South Africa’s rising entrepreneurs are being called to scale their ventures, with the second edition of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme opening its doors to applicants. The initiative, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ global Orange Corners network, is designed to accelerate young African innovators and position them to compete on a regional and global stage.
OCIF GROW offers funding packages ranging from R200,000 to R1 million, targeting businesses that go beyond operating, they are actively innovating. Entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, based anywhere in South Africa, with proven market traction and the potential to scale, are encouraged to apply before the 31 December 2025 deadline.
The programme blends grant funding with interest-free loans, coupled with expert mentorship and investment readiness support. Managed by CDI Capital, a subsidiary of the Craft + Design Institute (CDI), OCIF GROW aims to fuel a new wave of South African innovation, supporting ventures that are not only commercially viable but also socially impactful.
Previous iterations of the Orange Corners programme have helped young African entrepreneurs transform their startups into growth-stage businesses, combining financial support with tailored guidance on business strategy, market positioning, and investor readiness.
OCIF GROW opens a pathway for ambitious South African innovators to scale operations, expand their workforce, and refine their products, processes, and business models. Eligible entrepreneurs are invited to register for an online information session on 25 November 2025 at 3pm to learn more about the application process and programme benefits here https://cdicapital.co.za/OCIF/.
CDI Capital also manages the OCIF IGNITE fund, which works in tandem with the Orange Corners Designs programme, specifically supporting participants of that initiative. While IGNITE is targeted at design-focused entrepreneurs, GROW casts a wider net, encouraging all eligible South African businesses with innovative ideas to apply.
Applications for the 2026 cohort of OCIF GROW are now open and will close on 31 December 2025. Entrepreneurs seeking to scale their business and join a growing network of African changemakers are urged to seize this opportunity. The window is brief, but the potential impact is substantial. https://cdicapital.co.za/OCIF/
