Starting a business can be very daunting especially in an environment like South Africa where there is a lot of established players in every sector of the economy. That, however, does not mean opportunities do not exist in those very sectors. It is in such tough environments that, thoroughly prepared entrepreneurs are born and made.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Entrepreneurs will find comfort in knowing that South Africa has a number of great business incubators and accelerators that help aspiring entrepreneurs, start ups and SMMEs that need funding, guidance and support to be able to navigate the turbulent business environment.
Below is a list of 12 leading business incubators and accelerators in South Africa
| # | Incubator / Accelerator | Who They’re Looking For | Requirements | Funding / Support Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SU LaunchLab (Stellenbosch University) | Early-stage tech / innovation businesses, students, researchers, alumni | Viable idea or early product; aligned with SU community; readiness for investment or market-fit work; commitment to participate. (LaunchLab) | Non-equity support: incubation services, mentorship, access to market & funding networks; sometimes seed grants for specific programmes. (greendirectory.co.za) | Varies: examples include ~8 weeks for “Countdown”, other programmes ~44 weeks for acceleration. (greendirectory.co.za) |
| 2 | Aurik Business Accelerator | Established SME owners looking to scale; businesses with traction / revenue; growth-oriented entrepreneurs | Typically revenue thresholds (e.g. businesses doing R15m-R150m in turnover); proven operations; readiness for growth strategy; strong ownership / management involvement. (blog.aurik.com) | Equity / growth-type funding (e.g. via Section 12J fund), plus business growth support: systems, coaching, advisory, value creation. (blog.aurik.com) | Medium-term engagements: typically multi-month to a year or more depending on growth cycle. (blog.aurik.com) |
| 3 | The Innovation Hub / BioPark @ Gauteng | Startups in bioeconomy: biopharma, med devices, agro-processing, diagnostics; technology innovators in Gauteng province | Innovations or early-stage products; strong technical component or research; ambition to commercialise; capacity to use lab / infrastructure. (spazax.co.za) | In-kind support (labs, infrastructure), advisory, networking, skills development, market links; possibly small funding / grants. (spazax.co.za) | Varies; incubation cycles often 6-12 months (depending on stage) though specific programmes shorter. |
| 4 | Sw7 | Tech founders, especially B2B tech and software; companies ready to scale, raise investment, refine product / customer acquisition | Typically post-seed / early revenue; founders must commit; business viable to benefit from revenue growth and scaling; able to engage in virtual workshops, advisory. (Africa Tech Schools) | Accelerator-type support: virtual incubation, mentorship, board advisory, investor readiness, growth strategy; funding connections. (Entrepreneur) | ~9 weeks for intensive programmes; cohorts run periodically. (Entrepreneur) |
| 5 | IMBE Enterprise Incubator | Women-led micro or small enterprises in Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector; small-scale community business | ECD focus; early or start-up phase; often women entrepreneurs; some basic registration formalities expected. (IMBE) | Seed funding (“Kickstart”), growth support (“Grow”), testing & innovation support for new products / services. (IMBE) | Probably phased: seed stage then growth; each phase duration may vary (not always publicly fixed) – could be months. |
| 6 | Innovator Trust – Hatch Incubation Programme | SMMEs in tech / ICT / digital sectors; both early-stage and those seeking expansion | Registered business, trading for ~2+ years; black ownership (≥51%); minimum turnover threshold; audited or management accounts; B-BBEE compliance in some cases. (innovatortrust.co.za) | Training & development (business skills, technical), mentorship, networking, access to funding; infrastructure and advisory. (innovatortrust.co.za) | Likely multiple months depending on cohort; not always short bootcamp only. |
| 7 | Propella Business Incubator / Propella Rapid Accelerator Programme (RAP) | Entrepreneurs / small businesses needing rapid growth or turnaround; particularly in ICT / industrial innovation | Commitment to fast-paced growth; willingness to implement business strategy changes; some existing operation; specific fit to programme theme (ICT, industrial) for certain tracks. (propellaincubator.co.za) | Virtual incubation support, advisory & expert coaching; business strategy advisory; no huge seed equity funding indicated (focus more on accelerating business performance). (propellaincubator.co.za) | ~10-12 weeks for the RAP; other tracks may vary. (propellaincubator.co.za) |
| 8 | IMBE / ECD Enterprise Incubator (already in #5) — included; skip duplicate | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | SEDA High Impact Incubation (SEDA National Incubation Network) | Small/micro/medium enterprises with viable ideas; especially those in technology commercialisation; those that need support to grow | Registered SMMEs; viable business model or idea; many incubators under SEDA will have sector- or region-specific criteria. (SEDA) | Non-equity incubation: skills, market access, mentoring, infrastructure, technical / business-development support. (SEDA) | Long-term: incubation programme is a 3-year programme per SEDA’s description. (SEDA) |
| 10 | IMBE (ECD focus) — already counted in #5. | ||||
| 11 | Seetsa Business Incubator | Entrepreneurs across South Africa / SADC region; especially focus on youth & digital innovation labs; community-based enterprises included | Applicants need to engage in training & mentoring; digital or innovation lean helpful; business stage varies from early to growth; likely regional focus. (Seetsa Business Incubator) | Incubation & acceleration, business training and mentorship, access to markets. Not always big capital injection; more about non-equity strategic support. (Seetsa Business Incubator) | Varies; some programmes shorter (weeks months), others longer (depending on support track) |
| 12 | Transnet Enterprise Development Hub | Black-owned enterprises; especially start-ups and micro enterprises in target areas (rural, peri-urban), black youth/women/disabled entrepreneurs | Must be Black-owned; turnover under certain threshold (e.g. < R35m for some programmes); registration and compliance; participation in procurement/advisory/training. (Entrepreneur) | Financial support; business development & training; procurement advisory; assistance with compliance (CSD etc.); some grants / subsidies. (Entrepreneur) | Not always fixed disclosed duration; support tends to be ongoing or programme-based (months) depending on specific track. |