Call for Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW 2026 is open now!!!
Are you an ambitious entrepreneur building something innovative and extraordinary?
Do you have a disruptive product, a revolutionary service, or a bold new business model with proven market traction and the potential to scale with the injection of catalytic funding?
Aged 18-35 and working anywhere in South Africa?
Yes? Then the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme is looking for YOU!
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
OCIF GROW, the newly launched fund of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) in South Africa, is an extension of the Orange Corners incubation and acceleration programmes internationally, designed to address the financing needs of young entrepreneurs in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. OCIF supports young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, create jobs, and address local social challenges.
Applications for GROW are now open for 2026: apply between 06 November 2025 and 30 December 2025. Please see below for all the application information and the button for starting your application.
Business owners are encouraged to register for the information session taking place on 25 November 2025 at 3 pm (online)
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
CDI Capital also manages the OCIF IGNITE fund, which is offered in collaboration with the Orange Corners Designs programme, operated by the Craft + Design Institute (CDI) non-profit company (IGNITE is only open to Orange Corners Designs programme participants).
You must submit your annual financial statements (audited or unaudited) or management accounts. These documents help us verify your financial traction, revenue, and ability to afford the debt component. Financial projections are optional as they can strengthen your application by illustrating your business’s growth plans, but they are not mandatory.
Acceptance into the OCIF Grow programme does not guarantee funding. You will need to present your growth plan, financial documents, and pitch to the independent Investment Committee, who will make the final decision on whether you receive funding and, if so, the approved amount. Funding requests may also need to be revised based on feedback from the Investment Committee and on the amount of total funding available.
Funding must be aligned with your growth plan and financial projections. High-risk or controversial businesses (e.g., gambling) are not eligible.
Location:
South AfricaBenefits
- Funding between R200,000 – R1,000,000 to fuel your business growth
- Support your 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)
Eligibilities
- All youth (18-35) graduates of the Orange Corners Designs programme and Orange Corners Trust programmes in South Africa, as well as any youth-owned innovative business based in South Africa
- South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or legal entities controlled by South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or permanent residents who hold a valid RSA ID document
- Must be youth-owned and managed (35 years old or younger – on or before date of application). We strongly encourage female owned businesses to apply
- Business must be in first 7 years of operation
- Post revenue – minimum 6 months trading history
- ZAR 250,000 to ZAR10 million annual turnover or sales
- Clear, well defined innovation addressing a local challenge with proven market traction
- Must address the Sustainable Development Goals
- Must be able to demonstrate how you will be able to repay the loan portion of the funding support provided
- Must be able to demonstrate how additional funding will enable you to grow your business, sales and create impact (including job creation)
- Must be willing to provide the Fund with ongoing reports to measure the impact during the life of the project
- Businesses must be located in South Africa
Application Process
- Step 1: complete this application (click on the button below on this webpage)
- Step 2: present a pitch to the Investment Committee (if you are selected)
- Step 3: contract for training and support phase (if you are selected)
- Step 4: attend all training, consultations and demo day
- Step 5: complete intervention plan and pitch deck
- Step 6: present a pitch to the Investment Committee
- Step 7: contract for funding phase (if you are selected)
Application Deadline: December 30, 2025 (32 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
