seda business plan

Starting your own business

The  Small Enterprise Development Agency  (Seda) provides business development and support services for small enterprises.

Seda will give you all the information you need to start a business , including how to write a business plan, and once you have a business, to grow it.

The Department of Labour has useful tips for  self-employment .

Funding for various types of businesses is available through the  Industrial Development Corporation  or the Department of Trade and Industry's  Government Investment Incentives .

Registering a business

The  South Africa Government Services  website has information on registering a business in all official languages.

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A Guide to SEDA Funding

19th ,september, 2022.

Capital is a requirement for most new businesses whether it’s needed to acquire stock and equipment, or pay salaries and rent. While t here are many avenues available to small businesses looking to secure funding – including traditional lenders such as banks or private investment firms – most business owners’ first port of call when seeking financial support is the government. This is because the government is tasked with providing development funding to entrepreneurs. 

One of the government agencies mandated to support and drive the growth of small businesses is the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) which is an agency of the Department of Small Business Development which provides funding and non-financial support to small enterprises and cooperatives. 

Specifically, the agency has the mandate to “implement the national government’s small business strategy, design and implement a standard and common national delivery network”. Additionally, it’s responsible for integrating “all government funded small enterprise support agencies across all tiers of government”. 

Of all the government agencies focused on small business development, SEDA has the biggest network of offices with 42 branches nationally and branches in each district municipality. The agency also has presence in some townships and rural areas. 

Additionally, SEDA also supports technology incubation centres across the country. The total number currently stands at 121 of hubs with a focus on the digital space and digital incubators. The hubs provide various programmes and interventions which include training and mentorship programmes.

Key Programmes

SEDA has a broad range of programmes and interventions, they include the following:

• Entrepreneurship Programme
• SEDA Funding
• Franchise Support Programme
• Export Development Programme
• Co-operative Programme – CPPP and CIS

Small businesses in South Africa have to overcome many barriers to entry and challenges. SEDA has identified and is working to solve the main challenges that include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lack of business planning during startup.
• Difficulty accessing finance.
• Difficulty accessing markets or meeting industry requirements or standards.
• Lack of experience among owners and managers.
• Lack of sector-specific expertise.
• Inconsistencies in cash flow.
• Lack of entrepreneurial skills and mindset as well as business acumen.
• Lack of capacity to undertake market research, resulting in a lack of understanding of market needs and characteristics.
• Skills shortages, particularly with respect to technical skills and business management skills.
• Fragmented and uncoordinated support from entities tasked with providing assistance.
• Lack of innovation and creativity.
• Difficulty accessing land or securing operating premises.
• Red tape and cumbersome regulatory processes and procedures.

Priority Sectors

SEDA’s target market for funding and non-financial support covers small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME), including cooperatives. It also includes potential entrepreneurs with a business idea. In particular, their programmes target youth and women. 

SEDA provides support for the following sectors:

• Services – ICT & Tourism
• Agriculture & Agro-processing
• Manufacturing (Includes Furniture Making and Tooling)
• Rural Development – Coops & CPPP

The agency offers funding in the form of loans, grants, and relief options for various types of qualifying businesses in particular, micro and small enterprises (including co-operatives) from all sectors throughout the country.

There is also business support offered, including business related information, advice, consultancy, training and mentoring. Business development services include:

• information, advice and referrals
• tender information and advice
• import and export training
• trade information
• business assessments and business mentoring
• technical support
• market access
• business linkages

See Also: How to Access Funding For Your Business

Requirements

All businesses can get access to SEDA funding and support, as long as it’s a micro or small business. Generally, they only fund tax compliant businesses with an annual turnover of less than R50 million.

Other requirements include:

• Businesses must be owned and operated by South Africans.
• Registered with CIPC.
• SARS compliant. SEDA generally only funds businesses with an annual turnover of less than R50 million.
• Employees must be 70% South Africans, and in the case of non-South African employees they must hold valid work permits as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
• SEDA requires a proposal which must be submitted via the application form. One should follow all the guidelines on how to present the document via the online application platform of SEDA

Cooperative incentive scheme

SEDA is responsible for the administration of the Cooperative Incentive Scheme (CIS). The scheme helps cooperatives from all industries such as textiles, services, energy, agriculture, print, film, and video production, consumer and housing.

