The Isiqalo Youth Fund was established to provide financial and non-financial support to youth owned enterprises with legally registered enterprises, located and operating within the Eastern Cape. This initiative is part of the efforts by the Provincial Government to create an enabling environment for youth development and empowerment and to promote entrepreneurship activity amongst the youth.

The fund seeks address key challenges faced by young aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. The 'funding gap' in the early stages - it is well documented that there is a strong risk aversion amongst traditional market players to fund SMMEs that are still in the scaleup phase: illiquid equity markets and lack of exit opportunities compound this problem.

2. Lack of access to suitable mentors even though there are many professional service firms and mentors, access to such resources is generally constrained for most SMMEs and the quality of these resources is often variable.

Contact details

For application and general queries please contact:
Isiqaloyouthfund@ecotp.gov.za

More Information
Youth Enterpreneurship Development Pamplet 2025
Final Updated Funded Business 2024