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CIMP — Centre for Inclusive Markets and Partnerships

WHAT WE OFFER

Capital and expertise
to turn insight into growth.

CIMP's two asset classes, Project Development and Equity, are designed to support entrepreneurship, commercialise research and empower start-ups and established businesses to grow and evolve. Six investment pathways, backed by the Centre's research and partnerships, match each enterprise to the right support at the right stage.

Explore the asset classes ↘Explore investment programmes →
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT · EQUITY

TWO CONNECTED ASSET CLASSES

From promising ideas
to lasting growth.

Big challenges need better connections, and so do good ideas. CIMP's two asset classes, Project Development and Equity, link businesses, researchers, investors and development partners so that opportunities can move from preparation to investment to growth.

The structure, eligibility and availability of any support depend on the specific opportunity and an assessment by the relevant partners.

OUR ASSET CLASSES

Two ways to
back what's next.

Each asset class meets enterprises at a different point in their journey. Explore how they work, and how they work together.

01 / PROJECT READINESS

Project Development

Expert support to prepare, structure and deliver projects that help enterprises grow and strengthen the industries and value chains they belong to. Where an opportunity is ready for investment, it can move on to Equity.

Explore Project Development ↘
02 / GROWTH CAPITAL

Equity

Investment that backs entrepreneurs and enterprises ready to grow, from start-ups to established businesses, and builds on the preparation and research behind each opportunity.

Explore Equity ↘

INVESTMENT PATHWAYS & FINANCING PROGRAMMES

Six pathways,
matched to your stage and goals.

Backed by assets under management of over R244 billion (nearly US$15 billion), six specialised investment pathways deliver our Equity and Project Development asset classes. Each is designed around enterprise stage, risk profile and investment objective. Select a pathway to explore its focus and illustrative range.

01EARLY-STAGE ENTERPRISES

Seed and Start-up Venture Capital Fund

Seed and early equity capital for promising start-ups, prototypes and early commercial traction.

Illustrative range: R250,000–R5 million ↘ 02GROWING SMMEs

SMME Growth and Expansion Fund

Growth capital for viable SMMEs expanding capacity, productivity or market reach.

Illustrative range: R1 million–R15 million ↘ 03INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Inclusive Enterprise and Community Investment Fund

Investment for viable enterprises in underserved markets and communities, widening access to growth capital.

Illustrative range: R250,000–R10 million ↘ 04LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS

Strategic Infrastructure and Industrial Investment Fund

Commercially viable infrastructure and industrial projects, including co-investment and project preparation support that strengthens industries and value chains.

Illustrative range: R10 million–R100 million+ ↘ 05HIGH-GROWTH INNOVATION

Innovation and Technology Venture Fund

Capital for technology-driven businesses with scalable products, services or intellectual property, including ventures that commercialise research.

Illustrative range: R500,000–R20 million ↘ 06MATURE ENTERPRISES

Private Equity and Business Acquisition Fund

Growth equity and acquisition capital for established, revenue-generating businesses.

Illustrative range: R10 million–R100 million+ ↘

01 / PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Make projects
ready to deliver.

Discuss a project ↗

Project Development helps shape an opportunity into a clearer, more complete and investment-ready proposition.

CIMP works with project sponsors and partners to build understanding of what a project needs to progress, from early definition through planning and preparation. Drawing on the Centre's research and partnerships, this support helps enterprises grow and strengthens the industries and value chains they belong to.

Development support may include

  • Clarifying project objectives, scope and development pathway
  • Identifying evidence, partners and expertise needed to advance the work
  • Turning research findings into projects that can be tested, funded and delivered
  • Strengthening readiness for discussion with potential funders and investors

The exact scope of support depends on the project, its development stage and the capabilities of participating partners.

02 / EQUITY

Invest in the
potential to grow.

Discuss an equity opportunity ↗

Equity can provide risk capital to businesses with the ambition and potential to scale.

Within the CIMP model, equity partnerships are intended to support entrepreneurship, help commercialise research and back start-ups and established businesses as they grow and evolve. Equity is delivered through the investment pathways below, matched to enterprise stage, risk profile and investment objective.

Where equity can contribute

  • Helping promising businesses pursue their next stage of growth
  • Supporting research-led ventures as they move toward commercialisation
  • Strengthening companies building products, services and local capability

Each opportunity requires an individual assessment. Investment structure, eligibility, terms and availability are determined with the relevant partners.

PATHWAY 01 / EARLY-STAGE ENTERPRISES

Seed and Start-up
Venture Capital Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR250,000–R5 million per enterprise

For start-ups and innovative businesses with a promising concept, prototype, initial customers or early commercial traction.

