We are currently in the selection process for the seventh cohort of the South African Breweries Foundation’s Social Innovation Accelerator and Fund (SIF) – an initiative managed by Impact Amplifier.

The SIF provides investment readiness and funding support to some of the most interesting and innovative social enterprises in South Africa.  

On the eve of selecting the next group, we have reflected on the remarkable success of the businesses that have participated to date. Consider:

♦️ 45 businesses, via six separate cohorts, have completed the programme or are currently engaged.

♦️ Over R35 million has been awarded as grants and/or loans to the businesses involved. These businesses have been provided with new skills such as financial modelling & planning, growth strategy, market access, and impact modelling & management. In addition, these businesses have each developed an investment case and have been provided with the funding required for success. They are also positioned for future rounds of funding from other investors post the programme.

♦️ These six cohorts reflect a diverse range of businesses, addressing: Economic Development, Education, Healthcare, Disabilities, Housing, Safety and Security, Small Farming, and Transportation.

The following has been achieved over the last 18 months:

• 92% of these businesses have developed a functional commercial model.
• 85% of these businesses have developed an investment case, growth strategy and long-term financial plan.
• 29 new permanent jobs and 27 new temporary jobs were created in 2022, while 549 jobs were sustained.

‍

Critical services have been provided throughout South Africa, including:

• 4,196 youth had their CV professionally developed, resulting in 37 job placements
• 373 people with disabilities have been trained and employed
• 23 low income disabled people accessed high quality rehabilitative care
• 175,855 kg of textile waste has been recycled
• 4,153 kg of plastic waste has been prevented
• 865,290 litres of clean water was provided to low income people
• 183,449 learners had access to new digital education content
• 22,496 high school learners gained access to high quality math and science content
• More than 2,000 hours of tutoring has been provided to university students
• 1,232 small-scale fishers gained access to new markets, increasing their incomes by over 100%
• 57 micro enterprises received affordable access to credit
• 1,725 clubfoot braces have been distributed to children with lower limb disabilities

‍We look forward to sharing updates on this initiative as the next cohort is selected.