Youth Challenge Fund
Eligibility criteria
In line with National Youth Policy, the YCF will be providing support to youth start-up businesses/enterprises who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the age of 18 to 35 years
- Registered with CIPC and be prepared to register with SARS & UIF
- 100% South African owned
- Are adequately involved in the day-to-day operation and management of the business with at least one or more of the members being a full-time employee of the company, especially the majority shareholder or essential personnel/applicant
- Prepared to participate in Business Development Support and mentorship (pre and post)
- Commercially viable, sustainable and feasible business idea
Exclusions
The following transactions will NOT be considered:
- Funding towards a debt owed by the applicant with another lending institution
- Activities that have already been funded by other government departments or parastatals
- Government and SOE officials are excluded
- Fall within the gambling, pyramid sales scheme, loan shark and operates illegal activities etc., as guided by credit policy and grant policies
- Have a record of fraud and corruption
- Where the owner/applicant is an un-rehabilitated insolvent
Additional information
- Funding queries can be directed to YCF Hotline on 012 748 9600 or email: helpline@sefa.org.za
- Upon receipt of the applications, they will be reviewed and completed applications subjected to due diligence exercises by sefa for consideration
- Follow-ups will be made with small enterprises whose funding applications are incomplete to submit the outstanding information
- Small enterprises that require non-financial support are referred to Seda for further handling