The CIS supports the growth of sustainable co-operative enterprises. The scheme is a 100% grant for registered primary co-operatives. The grant can be used for startup requirements and assets.

The maximum grant offered per co-operative entity is R350 000.

The purpose of the CIS is as follows:

• Increase the number of cooperatives trading in townships through coordinated efforts with other stakeholders.
• Increase the number of cooperatives trading in rural areas through coordinated efforts with other stakeholders.
• Increase the number of cooperatives supported through supplier developments development program and through transversal agreements generated through DSBD.

Successful applicants are given cash grants to obtain services to grow their business. For a cooperative to qualify for a grant, it needs to fulfil the following requirements :

• be mainly black-owned
• be actively helping to create employment and overcome poverty
• be registered according to the Cooperatives Act, 14 of 2005
• have a simple Business Plan, which must be attached to applications forms
• provide quotations for the services for which it requires funding.

Supplier Development Programme

This programme offers grants in a cost-sharing scheme to black-owned businesses to improve their core competencies and management abilities, and enable them to become more competitive. Through the scheme businesses get access to promotional marketing materials, software development and other interventions such as quality, processes and product improvement. The maximum grant for which a single company can qualify is R100 000.

To qualify, businesses must be:

• Majority black-owned (15% or more)
• Have a significant representation of black managers on their management team quality for the grant.
• Should not earn more than R12 million per annum
• Must have been trading for at least a year
• Need to be registered with CIPRO and with SARS.

Application procedure: Obtain application guidelines and an application form. Complete the application form. Obtain and attach a tax clearance certificate, and submit the application.

Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP)

The purpose of the TREP schemes aims to support informal micro and small enterprises in township economies. It provides dedicated business support to enterprises in rural and township areas, additionally, funding and business development opportunities to help them develop their businesses.

Scheme interventions include a one-stop-shop business support service, business incubation to help entrepreneurs develop their new ventures, business skills training programs, and product development support. Successful TREP candidates can also access a credit guarantee, access to funding including working capital, and a pitch-for-funding channel.

The following support programmes are available for qualifying entrepreneurs:

• Small-scale bakeries and confectionaries
• Autobody repairers and mechanics (as well as small and independent auto-spares shops and informal automotive entrepreneurs)
• Clothing, leather and textiles
• Personal care
• Tshisanyama and cooked food

Qualification criteria

• Informal/ micro or cooperative business including home based;
• Registered as a legal entity (CIPC, and SARS);
• Valid CIPC registration document;
• 100% South African ownership;
• 70% South African employees or a valid work permit;
• Valid South African identity document;
• Businesses with a turnover not exceeding R1 500 000 per annum;
• Have a valid business bank account (including newly opened); and
• Willing to participate in the bulk buying scheme and must be owner-managed operating in a township or village.

The implementing agencies for the scheme are SEDA and SEFA.

Find out if your business qualifies for TREP funding here: Township Business Funding Opportunities – TREP 

Seda Technology Programme (STP)

Seda Technology Programme (Stp) provides financial and non- financial support to small enterprises through business incubation, technology transfer, and quality and standards services. It has an Incubation Unit, a Quality and Standards Unit (to assist SMMEs with quality control and assessment processes, as well as internal management and operation systems) and a Technological Transfer Unit (to assist SMEs with access to and use of technology or technological equipment). The target is potential and existing SME (small and micro) entrepreneurs in specific industries, such as in ICT, aluminium, platinum and bio-diesel.

The programme provides non financial support services in the following four categories:

• Improving access to technology information for small enterprises
• Improve access to technology transfer funding through structured referrals to funding institutions
• Facilitate access to technology through facilitation of business-to-business linkages
• Technology consulting

Opportunities are also created for sharing sector-specific knowledge and skills for entrepreneurs, facilitating awareness and introduction to appropriate technology and intellectual property, peer-networking and forming of productive partnerships.

