We believe that small and medium businesses (SMEs) have the potential to shape our future and change our world for the better. Our purpose is to unlock growth constraints for progressive entrepreneurs with cutting-edge ideas at the forefront of innovation.
We are expert solutionists in small business development. Our passion and expertise in scaling SMEs, combined with an innovative approach to SME development, has earned us an unmatched track-record in creating impact that is both measurable and meaningful.
Who We Are
We are SME development solutionists co-creating innovative solutions that combat business growth constraints and provide SMEs with market access, skills development and funding.
We are architects of empowerment and transformation always progressing and proud of our own transformation journey as an organisation, as well as supporting black-owned businesses and partners to drive job creation, for measurable and meaningful impact.
We are seasoned SME supporters with more than 60 years of combined experience in investment, finance, management consulting and entrepreneurship experience.
We are proven impact venture and ESD experts with an unmatched track record in designing and implementing one-of-a-kind solutions to scale small and growing businesses, together.
We are experienced fund managers who have deployed substantial capital to early-stage SMEs in the non-governmental small business funding space in South Africa.
What We Believe
- Purpose: We believe in the potential of business as a force for good. Realising this potential requires bringing together passionate people that are bound by a shared purpose; to invest in SMEs that can aid progress towards inclusive and sustainable economic development.
- Partnership: We believe that collaboration between SMEs and established businesses is the key to unlocking greater innovation, impact and growth. We achieve this by building purpose-led partnerships that enable shared and sustainable value creation.
- Pioneering: We believe that small businesses (SMEs) have the potential to shape the future for the better. We are committed to pioneering cutting-edge SME development solutions to unlocking growth constraints for game-changing SMEs.
- People: We believe that our people are our biggest assets and greatest competitive advantage. We are a diverse team of highly qualified, experienced individuals united in our mission to scale SMEs for impact.
- Prosperity: We believe in the vision of a prosperous Africa through world-shaping SMEs. We champion positive change by empowering small businesses who are solving complex problems to achieve a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive society.
What We Do
Economic inequality is everywhere, and despite decades of democracy in South Africa, it’s still home to one of the most unequal societies in the world. We are actively contributing to changing this.
SMEs are the single most powerful source of job creation and upliftment. Yet, without help, most fail within the first two years. Our IGNITE solution is designed to combat this, giving SME entrepreneurs the financial support as well as the skills development they need to build a sustainable business that thrives, year after year.