Potential support

  • Seed capital for business establishment and product development
  • Equity investments in early-stage enterprises
  • Funding for technology, innovation and market validation
  • Support for business modelling, management and commercialisation
Enquire about this pathway ↗

PATHWAY 02 / GROWING SMMEs

SMME Growth and
Expansion Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR1 million–R15 million per enterprise

For commercially viable SMMEs seeking capital to expand operations, improve productivity or enter new markets.

Potential support

  • Equity and quasi-equity investments
  • Production equipment and capacity expansion
  • Working capital where suitable for an investment structure
  • Franchising, expansion into additional locations and smaller-scale business acquisitions
Enquire about this pathway ↗

PATHWAY 03 / INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Inclusive Enterprise and
Community Investment Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR250,000–R10 million per enterprise

A dedicated pathway for qualifying enterprises in underserved markets, including rural areas, townships and communities with limited access to investment capital.

Potential support

  • Women-owned and youth-owned businesses
  • Viable agricultural and agro-processing ventures
  • Community enterprise and cooperative development
  • Investment partnerships with local development organisations
Enquire about this pathway ↗

PATHWAY 04 / LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS

Strategic Infrastructure and
Industrial Investment Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR10 million–R100 million+ per project

For commercially viable industrial and infrastructure-related projects, potentially alongside institutional investors and development finance institutions. Project Development support can help prepare projects for this stage.

Potential sectors

  • Renewable energy and energy infrastructure
  • Manufacturing and industrial development
  • Logistics, warehousing and distribution
  • Commercial agriculture and agro-processing infrastructure
  • Selected digital and telecommunications infrastructure

Investment is subject to co-investment arrangements and project risk.

Enquire about this pathway ↗

PATHWAY 05 / HIGH-GROWTH INNOVATION

Innovation and
Technology Venture Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR500,000–R20 million per enterprise

For technology-driven businesses with potential to develop scalable products, services or intellectual property, including ventures that commercialise research.

Potential areas

  • Financial technology and digital platforms
  • Artificial intelligence and software development
  • Health, agricultural and industrial technologies
  • Research commercialisation and intellectual property-based enterprises
Enquire about this pathway ↗

PATHWAY 06 / MATURE ENTERPRISES

Private Equity and
Business Acquisition Fund

Illustrative investment rangeR10 million–R100 million+ per transaction

For established businesses with a revenue base and opportunities for operational improvement, expansion, consolidation or succession.

Potential support

  • Growth equity and strategic shareholding
  • Management buyouts and succession-related investments
  • Larger business acquisitions and consolidation
  • Operational improvement and corporate restructuring
Enquire about this pathway ↗

BEFORE YOU ENQUIRE

Each opportunity is
considered on its merits.

Pathway descriptions and investment ranges are illustrative. Support is assessed with the relevant partners, and an enquiry is the start of a conversation, not an application, offer or commitment to invest.

Any support, whether Equity or Project Development, is subject to:

  • the relevant fund mandate and eligibility requirements
  • available capital
  • due diligence and risk assessment
  • approval and agreed terms
Contact CIMP ↗

Start a conversation about your enterprise or project.

Explore ways to work with CIMP →

For researchers, industry and government partners.

A CONNECTED APPROACH

Support the idea.
Strengthen the project. Grow the business.

Equity and Project Development can work together. Preparation helps clarify what a project needs, and the right capital can help a business pursue growth.

01
Understand the opportunity

We start with the evidence, looking at the market, the enterprise or project, and what it needs to progress.

02
Build readiness and partnerships

Together with the relevant partners, we strengthen the proposition and bring in the expertise, research and relationships it needs.

03
Explore an investment pathway

Where an opportunity is ready, we look at which of the six pathways fits its stage, risk profile and investment objective.

Not every opportunity will need both asset classes, and each is assessed on its merits.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Have a business, project,
or idea in mind?

Talk to CIMP about an enterprise opportunity, a research venture or a potential collaboration. Tell us where you are, what you are working towards and who else is involved, and we will explore the right route with you and our partners.

Contact the CIMP team ↗Opportunities & Partnership Calls ↗Explore our focus areas ↗

CIMP OFFICE

Pretoria office

Contact and visit information for the CIMP office.

Telephone
Details to be confirmed
Physical address
Details to be confirmed
Postal address
Details to be confirmed
For enquiries, email hello@cimp.co.za ↗

CIMP OFFICE

Cape Town office

Contact and visit information for the CIMP office.

Telephone
Details to be confirmed
Physical address
Details to be confirmed
Postal address
Details to be confirmed
For enquiries, email hello@cimp.co.za ↗