One of the programme’s objectives is to provide specific technology support to women-owned enterprises. These are enterprises with more than 50% women ownership.

Read more about this fund: SMEs Not Taking Full Advantage Of Tech Support Programmes

Funding for acquisition of technology through technology transfer fund up to a maximum of R 600,000.

STP Quality

This programme provides financial and non-financial support for businesses in the manufacturing, services, agriculture and ICT sectors. The objective of the programme is to promote quality and excellence as competitive tools for SMEs.

As part of the programme, businesses get a grand of R150,000 towards implementation Management System-ISO 9001: 2008 and testing & certification of products with SABS

Non-financial support services include capacity building on the different national (SANS) and international (ISO) compliance standards training for the sectors above.

Qualifying criteria to apply are:

• Completed application form
• Registered company
• Viable business plan
• Feasibility plan
• Strategic plan
• 6 month trading history

The Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation and Incubation Programme (TTGIIP)

This two-year programme supports tech-savvy entrepreneurs with the goal of inspiring innovation amongst enterprises in the travel and hospitality sector. To qualify for the fund entrepreneurs must have an innovative tourism tech-solution that they would like financed.

The target is women and youth between the ages of 18-35 in tourism business operations.

The programme aims to drive innovation among businesses in the travel and hospitality sector and to increase the sustainability of youth and women in tourism businesses, develop skills, as well as provide market access funding.

TTGIIP focuses on four key elements of business development, namely:

• The business management skills of the entrepreneur through skills development and training,
• The enterprise idea and prototype design and development, business viability and market testing, regulatory compliance, business financial/ risk structure and quality standards,
• Facilitate start-up funding and venture capital for business expansion, and
• Facilitation of market and trade linkages for commercialisation of enterprises.

Incubation Programmes

Moreover, SEDA runs the only government incubation programme. The key focus here is on administering the country’s business incubator programme – this includes designing incubation models, managing national incubation standards, market assessments aimed at feeding opportunities to the ecosystem, influence or direct private sector and government spending accordingly, monitoring and evaluating the entire system, to name a few.

SEDA supports 99 technology incubation centres across the country. Through incubation enterprises can develop skills, knowledge and markets, thereby nurturing them through the early stages of development and increasing their profitability and growth in the long run.

Qualifying criteria

Anybody with a viable business idea or any registered small micro and medium enterprise (SMME) that is struggling to grow can apply for an incubation programme.

Each of the Seda supported incubators has its own incubatee recruitment/selection process that is unique to their sector. Applicants must contact the relevant incubator for the recruitment criteria.

Examples of the types of incubators that SEDA supports is the Bakery and Food Technology Incubator which provides food technology and commercialisation services to all incubated bakery and food manufacturing enterprises. The Ekurhuleni Jewellery Project (EJP) provides incubation and technology transfer to emerging jewellers. Finally, the Savant is a commercially-focused hardware technology incubator based in Cape Town that provides bespoke business development support.

SME South Africa is a one-stop-shop for business owners to access advice, business tools and resources they need.

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How to apply for business grants? DTI, SEDA, IDC, NEF and non-repayable grants

Many South Africans have business ideas with the potential to earn them a lot of money. Unfortunately, many lack the financial resources to actualise their ideas. If you are an entrepreneur looking for cash to start a venture, you need to learn about business grants, including DTI funding for small businesses.

Many South Africans have benefited from business grants like DTI funding for small businesses, SEDA, NEF, and IDC. If you wish to be a beneficiary, you must apply for them.

How to apply for business grants in South Africa

Starting and running a successful business is a challenging task. Many people struggle because they lack adequate capital to start and run operations.

Programmes like DTI funding for small businesses have made many people's dreams a reality. Read on if you need to learn how to apply for government grants for small businesses.

DTI funding

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DTI stands for the Department of Trade and Industry. DTI offers a type of government funding to small businesses in multiple sectors. The aim of the assistance is to promote economic development, increase healthy competition, increase the enterprise economy , and widen the economic opportunities available to citizens.

