Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW

The OCIF GROW financial product aims to help you catalyse your youth-owned, impactful, innovative business by investing in growth. You can apply for the hybrid financial product (50% grant and 50% interest-free loan) for between R200,000 and R1m. The loan must be repaid over 18 months. Along with the financial support you will also receive specialised financing and investment-readiness training.

This fund is open to:

• All youth (18-35) graduates of the Orange Corners Designs programme and Orange Corners Trust programmes in South Africa, as well as any youth-owned innovative business based in South Africa
• South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or legal entities controlled by South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or permanent residents who hold a valid RSA ID document
• Must be youth-owned and managed (35 years old or younger – on or before date of application). We strongly encourage female owned businesses to apply
• Business must be in first 7 years of operation
• Post revenue – minimum 6 months trading history
• ZAR 250,000 to ZAR10 million annual turnover or sales
• Clear, well defined innovation addressing a local challenge with proven market traction
• Must address the Sustainable Development Goals
• Must be able to demonstrate how you will be able to repay the loan portion of the funding support provided
• Must be able to demonstrate how additional funding will enable you to grow your business, sales and create impact (including job creation)
• Must be willing to provide the Fund with ongoing reports to measure the impact during the life of the project
• Businesses must be located in South Africa