Apply for the SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards 2026 – South Africa Funding Opportunity

Applications are now open for the 2026 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, a flagship national funding and business support programme designed to accelerate early-stage innovations that address systemic socio-economic challenges in South Africa.

The initiative by the SAB Foundation supports entrepreneurs, innovators, institutions, and social enterprises whose solutions improve the lives of underserved and vulnerable communities across the country.

About the Awards Programme

The SAB Foundation Awards target innovations that have progressed beyond the conceptual phase and demonstrate both measurable social impact and commercial sustainability potential.

The programme prioritises solutions that benefit:

• Women

• Youth

• Persons with disabilities

• Rural communities

These awards recognise ventures offering products, services, technologies, or business models that directly respond to pressing socio-economic challenges.

Purpose of the SAB Foundation Awards

The programme is designed to:

• Support early-stage social enterprises with high impact potential

• Enable inclusive economic participation and job creation

• Advance solutions in critical sectors such as:

  • Health

  • Housing

  • Rural livelihoods

  • Energy and water access

  • Financial inclusion

• Promote economic empowerment for persons with disabilities

Since its launch in 2015, the SAB Foundation has invested over R88 million in more than 200 innovators, helping create 4,000+ jobs and supporting over 16,000 livelihoods.

Funding and Support Package

Successful applicants receive funding between:

R300,000 – R1,300,000

In addition to financial support, awardees benefit from:

• Tailored mentorship

• Business development support

• Technical assistance

• Structured growth programmes

• Venture-specific mentorship placement

Why You Should Apply

The SAB Foundation Awards provide more than funding—they offer a launchpad for scaling social impact. With mentorship, capital, and business support, selected innovators gain the tools needed to transform their ideas into sustainable, high-impact enterprises.

If you are building a solution that improves lives and drives inclusive growth in South Africa, this is your opportunity to gain national recognition and strategic support.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a South African citizen aged 18 years or older

• Submit a certified copy of their South African ID

• Be an innovator, entrepreneur, social enterprise, institution, or university department

The innovation must:

• Be the original work of the applicant

• Represent a new solution or significant improvement on an existing one

• Have progressed beyond the idea stage with evidence of prior development or investment

• Demonstrate measurable social impact

• Show strong commercial viability and sustainability potential

Note: Previous beneficiaries of the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme are not eligible.

Award Categories

Applicants must apply under one of the following:

1. Social Innovation Award

Supports innovations addressing broad socio-economic challenges in underserved communities.

2. Disability Empowerment Award

Focuses specifically on innovations that create economic participation opportunities for persons with disabilities, including:

• Assistive technologies

• Inclusive employment pathways

• Skills development solutions

• Income-generating models

Geographic Scope

• Country: South Africa

• Open to applicants from all provinces

Application Process

Applications Open: 10 February 2026
Application Deadline: 16 March 2026 at 12:00 PM

Applications must be submitted online via the SAB Foundation website.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will go through:

1. Eligibility screening

2. Judging panel assessment

3. Site visits (top 25 innovations)

4. Two-day innovation workshop

5. Final pitch to judging panel

6. Awards ceremony in Johannesburg

Key Details at a Glance

• Programme: SAB Foundation Social Innovation & Disability Empowerment Awards 2026

• Location: South Africa

• Funding: R300,000 – R1,300,000

• Deadline: 16 March 2026 (midday)

• Eligible Applicants: South African innovators, entrepreneurs, institutions, and social enterprises

Final Thoughts

The SAB Foundation Awards continue to play a critical role in unlocking innovative solutions that drive inclusive economic growth across South Africa. If your innovation addresses real challenges and has the potential to scale sustainably, this programme offers the resources and recognition you need to succeed.

Discover more awards opportunities HERE