DTI incentives available

There are multiple ways the DTI offers financial assistance to small businesses, as shown below.

• Capital Projects Feasibility Program (CPFP): For enterprises dealing in local exports.
• Production Incentive (PI): This is an upgrade grant facility or interest subsidiary facility.
• Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS): This is used to grow the automotive sector
• Clothing and Textile Improvement Competitiveness Program (CTICP): For enterprises dealing in apparel and textile manufacture.
• Support Program for Industrial Innovation (SPII): This is given to technology innovators.
• Aquaculture Development Enhancement Program (ADEP): This facility is issued to registered entities engaged in aquaculture activities.
• Critical Infrastructure Program (CIP): This scheme improves investment in critical infrastructure projects

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NB: The DTI funding requirements may vary depending on the type or form of funding you want. To apply for this financial assistance, your business should fill out the DTI funding application forms on the DTI website .

SEDA refers to the Small Enterprise Development Agency. The agency was established in December 2004 under the Department of Small Business Development.

SEDA offers loans and grants to small businesses. It puts the specific businesses it wishes to issue grants to on the website. The agency also issues the criteria businesses must meet to receive funding.

SEDA online application

Applications for the SEDA grant are made online . You can confirm if your small business meets the criteria for funding. SEDA normally gives details of the application process on its official website .

Since the details vary depending on the sector and requirements, there are no official SEDA funding application forms for 2023.

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SEFA funding

SEFA is an acronym for Small Enterprise Finance Agency. It was founded in 2012. Since then, the government has been funding it to support small businesses.

There are various forms of SEFA funding , including term loans, bridging loans, and structured finance. As a result, SEFA funding requirements vary depending on the form you wish for.

To get a SEFA loan, for instance, you must submit a completed SEFA application form and a comprehensive business plan.

IDC funding

IDC is an acronym for the Industrial Development Corporation. IDC offers financial support to businesses looking to acquire capital for buildings, equipment, business expansion, or starting a venture.

How to apply

There is no official IDC funding application form. Instead, enterprises seeking funding should follow the steps below.

• Write a well-researched business plan. The plan should give a compelling case for funding.
• Register online for submission or submit the plan to the IDC offices. Ensure your application contains all relevant documents and certificates.
• IDC will confirm it has received your documents. Allow the officials time to process them. They may ask for extra information or documentation.
• The agency will give you feedback on the outcome of your application. If your business is successful, due diligence will be conducted by the relevant officials.
• Once verified, you will be asked to sign a loan contract before receiving cash.

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NEF funding

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is a project by the Government of South Africa to support and boost public participation in business and entrepreneurship. The fund was established in 1998.

NEF offers financial and non-financial support to black-owned and managed businesses. It also promotes a saving and investment culture among black people. NEF offers various f orms of support , as listed below.

• Tourism Transformation Fund
• Rural, Township & Community Development Fund
• Strategic Projects Fund
• Arts & Culture Venture Capital Fund
• Women Empowerment Fund
• IMbewu Fund
• UMnotho Fund
• Visit the NEF website to download the NEF funding application form.
• Complete and submit the form.
• The relevant officials will screen the application.
• Screened application forms will be taken to the investment committee for approval.
• Once approved, NEF will do due diligence on your business.
• The relevant officials will re-submit the final report.
• Next, the relevant NEF officials will conduct the necessary legal procedures.
• Finally, the funds will be disbursed.

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LEDA funding

The Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) was established in 2016 with the aim of accelerating job creation and promoting economic growth and development. It does this by offering business loans.

The LEDA funding application form is available on the official website. Kindly note that these are loans, not grants.

What are non-repayable small business grants?

These are a type of development funding the Government of South Africa offers to support small business growth. The businesses are not required to pay back the amount received.

How do I get local grants for my small business?

You can get grants by applying for those you qualify for, e.g. DTI, SEDA, IDC, and NEF.

What does SEDA help with?

SEDA provides support for small businesses in various phases of their life cycle. The support includes offering business talks and providing funds, tools, and equipment needed to start, run, and operate an enterprise.

