YOU Micro-Enterprise Accelerator

YOU Micro-Enterprise Accelerator

The YOU Micro-Enterprise Accelerator is a flagship program of the South African Youth Business Forum (SAYBF), created to support and uplift small-scale youth-owned businesses that form the backbone of South Africa’s economy. Recognizing that many young entrepreneurs face barriers such as limited resources, lack of mentorship, and restricted access to finance, the Accelerator is designed to provide comprehensive support to micro-enterprises, enabling them to stabilize, grow, and eventually scale. This program reflects SAYBF’s vision of ensuring that no youth entrepreneur is left behind, regardless of the size or stage of their business.

Through a combination of mentorship, training, and financial linkages, the YOU Micro-Enterprise Accelerator equips participants with the practical knowledge and skills needed to strengthen their operations. From developing sound business models and improving financial management to leveraging technology and building customer networks, the Accelerator delivers hands-on solutions tailored to the realities of micro-enterprises. It also provides young entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect with industry leaders, funders, and peers, creating a supportive ecosystem that fosters collaboration and innovation.

More than just a growth program, the YOU Micro-Enterprise Accelerator is a launchpad for sustainable success. It focuses not only on the immediate survival of youth-owned businesses but also on their long-term impact in driving job creation and community development. By nurturing resilience and entrepreneurial confidence, the Accelerator empowers youth to transform small ideas into sustainable enterprises that uplift local economies and inspire the next generation of business leaders. In this way, SAYBF ensures that micro-enterprises—often overlooked yet vital—become powerful engines of South Africa’s economic transformation.

"Small Hustles, Big Impact."