Written by Applications are now open for the SAB Foundation 2026 Social Innovation Awards Programme, offering a total of R2.2 million in grant funding to support innovative South African entrepreneurs and social enterprises addressing pressing social challenges.
Hosted by the SAB Foundation, the awards recognise and fund entrepreneurs whose products, services, or business models remove barriers faced by women, youth, people living in rural areas, and persons with disabilities. The programme supports innovations across sectors, including health, housing, rural livelihoods, energy, water, and financial inclusion.
Since its launch in 2015, the programme has invested over R88 million in funding and business development support, backing more than 200 innovators. These supported ventures collectively employ over 4,000 people and sustain more than 16,000 livelihoods across South Africa.
Award Categories
Social Innovation Awards
This award supports innovators, social entrepreneurs, institutions, and social enterprises with prototypes or early-stage businesses that solve clear social problems affecting low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Disability Empowerment Awards
This award specifically recognises innovations that empower persons with disabilities by improving access to economic opportunities, inclusion, and participation in society.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 years or older and submit a certified copy of their South African ID with their application.
• Entries are open to South African individuals, innovators, entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and university departments. Applicants may apply individually or as a team (with one designated team leader completing the online form).
• The innovation must be the original work of the applicant and represent either a true innovation or a significant improvement to an existing product, service, process, technology, production method, or business model.
• The innovation must demonstrate credible potential to meet a clear social and/or economic need among low-income beneficiary groups, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, or rural communities.
• Applicants must demonstrate that their solution has progressed beyond the idea stage, with evidence of time and/or financial investment in planning, research, prototype development, testing, or business planning.
• Previous recipients of support from the SAB Foundation through the Tholoana Enterprise Programme are not eligible to apply.
Innovation Definitions
- Product innovation includes new or significantly improved goods or services that differ in characteristics or intended uses, including those developed using new technologies or knowledge.
- Process innovation refers to improved methods of delivering products or services, particularly those that enhance service delivery, reduce costs, or enable access to previously underserved groups.
What Selected Innovators Receive
- Award recipients receive grant funding, tailored mentorship, technical support, and business development assistance to strengthen and scale their ventures.
- The programme provides not only financial backing but also strategic support to improve sustainability and long-term impact.
Application Timeline
Online applications open on 10 February 2026 and close on 16 March 2026 at midday.
Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
How to Apply
Applicants should first review the programme brochure to confirm alignment with at least one of the four focus areas: women, youth, persons with disabilities, or rural communities.
Select the appropriate category (Social Innovation Award or Disability Empowerment Award), review the online guidance document, and complete the application form available on the SAB Foundation website.
More information and application details are available on the official SAB Foundation webpage:
sabfoundation.co.za/social-innovation-awards