Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda)
Seda supports the growth of small business. People can go to Seda for help to start a business or, if they already have a business, to make it stronger and more profitable. There is a Seda branch in each district municipality. These branches offer:
- information, advice and referrals
- tender information and advice
- import and export training
- trade information
- business assessments and business mentoring
- technical support
- market access
- business linkages
In addition to helping individuals in business, Seda has a special focus on co-operative enterprises, where a group of entrepreneurs share the profits and responsibility of a business.
Business Information Centre: 0860 103 703
Website: www.seda.org.za
Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS)
Successful applicants are given cash grants so that their cooperative can obtain good quality services that will help them to grow their business. The Cooperative Incentive Scheme helps cooperatives from all industries: textiles, services, energy, agriculture, print, film, and video production, consumer and housing. For a cooperative to qualify for a grant, it needs to:
- be mainly black-owned
- be actively helping to create employment and overcome poverty
- be registered according to the Cooperatives Act, 14 of 2005
- have a simple Business Plan, which must be attached to applications forms
- provide quotations for the services for which it requires funding.
How to register a co-operative
To register your cooperative, you will need to fill in Form CR1 – Application for registration of primary/secondary/tertiary cooperative. You will then be notified of the other forms you will need to fill in, in the course of registering your cooperative.
012 394-1425/394-1608
Website: www.thedti.gov.za
Black Business Supplier Development Programme
This programme offers grants in a cost-sharing scheme to black-owned business for the purpose of business skills training. It offers support to black-owned enterprises by helping to improve their core competencies and management abilities, and enabling them to become more competitive. The scheme helps people with promotional marketing materials, software development and other activities such as quality improvement, processes and product improvement.
Companies that are majority black-owned (15% or more) and which have a significant representation of black managers on their management team quality for the grant. Companies should not earn more than R12 million per annum and must have been trading for at least a year. They need to be registered with CIPRO and with SARS. The maximum grant for which a single company can qualify is R100 000.
Application procedure: Obtain application guidelines and an application form. Complete the application form. Obtain and attach a tax clearance certificate, and submit the application.
Contact the Department of Trade and Industry Customer Care Centre: 0861 843 384
Website: www.thedti.gov.za
Website: www.thedti.gov.za