What do funding partners fund?
Funding partners fund development outcomes, pathways, reach and measurement: structured, cohort-based pathways for defined groups, the platform that assesses and measures participants, reach into the communities that need it, and research and evaluation. Development funding is restricted and ring-fenced, and kept separate from corporate partnership income.
Where funding goes
Development pathways
A participant can be in a track (their stage) and a pathway (their focus) at the same time. From 2028, each proven pathway grows to 100 participants a year. Supplier & Procurement is a seventh pathway, funded through corporate partnerships.
| Pathway | Who it serves | Tracks | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Readiness | Businesses that need finance but are not yet ready for it | Build · Grow · Scale | Pilot 2027: 40 businesses |
| Youth Enterprise | Young people aged 18–34 exploring work, self-employment or a business | Discover · Build | Pilot 2027: 50 young people |
| Women in Business | Businesses at least 51% owned or led by women | Discover · Build · Grow | Pilot 2027: 40 businesses |
| Industrial & Manufacturing | Manufacturers and industrial suppliers | Grow · Scale | Design 2027, launch 2028 |
| Export & Market Access | Businesses ready for national, regional and international markets | Scale | Design 2027, launch 2028 |
| Innovation & Scale | Innovative and high-growth businesses | Build · Grow · Scale | 2028–2029 |
Partnership roles
Six ways to help build the development programme
A partner can take more than one role. Contributions are agreed with each partner and set out in the Funding Partner Prospectus.
Founding Development Partner
Shape it. Test it. Help prove it.
- Availability
- Limited to 8 · 2027 only
Join the 2027 design group, co-design the first three pathways and their indicators, see the pilot evidence first, and get first opportunity at a 2028–2030 role. Founding recognition is permanent.
Pathway Partner
Back a specific outcome.
- Availability
- One per pathway · 3 years from 2028
Anchor funder of one pathway: chairs its working group, agrees criteria and targets, receives pathway reporting and hosts the pathway session at the summit.
Pathway Co-Funder
Share the investment. Strengthen the pathway.
- Availability
- Up to two per pathway · 3 years from 2028
Shares delivery, risk and reach with the Pathway Partner, with the option to earmark funds for a region or sub-group.
Platform Partner
Fund the system that makes the outcomes measurable.
- Availability
- Up to three · 3 years from 2028
Funds the Gateway Growth Assessment, measurement and follow-up, the Knowledge Library and the annual research.
Development Partner
Extend reach where it matters.
- Availability
- Provinces, municipalities, agencies · 1–3 years
Regional cohorts, venues, recruitment, outreach and local delivery, with regional reporting.
Knowledge Partner
Bring expertise that makes the programme better.
- Availability
- Research bodies and specialists · 1–3 years
Research, evaluation, tools and specialist capability; one is appointed as the independent evaluation partner.
Evidence
Measured by progression, not attendance
Baseline assessment at entry and follow-up at 90 days, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, with data disaggregated by gender, age, location, sector, track and formal status, and mapped to SDGs 5, 8 and 9. An independent evaluation partner validates the method, and every chapter ends with an independent evaluation.
- Ring-fenced funds in a separate project account, with an annual audit
- A monthly live dashboard, quarterly narrative and financial reports and an annual results statement
- POPIA-compliant consent; participants can withdraw their data at any time
- No participant is obliged to buy from or borrow from a partner
Every funding partner receives
- Influence over pathway design, criteria and measures
- A pipeline of better-prepared businesses for your own programmes
- Evidence of what changed, not only who took part
- Early access to South African Business Growth Report findings
- A role at the summit, and introductions to other funders working on the same problems
Eight Founding Development Partner places for 2027
Help shape the first pathways, see the pilot evidence first, and take first opportunity at a 2028–2030 role.