Future Founder SA launches digital pathway to support young entrepreneurs in South Africa

The new 12-week programme offers training, mentorship and over R250,000 in seed funding to help young innovators turn ideas into viable ventures.

Nonkululeko Mokoena, Global Revenue Operations Lead, EMEA & SAP Educate To Employ Africa Lead, at SAP.

Future Founder SA, a new digital-first entrepreneurship programme, has officially launched to provide young people in South Africa with access to skills, networks, and funding opportunities to develop and grow their own businesses.

The initiative comes amid high youth unemployment, with nearly half of young South Africans out of work. The programme aims to address this challenge by equipping participants aged 18 to 35 with practical tools to turn ideas into sustainable ventures.

Future Founder SA is delivered through a coalition that includes Yoma, Goodwall, ALX Ventures, and RLabs, in partnership with SAP and Generation Unlimited. The 12-week online pathway combines challenge-based learning, digital skills development, masterclasses, mentorship, and access to catalytic capital.

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Future Founder SA is designed to close that gap by giving young people the tools, networks, and capital they need to act on their ideas,” said Tsepo Ngwenyama, Partnership Development Director at Yoma.

The programme is structured around three participation levels — Just an Idea, On My Way, and Almost There — ensuring tailored support at each stage of an entrepreneur’s journey. Participants engage in learning challenges hosted on Goodwall, receive foundational business training from ALX Ventures, and attend specialised masterclasses from RLabs.

“Future Founder SA is about enabling young South Africans to build the ventures and opportunities that will shape the country’s future,” said Nonkululeko Mokoena, Global Revenue Operations Lead, EMEA & SAP Educate To Employ Africa Lead, at SAP.

Throughout the programme, participants can earn financial rewards for completing milestones and will be guided by mentors and industry experts. The journey culminates in a final showcase, where 30 finalists will pitch for a share of over R250,000 in seed capital.

A key feature of the initiative is its integration with the Yoma.world platform, which provides each participant with a digital identity (YOID) and verifiable credentials for completed milestones. These records serve as proof of skills and experience, helping participants access future education, employment, and funding opportunities.