Cape Town Tourism’s Board Development Fund (BDF) is one way the organisation is helping young entrepreneurs gain a foothold in the tourism industry.

The BDF was created in 2013 by the CTT Board to provide access to mentorship and practical resources to historically disadvantaged businesses. The BDF has subsequently provided support to two to three businesses every year; businesses that showed great potential and with the BDF backing have gone on to grow their company and broaden their scope.

Programme overview 

The chosen businesses will each receive R50 000 in support of their businesses’ growth as well as non-financial support by Cape Town Tourism via coaching, mentoring and complimentary membership, etc.

The programme will run from 1 ^st November 2018 – 31^st October 2019.
The funds will be paid out in accordance with an agreed pay-out plan and criteria.

Programme criteria:

• South African Citizen
• Black owned (>50% black owned)
• Credit-worthy
• Owner-managed business (must be involved in business on permanent basis in the day-to-day operations of the business)
• Must comply with all legal requirements to operate the type of business
• Business must be conducted with profit motive and be economically viable
• Operational for not longer than 5 years
• Tourism-related business
• Micro and very small enterprises as per The National Small Business Act
• Innovative and fresh business concept
• Cape Town based

Call for Applications

We call on all HDI SMMEs that adhere to the above criteria to submit a proposal with supporting documentation. (Businesses that have previously applied, 2016-2017, will be able to re-apply subject to the above criteria).
Your proposal must highlight how you would spend the R50 000 to grow your existing innovative business. Please include a business profile in your proposal.
Proposal must be mailed or delivered in a sealed envelope to the Cape Town Tourism Head Office for the attention of Jenni Vermaas by Monday, 13^th August 2018 at 12h00.

Timeline and process

All proposals will be considered by an evaluating committee after the deadline for submissions.

A shortlist of four applicants will present their proposal to the Adjudication Committee who will then select two businesses to receive the support for the period 1^st November 2018 – 31^st October 2019.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days from deadline date, consider your application unsuccessful. The process will be concluded by mid-October 2018.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jenni Vermaas – jenni@capetown.travel or call +27 (0) 21 487 6851 should you have any queries.