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Many South Africans are beneficiaries of DTI funding for small businesses. SEDA, IDC, and NEF have assisted others. These agencies promote business development in the country.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional help or advice and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action taken upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

READ ALSO: How to calculate PAYE on salary 2022: step-by-step guide

Briefly.co.za recently published details on how to calculate PAYE on salary. PAYE means pay-as-you-earn tax. It is a repayment scheme that incrementally makes deductions as paychecks are received in South Africa.

The South African Revenue Service collects pay-as-you-earn tax from employees. After PAYE is deducted, one receives a net salary.

Source: Briefly News

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) which provides non-financial support to small enterprises and cooperatives. Seda has by far the biggest network of offices in the country, with 53 branches including 46 co-location points. Seda has presence in some townships and rural areas and has programmes targeting youth and women. Seda supports 99 Technology Incubation Centres across the country, affording start-ups and new disruptive innovations a well-equipped and protected environment in which to develop and grow for a period of three years.

Contact Info

• Address: 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002
• Tel: (+27) 861 843 384 and Select Option 2 .
• E-mail: [email protected]
• National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701

Relevant websites

• Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
• National government departments
• Provincial Economic Development Departments

Operating Hours

• Monday-Friday: 07:45am – 16:15pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed
• Public Holidays:Closed

• Board of Directors
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• Incubation Centres

CompileBusinessPlan CompileBusinessPlan //

How do I compile a business plan?

Are you asking the right question.

• You should have a clear business idea and area of business
• You should have done some basic viability studies
• You should have read "What is a business plan?"

Introduction:

• It highlights the main areas of your business plan, the questions you should answer and suggestions for research methods in each area.
• It briefly describes the structure of the written business plan.
• It warns against the danger of 'over-planning'

The five main areas of a business plan

• Your strategic focus (your niche, or core business)
• The marketing plan
• The operations plan
• The staffing plan.
• The financial plan

The planning cycle

• Clarify your objectives - what do you want to achieve in your business and each area of your business?
• Be concrete, using figures and targets, workflow diagrams, financial statements with rand values, etc.
• Use more than one type of research method. Speak to a wide variety of people, read, research your industry, and use your eyes and ears.
• Do not try to only find facts that confirm your optimism. Find out which parts will not work and which parts will need extra investment. As you get feedback, you 'subtract' from your initial idea until only a kernel of possibility remains. If that kernel is viable, you can proceed with your business.
• When speaking to people, stay neutral and do not ask leading questions. People might tell you what they think you want to hear. On the other hand, you build valuable contacts and potential custom through research, so portray a professional image.
• Be sensitive when doing research. Ask permission from heads of institutions, and owners of shops. Do not pressure people into giving confidential information about others
• Always err on the side of caution. For example, if someone in a similar industry has a turnover of R100 000 a month, assume that this is the maximum you can expect, not the minimum.
• The planning cycle is a continuous process. As you do more research you will change your thinking and strategy, which will in turn inform further research. The cycle continues after you've started a business. Your research then consists of your sales figures, your expenses, feedback from your customers, feedback from your staff, and information about what your competitors are doing. A business plan is a dynamic, ever-changing constantly updated tool that all successful business owners use.

