Call for applications: Creative accelerator in SA

The three-month business development programme will include in-depth and custom-built coaching from international and local social enterprise experts. The programme is intended to support creative social enterprises that are at the ideation and growth stages to build or enhance their business models and bring social impact to the forefront of their work. It aims to help creative social enterprises to become funding ready and/or access new market opportunities.

Participants for this selective programme will be recruited through a competitive online application process and can include enterprises operating in the performing arts, creative arts, fashion and textile design through to stage and set design, graphic design and film and TV.

The application deadline is 1 April and participants can apply here.

Who should apply?

• Creative social entrepreneurs who live in Johannesburg and Cape Town and are excited to take their idea/growing enterprise to the next level.
• Social and creative entrepreneurs.
• Applicants who are ready to take their idea/growing enterprise to the next level.
• Find out more about who should apply.

The programme offers the following:

• ​A learning programme by global social experts.
• High-impact business development support.
• In-depth coaching from successful creative entrepreneurs.
• Opportunity for creative business to become funding-ready.
• Opportunities for market access.

“Creative entrepreneurship can play a significant role in addressing joblessness in South Africa and therefore more needs to be done to develop enterprises in the creative sector,” Social Enterprise Academy African partnerships director Rachael Millson said.

“In the face of rising unemployment, creative enterprises are employers, especially of young people, they open up business opportunities, especially for women, and they help build livelihoods for people living in local communities. Beyond their inclusive economic contribution, many creative enterprises address social issues.”

The British Council’s Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) programme manager Kate Gardner said: “Creative social enterprises have an artistic and social vision while operating as income-generating businesses. By working with creative social enterprises, we are able to support the arts, enable the continued social impact of these enterprises and contribute to the growth of a creative economy that creates quality work opportunities for South Africa’s most underserved communities.”

For more information about this call, visit the Impact Makers and Creators official website.