Women entrepreneurs in South Africa can now access targeted support through the latest edition of the She’s Next programme. Sponsored by Visa and executed in partnership with Absa, the initiative is designed to accelerate the growth of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. With more than $55,000 in funding and comprehensive business development resources available, the programme aims to empower female founders with the capital and knowledge to scale sustainably.
She's Next Program
The She's Next program, empowered by Visa and Absa, is an initiative designed to support women-owned businesses. The program offers a combination of funding, mentorship, and business training.
Funding Opportunities
A total of over $56,000 in funding is available through the She's Next program, distributed among top-placing businesses. The allocation is as follows:
- First Place: $25,200
- Second Place: $15,120
- Third Place: $8,400
- Social Impact Winner: $5,600
Mentorship and Training
Beyond financial support, the program includes an exclusive mentorship component aimed at fostering business growth. Additionally, a broader group of applicants will gain access to business training, providing essential knowledge and skills for business advancement. Further details regarding the mentorship and training aspects are anticipated.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the She's Next program, applicants and their businesses must meet specific criteria:
- Applicant Age and Residency: Applicants must be women over the age of 18 and legal residents of the Republic of South Africa.
- Business Residency and Ownership: The business must be a legal entity in South Africa, owned at least 51% by the applicant, and operated within South Africa.
- Business Operations: The business must have been operational for over one year.
- Revenue Requirements: The business must have a product or service in the market and generate an annual revenue between $112,000 and $1,400,000.
- Application Limit: A limit of one entry per person is enforced.
Program Partners
The She's Next program is made possible through the collaboration of key partners and sponsors:
- Visa: A primary partner and sponsor.
- Absa: Serves as the execution partner for the program.
With access to funding, mentorship, and business training, the She’s Next programme presents a valuable opportunity for women entrepreneurs in South Africa to grow their ventures and deepen their community impact. Open to eligible women-owned businesses across the country, this initiative marks a progressive step toward reducing gender gaps in business and financial support. Interested applicants can find full details and submit their applications by visiting visa.com or absa.co.za.