With 2026 off to a start, small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) founders will be focused on getting their businesses open and starting to make profits. Although this is important, SME founders also need to ensure that they develop as individuals and business owners through accelerators.
What are SME Accelerators?
A business accelerator is a structured programme designed to help early-stage businesses grow fast and access funding. Basically, these programmes are like boot camps for business founders, giving founders years of learning within a few weeks.
Accelerators are slightly different to incubators. Incubators are typically designed to support and nurture early-stage, technology-focused startups, providing them with resources, mentoring and networking opportunities needed to scale and thrive.
For SME founders looking to develop their business skills and potentially access funding, accelerators are the ideal fit. In this article, we explore factors to consider when applying for an accelerator and which programmes are open for application in 2026.
SME Considerations When Applying for Accelerators
Here are some things SME founders should consider before joining an accelerator.
1. Understand the Commitment Needed
Typically, accelerators will need founders to take time away from the business for a few weeks. Accelerators have networking and skills development lessons and are best suited for SMEs that are more established and can basically run without founder intervention.
2. Understand the Level of Engagement
Before applying, founders must find out the specific skills and resources they will receive during the programme. This will help them realise if the programme is worth it and prepare for potential funder and networking meetings.
3. Aim to Learn Hard Business Skills
As much as networking is a big part of accelerators, founders should aim to learn as many hard skills as possible. In business, hard skills are things such as financial modelling, due diligence and growth strategising. Learning these skills will help founders improve themselves and their businesses.
4. Discuss and Understand the Success Metrics
Most accelerators have a clear definition of what the success metrics are. Founders need to understand what the programme is offering and what they need for their business to succeed. A great way to understand the success metrics of an accelerator is by speaking to previous participants or the accelerator host.
Why SMEs Should Join Accelerators
Accelerators are not only for tech-enabled SMEs but also for traditional businesses that are innovative. Here are the top reasons as to why SME founders should join accelerators.
- Mentorship: Accelerators provide entrepreneurs with the skills and attributes needed to succeed in the business world.
- Networking: Accelerators offer founders the opportunity to network and connect with other entrepreneurs who can add long-term value to their businesses.
- Potential Funding: Entrepreneurs get the opportunity to meet and market their businesses to potential investors, which can be more difficult outside of an accelerator.
- Long-term Growth: Accelerators provide SMEs with the necessary resources and skills to not only scale their businesses but also grow sustainably.
- Credibility: Accelerators can improve the credibility of a business because of the programme’s previous successes.
Top Accelerators for SMEs in 2026
Here are the top accelerators operating in South Africa that SMEs should apply to in 2026.
1. Grindstone
Grindstone Ventures is part of the Grindstone ecosystem, a global accelerator founded in 2013 and co-owned by Knife Capital and Thinkroom. Grindstone focuses on scaling innovation-driven, high-growth companies.
Current investments include:
- Matter Industries
- Chicken Bar
- Welo Health
- Play Sense
2. JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme
The JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme is a South African initiative by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) designed to fast-track the growth of SMEs by providing them with structured support, expert mentoring, funding readiness training, and access to capital networks, helping them scale, attract investment, and compete better in the economy. It focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs) like revenue growth, market expansion, and leadership development.
Current investments include:
- SendMarc
- Signcraft Africa
- Spark Schools
- Mobiz
3. Aions Creative Technology (Aions)
Aions is a venture builder that focuses on job creation by developing sustainable, black-owned businesses in South Africa. The company co-invests alongside corporates to provide SMEs with economic growth, tackle unemployment, and foster innovation.
Current investments:
- Delivery Ka Speed
- Credipple
- Coco Brands
- Tubby’s Kitchen
4. SA SME Fund
The SA SME Fund is a South African “fund of funds” established by big business and government to boost SMEs by investing in other investment funds, particularly supporting Black entrepreneurs and tech innovation.
Current investments in firms:
- Knife Capital
- Savant
- 4Di
- Grindstone Ventures
5. 22 On Sloane
22 On Sloane is Africa’s largest startup campus and entrepreneurship hub in Johannesburg, offering a full ecosystem for innovators: providing office space, mentorship, training, access to investors, and funding opportunities to help African SMEs and startups grow from idea to scale, fostering job creation and economic development.
Current programmes:
- African Bank SME Capacity Building Programme
- Microsoft SMME Capacity Building Programme
- UK-SA Township Digital Market Access Programme
- African Bank Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme
