Top 5 Small Business Incubators And Accelerators In South Africa
Top 5 Small Business Incubators And Accelerators In South Africa. The South African small business and startup landscape has transformed tremendously over the years. Some of this growth can be attributed to how incubators and accelerators have been able to provide assistance and support to these enterprises so that they can see the level of growth they have seen. Incubators and Accelerators play a crucial role in the growth of most small businesses in South Africa, this is because a lot of entrepreneurs do not have access to funding or mentors when they are just starting their business. Below are some of the South African incubators and accelerators small businesses can turn to for assistance and support.
Utho Business Accelerator (UBA) – This is an international business accelerator, assisting South African Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) through the difficult start-up and growth by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services. The Accelerator has realized that in Africa, the major employer and revenue generator is the SME sector, yet this sector tends to lack institutional support. It is for this reason that UBA was set up, to support this sector in various ways. UBA’s main goal is to identify business ideas that can produce successful companies that will leave the incubated program financially viable.
Mobile Applications Laboratory NPC (mLab) – This is a tech-centred business that prepares innovators and entrepreneurs to maximise opportunities in the digital economy. mLab works alongside various partners to build a vibrant, robust innovation ecosystem. The company has a strong focus on empowering youth, women and previously disadvantaged communities through digital skills training, enterprise support and technology development services. mLab was established in 2011 by a consortium of organisations that include the World Bank (InfoDev), Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa (CSIR) and The Innovation Hub (TIH) amongst other stakeholders to help open and expand the mobile applications economy in South Africa.
Injini – Injini is a registered non-profit company based in Cape Town, South Africa with the purpose of improving educational outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2017, Injini remains the only EdTech specialised accelerator in Africa. Injini was established on the belief that innovation and technology – developed by Africa, for Africa – can help solve the continent’s most pressing education challenges.
E Squared Investments – This is a South African Impact Investor providing funding and end-to-end business support to high-growth businesses, early-stage founders and social enterprises focused on youth entrepreneurship. Established through the auspices of the late Allan Gray, the company is dedicated to funding responsible entrepreneurs with the intention of creating meaningful employment opportunities to tackle social inequality and enable economic inclusivity. It partners with start-ups, incubators, accelerators and investors to nurture entrepreneurial talent and accelerate financial and social returns across all sectors through entrepreneur-friendly, patient capital and post-investment support.
Founders Factory Africa – This is Africa’s most hands-on early-stage tech investor, backing the continent’s most visionary entrepreneurs. The company’s unique model combines capital investment with hands-on support for early-stage entrepreneurs to de-risk investments and reap outsized returns, supporting a portfolio of over 60 ventures across 10 countries in East, West, North and Southern Africa.
