SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards 2026

📝 About SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards

The Social Innovation Awards programme is aimed at entrepreneurs and social enterprises whose products, services, or business models address real barriers faced by:

• Women
• Youth
• People living in rural areas
• Persons with disabilities

The awards recognize innovators with prototypes or early-stage businesses tackling social challenges across sectors such as:

• Health
• Housing
• Rural livelihoods
• Energy
• Water
• Financial inclusion

🎁 Benefits of SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards

• Awards range from R300,000 to R1,300,000, along with business development support to assist with venture growth.
• Awardees are assessed on a case-by-case basis and placed on a tailored mentorship programme. This programme is flexible and adjusted to the needs of each awardee, as mutually agreed by both awardee and mentor.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

1. Previous Assistance: Applicants who have previously received assistance from the SAB Foundation through the Tholoana Enterprise Programme are not eligible to apply.
2. Target Beneficiaries: Innovations must address social and/or economic needs for SAB Foundation’s target low-income beneficiary groups, with emphasis on:
   • Women
   • Youth
   • Persons with disabilities
   • People living in rural areas
3. Entrants: Open to South African individuals, innovators, entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and university departments. Applicants may enter as individuals or as members of a team (with one team leader completing the application form).
4. Original Work: The innovation must be the original work of the applicant or a significant improvement on an existing technology, product, service, production method, or business model.
5. Innovation Types:
   • Product Innovation: New or improved products with different characteristics or intended uses.
   • Process Innovation: Improved ways to deliver a product or service, increasing service delivery or reaching untouched groups.
6. Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older and submit a certified copy of their South African identity document.
7. Development Stage: Innovations must have progressed beyond the "blue-sky" thinking stage. Applicants must show evidence of investment in planning, developing, and testing prototypes, conducting market research, and creating a business plan.
8. Participation Rules: Refer to the "Participation Rules" on the online application forms for Terms and Conditions.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Opening Date: 10 February 2026
• Closing Date: 16 March 2026 (midday)

Steps to Apply:

1. Check Eligibility: Review the brochure to ensure your organisation or idea aligns with the awards' focus areas (women, youth, persons with disabilities, or people living in rural areas).
2. Select Programme: Choose between:
   • Social Innovation Award
   • Disability Empowerment Award
3. Read Guidance Document: Familiarize yourself with the online application guidance document.
4. Complete Application: Fill out the online application form available on the SAB Foundation website.
5. Submit Application: Ensure your application is submitted before the deadline. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
6. Judging Process: Specific consideration will be given to the race, gender, age, and disability status of applicants.

📌 Application Deadline

16 March 2026

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the awards on the SAB Foundation website.
• Apply directly via the SAB Foundation application portal.

This opportunity is a fantastic chance for innovators and entrepreneurs to make a meaningful impact on society while receiving substantial support for their ventures. Don't miss out!

• Awards can range from R300,000 - R1,300,000 along with business development support to assist with venture growth.
• In addition to the prize money detailed above, the awardees are assessed on a case-by-case basis and placed on a tailored mentorship programme. This programme is flexible and adjusted to the needs of each awardee, as mutually agreed by both awardee and mentor.