DSBD Business Growth/Retention Fund — Kayzi
HomeReadiness Check The ProcessGrants PartnersAbout Insights Check my readiness
← Back to all grants
Strong readiness

DSBD Business Growth/Retention Fund

Department of Small Business Development fund for SMEs creating jobs and demonstrating growth potential.

FundingR250,000 – R5,000,000
TypeGrant (non-repayable, cost-sharing basis)
FunderDepartment of Small Business Development (DSBD)
DeadlineRolling (applications through DSBD regional offices)
Overview

The DSBD Business Growth/Retention Fund supports existing SMEs with capital to grow or sustain operations. It is often misunderstood — this is not a startup fund. The department prioritises businesses with job creation potential, clear financial records, and a coherent growth or retention plan.

Like most government funds, compliance is the first gate. Incomplete documentation is the single biggest reason for rejection, before the business itself is even assessed.

Kayzi Advisory NoteOften misunderstood by SMEs who treat it as accessible cash. It is not. The compliance and documentation bar is high. Get everything in order before submitting — incomplete applications are rejected outright.
Key Focus Areas

Financial Visibility · Business Substance · Use of Funds Logic · Ownership & Governance

Who qualifies
  • Business is registered with CIPC
  • SARS tax compliant (tax clearance certificate required)
  • UIF registered and compliant
  • Business is trading and has financial records
  • Clear job creation or job retention case
  • South African citizen or majority South African-owned business
Who does not qualify
  • Incomplete or missing CIPC, SARS, or UIF documentation
  • Idea-stage or pre-revenue businesses
  • No clear job creation or retention impact
  • Businesses requesting debt consolidation
  • Non-South African owned businesses
  • Businesses already in default on other government funding
Common rejection reasonNon-compliance with CIPC/SARS/UIF; incomplete documentation submitted; no credible job creation case.
Key requirements

CIPC registration certificate, SARS tax clearance (valid), UIF compliance letter, 6–12 months audited or management accounts, business plan with clear use of funds and job creation impact, ID documents of all directors.

How to apply

Apply through DSBD regional offices or through the SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency) network. The DSBD website provides application forms and regional contact details.

Visit dsbd.gov.za or call the DSBD hotline at 0860 663 7867.

Apply now →

Are you ready to apply?

Take the free Readiness Check first. It takes 5 minutes and tells you exactly where you stand — before you spend time on an application.

Check my readiness →