Our Articles
Build your business with the best advice for funding, marketing, HR and more.
A Guide to Starting a Sneaker Cleaning Business [UPDATED]
UPDATE: This article was originally published in March 2020, but due to its popularity it’s been updated on 11 October 2021. A sneaker cleaning business is no longer a venture
Employment Law 101 for the Small Business Owner
As a small business owner, employing your first employee can be both an exciting and daunting experience. Part of figuring everything out as a small business owner is understanding the
Standard Bank Launches Business Banking Awards Worth R4.5 Million in Granting Funds
Intent on growing and investing in South African businesses and being a key partner with local enterprises, Standard Bank has launched its Business Banking Awards. The national awards are targeted
Consult With a Business Mentor and Get A Free Trial
We hear and talk about the importance of having a business mentor when considering expanding a business. Sometimes the perspective of an external consultant can help guide you on a
Entrepreneurship Competition to Support SME Development
The following content is sponsored by Business Partners. Aspirants encouraged to start their own businesses amidst record high unemployment rate. The unemployment rate in South Africa has risen to an
Making the Right Moves with the Standard Bank Business Credit Card
The following content is paid for by Standard Bank. As a business owner you want a credit card that allows you to take advantage of opportunities or pay for day-to-day
INNOVATION Born in the CLOUD – SAP Business ByDesign
The following content is sponsored by SAP. Your Business can become sustainable & prosperous with SAP Business ByDesign Has your company grown so quickly that your departments and business processes
Banking on Small & Medium Enterprises for the Future
The following content is paid for by Standard Bank. As society navigates the global pandemic, entrepreneurship continues to be a beacon of hope for recovery of the economy and a
SME South Africa is Growing – Here is All the Info
Since our launch in 2014 by digital media entrepreneur, Velly Bosega, SME South Africa has stayed true to it’s mission to helps SMEs to startup, grow and expand.
Startup News Roundup – Tiger Brands Launches VC Fund for the Food and Beverages Sector & More (7 – 11 June)
LifeQ, a provider of biometrics and health information derived from wearable devices and used in world-leading health management solutions
Startup News Roundup – Healthtech hearX Startup Expands to the US & More (24 – 28 May)
South African healthtech startup, HearX, will have it’s Lexie hearing aids sold at Walgreens stores in the US from this month.
Online Collaboration Made Simple: Here’s How
We need to reassess how we approach online collaboration because working with a variety of people is stressful and time-consuming.
Sendoff App Helps Users Arrange and Manage Funerals
Sendoff co-founders, Zolani Matebese (CEO) and Thabisile Sethaba (COO). Zolani Matebese (CEO) and Thabisile Sethaba (COO) are co-founders of Sendoff, a South African and world first funeral app
Startup News Roundup – fibrePOYNT Receives Funding to Provide Internet to Townships & More (17 – 21 May)
Joburg-based fibrePOYNT Receives Funding to Provide Internet to Townships The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation, is funding a Gauteng-based startup that is
Top SA Entrepreneurs Share Their Tech Must-Haves for Small Businesses (Part 2)
This is Part two of our series where top South African entrepreneurs share how technology is helping them run more efficient and profitable small businesses. See below what tech has
Top SA Entrepreneurs Share Their Tech Must-Haves for Small Businesses (Part 1)
Many entrepreneurs find the process of buying technology for their business, whether accounting software, POS systems, CRM or fibre, to be very daunting. This often results in entrepreneurs not making
Startup News Roundup – New €50 Million Fund to Support High Growth African SMES & More (10 – 14 May)
Goodwell Investments Launches New € 50 Million Fund To Support High Growth African SMES Goodwell Investments, an impact investment firm, today announced the launch of Goodwell V. Following on from predecessor funds, Goodwell V aims
Online Platform, Syked, Makes Therapy Accessible to Ordinary South Africans
Syked is a virtual private counselling platform for individuals looking for alternative ways of seeking mental health support without putting themselves at risk. Syked works as an online wellness platform
It’s Never Been More Important to Future-proof Your Business
The following content is sponsored by Startwise. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on SMEs throughout South Africa. A recent report by Finfind and their partners, shows that 42.7% of
Business Opportunities Monthly – May 2021
SIGN UP for our newsletter online to get the latest updates on small business opportunities in South Africa including funding news to help you on your entrepreneurship journey. IT’S FREE. Sign
Franc Financial App Allows Anyone to Become an Investor
Startup Franc was started in 2017 with the goal of building an easy to use app that would allow South Africans, regardless of income or financial experience, to become investors.
