The SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme is an 18-month business growth programme supporting South African entrepreneurs who have already established commercially viable businesses and are ready to strengthen their operations and pursue further growth.
The programme is designed for entrepreneurs with evidence that their businesses are working, including paying customers, recurring revenue and demonstrated demand for their products or services. Through tailored business support and mentoring, participants receive assistance in strengthening leadership, financial management, operational systems, market access and other areas identified as important to the growth of their businesses.
Who Can Apply?
The Tholoana Enterprise Programme is aimed at entrepreneurs who are actively involved in running established businesses in South Africa.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Be South African citizens;
- Work full-time in their businesses;
- Be majority shareholders and key decision-makers;
- Lead businesses that are at least 51% black-owned and managed;
- Operate businesses that are registered and based in South Africa;
- Have traded consistently for at least two years;
- Have paying customers and recurring, verifiable revenue;
- Demonstrate repeat demand for their products or services;
- Have a viable business model with a credible opportunity for growth; and
- Be willing to learn, implement changes and commit to the full 18-month programme.
The programme is intended for businesses that have progressed beyond the early start-up phase and can demonstrate commercial activity and potential for further development.
Priority Groups
The SAB Foundation places particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs from groups that can face additional barriers to business growth.
Priority consideration is given to businesses owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities, as well as entrepreneurs operating in or meaningfully serving rural and township communities.
Meeting a priority characteristic does not replace the core eligibility requirements. Applicants must still demonstrate that their businesses are commercially proven and have the potential to grow.
What the Programme Offers
Tholoana provides tailored business development support rather than applying an identical intervention to every participant.
Over the 18-month programme, entrepreneurs work with experienced mentors and receive practical support based on the needs of their businesses.
Support can cover areas such as:
- Leadership and business management;
- Financial management and financial capability;
- Operational systems and processes;
- Market access;
- Business development;
- Strategic growth planning; and
- Other areas identified as important to strengthening the business.
The programme recognises that established businesses face different challenges. Consequently, support is tailored to the entrepreneur and business rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.
Why the Programme Is Relevant
Entrepreneurs who have established paying customer bases and recurring revenue may face a different set of challenges from those experienced during the start-up stage. As businesses grow, stronger leadership structures, financial systems, operational processes and market access can become increasingly important.
Tholoana is designed to help entrepreneurs address these areas while preparing their businesses for sustainable growth.
Participants are expected to take an active role in the programme, including being willing to learn, make changes and apply relevant business development support throughout the 18-month period.
Programme Impact
The SAB Foundation reports that its Tholoana-related support has contributed to substantial business development outcomes. According to the programme information, the initiative has invested R374.4 million in grant funding and business development support, supported 786 entrepreneurs, and reports that 95% of tracked businesses are still trading.
The programme also reports that supported businesses have contributed to 7,138 jobs.
These figures represent reported programme impact and are not a guarantee of individual business outcomes for future participants.
Application Process
Applications for the Tholoana Enterprise Programme open once a year.
Eligible businesses are assessed based on factors including the strength of the business, its opportunity for growth and the entrepreneur’s readiness to participate fully in the programme.
Applicants should ensure that their business information is accurate and that they can provide evidence supporting the eligibility requirements, including business registration, trading history, ownership, customers and recurring revenue.
The SAB Foundation provides an Application Guidance document to assist prospective applicants in understanding the online application process.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
Important Information
The Tholoana Enterprise Programme is intended for established South African businesses rather than individuals with business ideas that have not yet been commercially tested. Prospective applicants should carefully assess whether their business meets the programme’s requirements before submitting an application.
The programme provides business development support and mentoring; the information supplied does not state that every participant receives a direct cash grant.
