Isivande Women’s Fund (IWF) business funding for Empowerment -

The Isivande Women’s Fund (IWF) accelerates women’s economic empowerment. It provides more affordable, usable, and responsive finance than is currently available. As a result, it helps women grow and strengthen their businesses.

The Identity Development Fund Managers implements the IWF. The fund targets formally registered enterprises. These businesses must be 60% women-owned or women-managed. In addition, they must have operated for at least two years. The loan ranges from R30 000 to R2 million.

Furthermore, Dream Team Capital (DTC) helps businesses access the IWF. It also assists with the required preparation and development to improve application success.

Support and Funding Focus

The IWF supports businesses through tailored services. It improves business performance and increases the chances of success. Moreover, the fund supports start-ups, business expansion, rehabilitation, franchising, and bridging finance.

The Isivande Women’s Fund (IWF)

Black women are often the most marginalised and under-resourced group in South Africa, yet many act like breadwinners in the home. Starting a business is a challenge for anyone but black entrepreneurs and women in particular face many barriers to accessing business and financial support.

Government aims to assist aspiring female small business owners through the IWF, which is administrated through the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).

Female entrepreneurs are growing in numbers, but without access to appropriate funding many start-ups will find it difficult to grow their businesses, regardless of whether there’s a man or woman at the helm. Fortunately, access to funds for female entrepreneurs is improving thanks to government and private enterprises.

In fact, The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) noted that 72% of micro-enterprises and 40% of small enterprises are currently owned by women.

The IWF offers support services to improve the success of your business. The aim of the fund is to create self-sustaining black- and female-owned businesses by offering primary financial and non-financial support.

Funding Criteria for Isivande Women’s Fund (IWF) business funding

The women enterprises have to meet the following criteria:

- At least 6 months in operation;
- Requires early stage, expansions and growth capital;
- Formally registered enterprises that have 50% plus one share owned and managed by women;
- Have potential for growth and commercial sustainability; and
- Improved social impact in the form of job creation.

At DTC, we understand the complexities of the various funding agencies and the unique application criteria for each. We have assisted thousands of entrepreneurs through the application process to access funding for businesses, and we can assist you with the same.