Financing your business - National finance institutions

Banks are not the only places that provide start-up finance to entrepreneurs. It's just a matter of doing your research, having a good business plan and then being prepared to sell yourself.

Below is a list of some of the institutions who are prepared to give would-be business moguls the key to realising their dream.

Business Partners Limited

Business Partners is South Africa’s leading investment company for small and medium enterprises. The company invests between R250 000 and R15 million in SMEs across all sectors, with the exception of farming, on-lending and non-profit organisations.

Investment financing is offered for businesses at all stages of development, including start-ups, expansions, outright purchases, management buy-outs, management buy-ins, franchises, tenders and contracts. The company also manages a number of specialist funds, which provide investment financing for defined-profile entrepreneurs.

What makes Business Partners unique, is that it also has a range of support services for the enterepreneur. This includes property management consultants, mentors who are allocated according to the company's needs and access to other expertise need to ensure the success of a business.

Contact:
Cape Town: 021 464 3600
Durban: 031 240 7700
Johannesburg: 011 470 3111
e-mail:  enquiries@businesspartners.co.za
web:  www.businesspartners.co.za

Commercial Banks

The commercial banks have specialist SME divisions, providing finance for qualified entrepreneurs. Visit the banks’ websites to find out about their products and services, and their criteria to obtain finance.

ABSA Bank:  www.absa.co.za
First National Bank: www.fnb.co.za
Nedbank:  www.nedbank.co.za
Standard Bank:  www.standardbank.co.za

Khula Enterprise Finance

Khula Enterprise Finance Limited is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established in 1996 to facilitate access to finance for SMMEs. Khula provides assistance through various delivery channels. These include commercial banks, retail financial intermediaries (RFIs) and micro credit outlets (MCOs).

For more information, or to contact the various Khula channels, visit the website www.khula.org.za, or call:

Tel: (012) 394 5560/5900
Toll free: 0800 118815
e-Mail: helpline@khula.org.za

Industrial Development Corporation - (IDC)

The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd (IDC) is a self-financing, national Development Finance Institution (DFI). It was established in 1940 to promote economic growth and industrial development in South Africa.

Call Centre: 0860 693 888
Email: callcentre@idc.co.za
Website: www.idc.co.za

There are many other government funds, non-profit organisations and even private companies who are willing to invest in new businesses and existing companies who want to expand. Get information, formalise your plan and don't let a lack of finance stand in the way of you starting your business.