YOU Business Capital Drive

YOU Business Capital Drive

The YOU Business Capital Drive is a transformative initiative of the South African Youth Business Forum (SAYBF), dedicated to breaking down one of the biggest barriers facing young entrepreneurs: access to finance. Too often, youth-owned enterprises struggle to secure the capital needed to start, grow, or scale their businesses due to restrictive lending requirements, lack of collateral, or limited networks. The Capital Drive directly addresses these challenges by mobilizing resources, creating funding linkages, and advocating for inclusive financial systems that prioritize youth participation in the economy. It is a movement designed to ensure that young entrepreneurs are not excluded from opportunities simply because of financial constraints.

Through the YOU Business Capital Drive, SAYBF connects youth entrepreneurs with diverse funding streams, including grants, venture capital, angel investors, and development finance institutions. Beyond just sourcing funds, the program also equips participants with the financial literacy, investment readiness, and business planning skills required to manage capital responsibly and sustainably. It is not only about providing access to money, but also about preparing young entrepreneurs to handle growth, mitigate risks, and maximize returns. By combining capacity building with direct funding opportunities, the Capital Drive ensures that businesses are both financially supported and strategically positioned for long-term success.

The YOU Business Capital Drive goes beyond financing to ignite a culture of empowerment, ownership, and resilience among young entrepreneurs. It inspires youth to think boldly, pursue innovation, and embrace the responsibility of building enterprises that uplift communities and strengthen the national economy. In doing so, the Capital Drive becomes more than a funding initiative—it becomes a generational investment in South Africa’s future. By unlocking the potential of youth-led enterprises, SAYBF ensures that the energy, creativity, and determination of young people are transformed into businesses that create jobs, drive growth, and establish South Africa as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence.

"Fueling Youth Ideas with Real Capital."