The four main areas of the business plan

• What exactly is it that my business will do?
• Will it optimise quality, speed, affordability, flexibility (the ability to custom-make as opposed to mass-produce, or provide variety as opposed to a single, affordable product) or dependability? No business can optimise all five. Small businesses are seldom good at mass production.
• What will my business NOT do?
• A sales forecast - How much will I sell?
• A client profile - Who will buy my product?
• A competitor profile-Who are my direct competitors, what substitutes are there in the market?
• A product profile - What is the core product and what are the extra features?
• A distribution strategy - Is location important, will I deliver?
• A pricing strategy - what will people be prepared to pay? How much can I expect to sell at that price? Will this cover my direct costs plus overheads?
• A promotional strategy - how will I create awareness of and demand for my product?
• Buying information from market research companies is very expensive.
• Doing your own market research it is much cheaper, you will learn more, make new contacts and even promote your business.
• Collect demographic statistics (from municipalities, Statistics South Africa, academic research institutes).
• Other businesses might pass on their research findings to you, especially if your business will benefit theirs.
• Speak to people in similar business in a different area, who are not direct competition.
• Do door-to-door surveys or distribute questionnaires
• Count how many people and cars go past the location you have in mind for your business if you are going to rely on passing trade
• Investigate direct competitors - their produce, their turnover, and their customers.
• Speak to the suppliers of your competitors.
• Test your ideas when speaking to people you meet.
• If you already have a business and want to expand or change in any way, speak to your customers, as well as to people who are not yet your customers, but who you want to attract.
• What are the important features of the product? How is each product made?
• What equipment, accessories, material and labour do I need?
• What is total number of factory hours needed to meet sales forecasts? How many delays can I expect and what might cause them?
• Will there be any variation in demand and how will this affect production?
• Who are my suppliers?
• What kind of facility do I need and where should it be located?
• What should my factory floor layout look like?
• How can I ensure quality and cost control?
• What will my workflow processes and schedules look like?
• What will my stock control system look like?
• How is the manufacturing process administered, from receiving an order to sending out an invoice?
• How will I keep records of my stock, in other words, how will my stock control system work?
• Use the sales forecast from your marketing plan as starting point to plan your operations.
• Become familiar with the technical aspects of your business. Even if you have a technical expert as partner, make sure you understand the answers to the above questions.
• Speak to suppliers, other business owners.
• Read up on workflow processes in your industry.
• Get the help of industry specialists.
• How many people do I need? How many should be full-time, part-time or contractors?
• What should their skills, experience and personal qualities be?
• Who should report to whom?
• How will responsibilities and tasks be divided into job descriptions?
• How much will salaries amount to?
• What other costs are involved (e.g. pension, UIF, sick funds)
• Are there minimum wages or a collective bargaining council agreement that govern my industry?
• What kind of training will I carry out and how much will this cost?
• Can I outsource certain functions rather than employ staff of my own - how much will this cost?
• How do I hand over more and more of the tasks in my business to staff members so that it frees me up to do what a business owner is supposed to do: strategic planning.
• Look at your operations plan and work out how many people you need.
• Think very carefully about how much of the work you will be able to take on yourself and plan to delegate as much as possible as soon as possible. Many business owners take on too much for too long and have problems delegating.
• Study similar businesses for job descriptions and management structures (who reports to whom).
• Approach personnel agents and industry experts.
• Sales for the first year (or for the next year if you are already in business)
• Cost of sales
• Gross profit
• Start-up costs
• Debtor and creditor period
• How much you will need to borrow
• Whether you will make enough to pay it back

Research methods

• If you don't know basic financial management concepts and functions, learn them. Read, study, or ask. It is the basis of business. If you need to, you can use your accountant as a financial teacher, as long as you don't lean on him as business strategist
• If at all possible, learn how to use spreadsheets for your financial planning. Your competition is, and it gives them an edge over anyone who doesn't.
• Your marketing, operations and staffing plans should give you the answers to the first six forecasts above (sales, cost of sales, etc).
• Look at the industry standard for average debtor and creditor periods
• Speak to other business owners.
• Approach support organisations and business consultants.
• A forecasted income statement
• A cash flow forecast
• A forecasted balance sheet

The structure of a written plan 

• Your written document can follow the same structure as the process described above.
• Turn the questions into logical headings, for example, 'Client profile'; 'Job descriptions'; 'Training plan.
• Change the level of detail and the order, depending on who has to read it.
• Add appendices with graphs, organograms and charts if necessary.
• Start your business plan with a description of your strategic focus, and a summary of the main points in your business plan

A final word of caution 

• Planning is important, but don't become stuck in planning mode.
• Thinking and research attempts to minimise nasty surprises, but you can never be absolutely certain that everything will go according to plan.
• Going over to action will always involve some risk.
• Most people spend between 1 and 6 months on their initial planning
• A written business plan seldom needs to be more than 20 pages, financial statements included.
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