The Bindzu Youth Fund was launched in June 2025 with a clear purpose: to help young entrepreneurs scale their businesses through a combination of funding, capacity development, mentorship, and tailored business support. 

Recognising the vital role that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play in South Africa’s economy, the programme was designed to identify high-potential youth-owned businesses and equip them with the tools needed to achieve sustainable growth. MSMEs contribute an estimated 40% of South Africa’s GDP and employ more than 60% of the workforce, making entrepreneurship a powerful driver of economic opportunity and job creation.

To qualify for the programme, businesses were required to be at least 51% youth-owned by South Africans aged 18 to 34, 51% black-owned, operational for at least 12 months, based in South Africa, generating less than R5 million in annual turnover, and able to demonstrate growth potential and a commitment to scaling sustainably.

On 15 April 2026, we celebrated an important milestone in the Bindzu Youth Fund journey as the programme’s Top 27 entrepreneurs graduated from an intensive business development process, and a total of R1 530 000 had already been disbursed as seed funding for these businesses.

The entrepreneurs who reached the Top 27 progressed through a rigorous multi-phase selection process and participated in a structured development journey that included business training, tailored support, technical assistance, mentorship, and coaching. Throughout the programme, they strengthened their business models, refined their growth strategies, and improved their readiness to access funding and scale their operations.

The graduation ceremony recognised not only their achievements, but also the dedication and resilience required to build and grow a business. It marked the culmination of months of learning, development, and hard work, while also signalling the start of the next phase of the programme.

The response to the Bindzu Programme from entrepreneurs across the country highlighted both the depth of entrepreneurial talent in South Africa and the need for targeted support to help businesses move to the next stage of growth.

While the spotlight now turns to the Top 10, the programme has already created meaningful value for all participating entrepreneurs through the knowledge, networks, and practical skills gained along the way.