Startup News Roundup – Gas Startup Gets US-based Investor & More (3 – 7 May)
Gas Startup Secures R300 Million Investment Bluedrop, a South African startup based in Johannesburg has secured a R300-million investment from Washington-based private equity fund J Sassoon Group. The investment will
AgriCool Crowdfunding Platform Empowers Small-scale Farmers
Zamokhule Thwala is the founder and CEO of AgriCool, an agribusinss digital crowdfunding platform that empowers small-scale farmers by connecting them with investors and and creating market linkage opportunities. The
Startup News Roundup – Peach Payments Raises Additional Funding & More (26 – 30 April)
Peach Payments Raises Additional Funding Fintech startup Peach Payments has received funding for an undisclosed amount, according to an ITWeb report. The latest round of investment in the business was
Startup News Roundup – Healthcare Startup Quro Secures Funding & More (19 – 23 April)
Healthcare Startup Quro Secures Raises Seed Funding Nairobi-based seed-stage investor Enza Capital and South Africa-based Mohau Equity Partners have invested $1.1 million in seed funding in healthcare startup, Quro, to
Startup Planet42’s Rent to Own Model Makes it Easier to Buy a Car
In many parts of the world, a car is the ultimate symbol of freedom. Public transport is a good alternative in a handful of highly developed countries, but unfortunately this
IT Companies in South Africa Invited to Apply for Amazon Program
IT Companies in South Africa Invited to Apply for the Amazon Program Applications for the 2021 intake are now open for Amazon’s AWS Equity Equivalent Investment Program (AWS EEIP). In
New E-commerce Platform, SME Solutions, Helps Business Owners Purchase Tech Solutions
SME South Africa has launched an e-commerce platform to help business owners purchase the tech tools and business solutions they need to grow their businesses. The new launch, called SME
The Story Behind the First On-demand Consulting Platform in SA
The following content is sponsored by Startwise. Meet Velly Bosega, Entrepreneur and Founder of Startwise and join him on his journey to growing the South African economy My career in
Encourage and Win Over Regular Customers to Your E-commerce Store
The following content is sponsored by 1-grid. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times. It’s easier (and cheaper) to convert a customer that has already bought your product than to convert
Startup News Roundup – Biotech Startup Impulse Biomedical Secures Investment & More (6 – 9 April)
Futuregrowth Invests in Biotech Startup, Impulse Biomedical The Futuregrowth Development Equity Fund (DEF), has announced on behalf of its clients, it recently invested in Cape Town-based biomedical engineering startup, Impulse
Business Opportunities Monthly – April 2021
SIGN UP for our newsletter online to get the latest updates on new business opportunities in South Africa including funding news to help you on your entrepreneurship journey. IT’S FREE.
