Application Deadline: 16 March 2026 (midday)
Applications are now open for the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards Programme. The Social Innovation Awards programme is aimed at entrepreneurs and social enterprises whose products, services or business models respond to real barriers faced by women, youth, people living in rural areas and persons with disabilities. They recognise innovators with prototypes or early-stage businesses tackling social challenges across sectors such as health, housing, rural livelihoods, energy, water and financial inclusion.
The awards offer funding, alongside tailored mentorship, technical support and business development assistance to help strengthen and scale early-stage ventures. Since 2015, the programme has invested over R88 million in funding and business development support, backing more than 200 innovators. These ventures collectively employ more than 4 000 people and support over 16 000 livelihoods.
THE SOCIAL INNOVATION AWARDS
The award is aimed at innovators/social entrepreneurs/institutions/social enterprises with prototypes or early-stage businesses that can solve a social problem.
THE DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT AWARDS
The award is aimed at innovators/ social entrepreneurs/ institutions/ social enterprises whose innovations focus on empowering and enabling persons with disabilities access economic opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
- If you have previously received assistance from the SAB Foundation through the Tholoana Enterprise Programme, you are not eligible to apply.
- The SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards are open to any innovation solution that offers a credible prospect of meeting a demonstrable social
and/ or economic need evidenced by the SAB Foundation’s target low-income beneficiary groups (with a particular emphasis on innovation that benefits women, youth, persons with
disabilities and people living in rural areas), as well as demonstrating potential as sustainable businesses. - Entries are welcomed from South African individuals, innovators, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and university departments. Entrants may enter as individuals on their own, or as
members of a team, in which case one individual team leader shall complete the online application form. - The innovation entered must be the original work of the applicant and a true innovation and/ or a significant improvement on an existing technology, product, service, and production
method or business model. - Product innovation covers innovations in both goods and services, which can be divided into new or improved products. A new product has different characteristics and intended
uses than existing products. It may use new technologies, knowledge and products or a combination of these. An improved product is an existing product whose performance is
significantly increased; in terms of either increased output or a reduction in cost. - Process innovation is the adaption or creation of improved ways to deliver a product or service. It could come from changes in knowledge, perception and understanding. For poverty
reduction, process innovations can increase the level of service delivery to beneficiaries, or enable practitioners to reach previously untouched groups or individuals. - Applications are open to all South African citizens, 18 years or older. All participants must submit a certified copy of their South African identity document with their online applications.
- The innovation/solution must have progressed past the “blue-sky” thinking stage: there must be some evidence of investment by the applicant. This means that applicants must be
able to show proof that prior to applying, they have spent time and/or money developing the innovation: planning, developing and testing prototypes, market and industry research,
developing a business plan.
HOW TO APPLY
- Online applications open on 10 February 2026 and close on 16 March 2026 at midday.
- Read through this brochure to check if your organisation or idea would be a good fit for the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards based on its impact on at least one of the four focus areas (women, youth, persons with disabilities or people living in rural areas).
- Select the programme you are applying for: SOCIAL INNOVATION AWARD or THE DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT AWARD
- Read through the online application guidance document.
- Complete the online application form. The link is available on the SAB Foundation website (sabfoundation.co.za/social-innovation-awards) or click here to go through to the application page.
- Make sure you complete and submit your application before the deadline.
- Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
- The SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards seek the best ideas to enhance the lives of previously disadvantaged South Africans. Specific consideration will be given during the judging process to the race, gender, age and disability status of applicants.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards Programme
