the SAB Foundation offers initiatives like the Tholoana Enterprise Programme Alumni Fund and the Financing for Impact Loan Fund. These programs aim to assist previous participants in scaling their businesses, generating employment opportunities, and accessing financing for further growth.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Bridgit Evans and a board of trustees comprising respected South African businesspeople, the SAB Foundation plays a crucial role in promoting entrepreneurship, social innovation, and inclusive economic development. The foundation remains dedicated to contributing to the economic and social empowerment of historically disadvantaged individuals in South Africa.

The SAB Foundation's Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (ESD) programs are designed to uplift and empower entrepreneurs, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, in South Africa. The foundation acknowledges the significance of fostering entrepreneurship and social innovation to address the country's social challenges and drive lasting transformation.

Nurturing the next wave of entrepreneurs: SAB Foundation's University Seed Fund ignites ingenuity and propels success

One of the primary elements of the foundation's programs is financial support. Through various initiatives, the SAB Foundation extends monetary assistance to entrepreneurs at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. For instance, the University Seed Fund collaborates with universities to identify and assist exceptional student entrepreneurs by providing them with opportunities to present their innovative business ideas. This not only supplies them with financial resources but also serves as a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial talent and foster an entrepreneurial culture within the university ecosystem.

The foundation's Social Innovation Awards program focuses on aiding businesses in the ideation and startup phases. It offers grant funding, as well as customized mentoring and business development support, to entrepreneurs and social enterprises with prototypes or early-stage ventures that can address social problems. This funding assists these entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into viable businesses and contributing to social change.

For previous winners of the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, the foundation presents the Social Innovation and Investment Readiness Accelerator Fund. This fund equips entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, knowledge, documentation, and funding to achieve immediate success and positions them for future rounds of investment from other stakeholders.

The Tholoana Enterprise Program, a flagship initiative of the SAB Foundation, not only provides funding but also extensive support in terms of skills development, mentorship, access to markets, and practical business tools and templates. This structured 18-month business support program empowers entrepreneurs to become resilient and prosperous business owners. Specifically targeting entrepreneurs in rural areas, women, youth, and individuals with disabilities, the program aims to generate a significant entrepreneurial impact and promote job creation.

In summary, the SAB Foundation's Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development programs, with a strong emphasis on funding, strive to support and empower entrepreneurs in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in their business endeavors. By offering financial resources, skills development, and market access, the foundation actively contributes to the development of an inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa, fostering job creation and sustainable social transformation.