We have selected the eighth 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.  

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

♦️ 58 businesses, via eight cohorts, have participated in the programme or are currently engaged.

♦️ Over R45 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 eight cohorts reflect a diverse range of businesses, addressing: Economic Development, Micro-Finance, Education, Healthcare, Disabilities, Housing, Safety and Security, Small Farming, and Transportation.

The following has been achieved over the last 12 months:

• 94% of these businesses have developed a functional commercial model.
• 88% of these businesses have developed an investment case, growth strategy and long-term financial plan.
• 65 new permanent and 308 new temporary jobs were created, with 842 jobs sustained.‍

The Following Impact has been made by the participating businesses in the last 12 months:

• Employment and Social Welfare: A total of 3,780 CVs were developed and 173 successful job placements were made. Additionally, a commitment to inclusive employment was exemplified by providing jobs to 381 individuals with disabilities. Support to the informal sector was also provided, engaging 30 waste pickers in key environmental efforts.
• Education and Health: In the field of education, 3,092 hours of tutoring were provided, and 40 aftercare centres were equipped with essential educational content. Related to the healthcare, 1,323 clubfoot braces were distributed, offering vital aid to children in need. Furthermore, health and hygiene needs in low-income communities were addressed by supplying sanitary wear to 2,000 school-age girls.
• Financial Empowerment: 80 loans were made, with an average size of R 14,924 to women-owned businesses in low-income communities and 220 micro-entrepreneurs were provided viable commercial opportunities earning between R1,000-R60,000 per month with an average of R4,407.  Additionally,  4,800+ small-scale farmers were provided access to new markets, providing them with over R11,000,000 of new income otherwise unattainable.  This income meaningfully increased their resilience and provided sustainable livelihoods.
• ‍Environmental and Waste Management: 279,410 tonnes of textile waste were recycled or upcycled. 780,430 kgs of plastic waste, including 468,258 kgs of hard plastic were recycled. These actions also led to reducing carbon emissions by 15,856kgs and water by 2,393,683 litres.