Fintech Selpal Acquired by FNB, South Africa’s Startups Were 283% More Funded From 2019 to 2020 (29 March – 2 April)
Fintech Selpal Acquired by FNB FNB has acquired 100% of Selpal – a financial technology solutions (fintech) company that operates specifically in townships and rural sectors of the economy. Selpal
[DOWNLOAD] Financial Statements Templates for Entrepreneurs
The SME South Africa financial management templates report pack includes all the resources that entrepreneurs need to be able to manage their finances efficiently, from business plans and income statements,
Startup News Roundup – DataProphet Makes Top 30 African Startups List, Fintech Adumo Secures Investment, and More (22 – 26 March)
DataProphet One of Four SA Startups Listed in the Yale Africa Startup Review This week the Yale Africa Startup Review (‘YASR’) published the inaugural #YASR30 list which featured four startups
Why Having Too Many Documents Can Be Bad for Business
The following content is paid for by The Document Warehouse. For many businesses, paperwork is the backbone of efficiency and functionality. Many companies simply cannot function without their administrative processes
[DOWNLOAD] The Funding Stories of Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa
This International Women’s Month we bring you the funding story of a women entrepreneur behind one of the most disruptive startups in South Africa, Tlalane Ntuli. This interview is an
Ukheshe Goes Global, Call for Proposals for VC Funding, Insurtech Startup Disrupts Car Insurance
Fintech Ukheshe Eyes Global Expansion Ukheshe Technologies, a payment technology provider within the B2B sector, has confirmed it is expanding its operations internationally. The company has set its sights on the
5 E-commerce Challenges and Easy Solutions
The following content is sponsored by 1-grid. An online presence is a crucial aspect of your company’s success, and in today’s digital world, businesses need to adapt and move with
[DOWNLOAD] How Direct Marketing Gets You Customers
Digital marketing changed the game – for the first time every business could afford marketing tactics, such as direct marketing, to build trust in their brand and open wallets. The
Startup News Roundup – Apply for Enygma Ventures, Spaza Shop Initiative Launched & More (8 – 12 March)
Enygma Ventures Announces Open Call for Women Entrepreneurs in Southern Africa Enygma Ventures, a venture capital fund, is encouraging women entrepreneurs to apply for the fund. Enygma Ventures is an
Business Opportunities Monthly – March 2021
SIGN UP for our newsletter online to get updates on new local South African business opportunities and funding news to help you on your entrepreneurship journey. IT’S FREE. Sign up here
[DOWNLOAD] The Role of Education in Increasing Tech Use Among SMEs
Can tech education increase the use of tech solutions among SME owners? In an effort to find out why South African small business owners are not using or investing in
Section 12J Cancelled, Hlayisani Growth Fund Closes First Round
Government Cancels Section 12J Investments The Treasury has announced that it will be putting an end to Section 12J of the Income Tax Act. Section 12J intended to boost the
Startup News Roundup – Mama Money Sees Growth, MortgageMarket Secures Investment (22 – 26 February)
SA Fintech Mama Money Grows 500% During the Pandemic Mama Money, a South African based money transfer company that enables individuals to send money to more than 50 countries using
The Best Time to Start a Business is Now – 10 PLUS Business Ideas for Youth [UPDATED]
This article was published on 1 June 2020 as part of our Youth Month 2020 series, #WeMove, providing youth-focused tools and resources to help you to start TODAY. Due to
PayFast Offers Financing, Slow Fund for Side Hustlers
PayFast Launches New Merchant Funding Feature Online payment gateway, PayFast has launched a new merchant-financing service in partnership with local fintech lender, Retail Capital, called Easy Advance. The service is
SME South Africa Launches Free Business Guides to Help SMEs Navigate the Challenges of COVID-19
To support and empower entrepreneurs during a challenging time, SME South Africa has launched a series of free COVID-19 Business Guides and Support Resources. SME South Africa’s mission has always
New Private Equity Fund Launches, Cape Town and Stockholm Tech Hubs Collab
Khumovest Launches New Private Equity Fund for SMEs Financial services Firm, Khumovest, a 100% black owned and managed financial services firm and a Level I contributor to Broad Based Black
Business Opportunities Monthly – February 2021
SIGN UP for our newsletter online to get updates on local South African business opportunities and funding news to help you on your entrepreneurship journey. IT’S FREE. Sign up here
Startup News Roundup – Fintech Yoco Payment Gateway Launch, 2021 Fintech Predictions (1 – 5 February)
Fintech Yoco Launches Payment Gateway Yoco, a South African fintech has launched a payment gateway alongside their range of card machines. The Yoco Payment Gateway is a solution for business
Funding Opportunities: A List of Investors that Back SA Startups [UPDATED]
UPDATE: This article was originally published January 2020. However due to its popularity it has been updated with more investors that back startups in South Africa by Melissa Javan on
SME Solution: Alternative Funding Review
Many small and medium enterprises face the access to funding challenge. Only 6% of respondents reported that they had received funding from the government, according to a study by SME
COVID-19 Small Business Relief Updates (February 2021)
Get the latest on COVID-19 Small Business Relief initiatives and interventions by the government and the private sector. [UPDATED – 18 February 2021] Relief Funding for Early Childhood Development (ECD)