2026 Social Innovation Awards

About

The 2026 Social Innovation Awards, organized by the SAB Foundation, offers grant funding and support for early-stage entrepreneurs and social enterprises in South Africa, focusing on high-impact sectors such as health and housing, with benefits including mentorship and national recognition.

Benefits

• 💰 Financial Support
• Grant funding provided to support project initiatives
• 🎓 Mentorship Program
• Access to customized mentorship tailored to the needs of the startup
• 🛠️ Technical Consulting
• Support in technical aspects to enhance product/service viability
• 📈 Business Development Support
• Guidance on business development strategies and market expansion
• 🌟 National Recognition
• Increased visibility and recognition on a national level for participating startups

Eligibility Criteria

• 🌍 Geographic Eligibility
• Open to startups operating in South Africa
• 💼 Business Stage
• Must be an early-stage entrepreneur with a validated prototype
• 🏢 Industry Focus
• Targeting sectors such as health, housing, rural livelihoods, energy, water and sanitation, and financial inclusion
• 💡 Innovation Requirement
• Must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive innovation solutions addressing social issues
• 📈 Impact Potential
• Must have a scalable business model with measurable social impact potential

Participation Commitments

• 📍 Application Submission
• Must submit a detailed application outlining the social problem addressed
• 🎤 Presentation Requirement
• May be required to present the project and its impact potential during the selection process

Target Region

South Africa

Target Sector

Social innovation focusing on high-impact sectors