Are you an ambitious South African entrepreneur aged 18-35 building something innovative and extraordinary? Do you have a disruptive product, a revolutionary service, or a bold new business model with proven market traction?
If you are ready to scale with catalytic funding, the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme is looking for you. This initiative is brought to you by the Kingdom of the Netherlands in collaboration with Viridian and the Craft + Design Institute.
Applications for the 2026 cycle are now open until midnight on 15 March 2026.
Apply Now: https://cdicapital.co.za/ocif2026/
What Is the OCIF GROW Programme?
The OCIF GROW fund is the newly launched South African extension of the global Orange Corners Innovation Fund. Proudly managed by CDI Capital in partnership with Viridian and the Craft + Design Institute (CDI), this programme addresses the critical financing gap for young entrepreneurs.
Key benefits of joining OCIF GROW include:
- Funding between R200,000 – R1,000,000 to fuel your business growth
- Support for innovative products, processes, business models, or marketing strategies
- A chance to scale up and grow your workforce
- The opportunity to drive positive change through alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
OCIF supports young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, create jobs, and address local social challenges across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Hybrid Funding: Grant and Interest-Free Loan Structure
Selected businesses can access a hybrid financial product ranging from R200,000 to R1,000,000. This unique structure is designed to provide capital while managing financial risk for growing ventures.
The funding breakdown:
- 50% non-repayable grant: Capital you do not pay back
- 50% interest-free loan: Repayable over 18 months with zero interest charges
This catalytic capital is intended to fuel business growth by supporting:
- Innovative product development
- Process improvements and delivery methods
- New marketing strategies and market expansion
- Organisational development and team growth
Beyond capital, recipients gain access to specialised financing and investment-readiness training. Comprehensive application guidance, including the official PDF with full terms and conditions, is available on the application portal.
Raise Ready Training: Build Investment Readiness
Prior to funding allocation, selected businesses will participate in the intensive “Raise Ready” programme from May to July 2026. This capacity-building component prepares entrepreneurs for successful fundraising and sustainable growth.
Programme structure:
- Weekly sessions (2 hours) over 9 weeks
- Additional coaching sessions for financial modelling, growth plans, and pitch refinement
- Practical, hands-on learning focused on real business needs
Training modules covered:
- Module 1: Introduction to debt financing
- Module 2: Financing your growth plan
- Module 3: Financial modelling & statements
- Module 4: Early-stage equity – is it for you?
- Module 5: Strategic grant raising & measuring impact
- Module 6: Due diligence preparation
- Module 7: Contracting & negotiations
- Module 8: Financing round table & pitching masterclass
Additional support included with funding:
- Five peer mentorship sessions
- Technical assistance consultations (with R35,000 allocation)
- Up to seven 1:1 consultations with industry experts
- Regular facilitator check-ins
- Quarterly Investee Meet-ups for networking and shared learning
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements
The OCIF GROW fund is open to youth-owned and managed innovative businesses based in South Africa. We strongly encourage female-owned businesses to apply.
Core eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents aged 18-35 (on or before the application date)
- Business must be youth-owned and managed (35 years old or younger)
- Venture must be within its first seven years of operation
- Minimum of six months trading history with post-revenue operations
- Annual turnover between ZAR 250,000 and ZAR 10 million
- Clear, well-defined innovation addressing a local challenge with proven market traction
- Demonstrated alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Ability to demonstrate repayment capacity for the loan portion
- Clear plan showing how funding will enable growth, sales, and impact (including job creation)
- Willingness to provide ongoing impact reports during the project lifecycle
- Business must be physically located in South Africa
Business activities that will not be considered:
- Any businesses involved in illegal trade, armaments, or speculative real estate
- Businesses or owners under debt review, technically insolvent, or with un-rehabilitated insolvent directors
- Any political organisation
- Ventures inconsistent with the mandate of CDI Capital, or any business whose operations may prejudice CDI Capital’s reputation
Important application notes:
- Only fully completed applications will be considered
- No company can access more than R1,000,000 of the Fund
- Fund allocations will be made on an activity/intervention basis linked to co-developed delivery milestones
- No staff member or associate of CDI NPC, CDI Capital, or Viridian may apply
- Funding decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into
- The project aims to select businesses that represent the demographics of the South African population
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for OCIF GROW follows a structured seven-step process designed to ensure thorough evaluation and meaningful support.
Your application journey:
- Complete the online application: Submit via the official portal
- Pitch to the Investment Committee: If shortlisted, present your business case
- Contract for training phase: Upon selection, formalise participation in Raise Ready
- Attend all training and support: Participate in sessions, consultations, and demo day
- Develop your intervention plan: Submit a detailed growth plan and refined pitch deck
- Final pitch presentation: Present to the Investment Committee for funding approval
- Contract for funding phase: If successful, begin capital deployment and implementation
Key deadlines and resources:
- Application deadline: Midnight, 15 March 2026
- All application materials, including the guidance PDF and membership sign-up, are accessible via the main portal
- Applicants who have already received a 2026 decision should not reapply
Related opportunity: Apply Now: SEDFA Cooperative Development Support Programme
How Innovation Drives Sustainable Impact
For OCIF GROW, innovation is a catalyst for progress against global challenges like poverty, exclusion, and climate change. Your venture should leverage innovation to create measurable, sustainable impact.
Innovation can take four key forms for this fund:
- Product innovation: A product or service that is new or significantly improved
- Process innovation: A new or significantly improved material, production, or delivery method
- Marketing innovation: A new marketing method involving significant changes in product design, packaging, placement, promotion, pricing, or distribution
- Organisational innovation: A new organisational method in business practices, workplace organisation, or external relations
Your application should demonstrate:
- How your innovation addresses a defined local challenge
- Evidence of proven market traction and customer validation
- Clear alignment with one or more Sustainable Development Goals
- A scalable model with potential for job creation and community impact
Responsible innovation and technological advances help build resilient and inclusive societies while protecting our planet and natural resources. OCIF GROW invests in entrepreneurs who share this vision.
Take the Next Step – Apply Today
If your youth-owned, innovative South African business is ready to scale and create impact, do not miss this opportunity.
Action checklist:
- Review the official application PDF (download from the portal)
- Prepare your business documentation and impact metrics
- Draft your pitch highlighting innovation, traction, and SDG alignment
- Submit your complete application before the deadline
Essential Links:
Deadline reminder: Applications close at midnight on 15 March 2026.
Join the Orange Corners network and propel your venture toward sustainable growth and transformative impact. Your innovation could be the next success story funded by OCIF GROW.
Apply Now: https://cdicapital.co.za/ocif2026/
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