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Edge Growth - Funding Readiness Assessment

Is Your Business Ready for Funding?

SMEs like you are key to driving job creation and economic growth in South Africa. There are many obstacles on the road to business success, but the lack of access to funding remains one of the most significant SME growth inhibitors. We want to help you find out where your business is positioned on this quest to find funding, but before you continue, stop to consider these essential questions.

3 Questions to Answer Honestly Before Embarking on a Funding Journey:

1. What problem are you solving that customers will pay for?

2. Is your business offering innovative and well aligned with market trends to attract funders?

3. Are you ready to embrace the accountability that funding brings?

How it works: Answer the 15 questions below. Add your score after each answer. At the end, total your points to see how ready your business is for funding and get advice on what to do next.

Step 1 of 4 0%

Section A: Business Compliance (Mandatory)

All items must be answered "Yes" to qualify for funding consideration

Note: If the answer to any of the questions below is "No", we would not be able to further consider an application for funding.

Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No

Section B: Money and Finances

Max Points: 30

Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt

Section C: Customers and Growth

Max Points: 15

Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt

Section D: People and Systems

Max Points: 15

Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt
Always5 pts
Often4 pts
Sometimes3 pts
Rarely2 pts
Never1 pt

Complete Your Company Profile

Please provide your business details to view your Funding Readiness Score.

Ownership Breakdown

Enter each percentage independently (need not total 100%)

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Your Funding Readiness Score

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/ 60
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Score Breakdown

A
Business Compliance
Mandatory — Pass/Fail
—
B
Money & Finances
Max 30 points
0
C
Customers & Growth
Max 15 points
0
D
People & Systems
Max 15 points
0

Take Your Results Home

Download a copy of your responses, score and recommendations as a PDF. Keep it as a record to identify gaps and work on improving your funding readiness.

Next Steps & Recommendations

Recommended Funding Types for You

What Type of Funding is

Best for Your Business?

GRANTS – FREE MONEY YOU DON’T PAY BACK

Best for:

  • Early-stage businesses
  • Youth-owned, black-owned, women-owned, rural or township businesses
  • Businesses with social impact (e.g., job creation)

PROS: No repayment required
CONS: Highly competitive, paperwork-heavy, takes timed

WHERE TO LOOK:

  • Government programmes
  • Development agencies
  • Foundations and non-profit organisations
  • Business support organisations

LOANS (DEBT) – MONEY YOU BORROW AND REPAY WITH INTEREST

Best for:

  • Businesses with revenue and cash flow
  • Working capital or equipment needs
  • Those with financial discipline and systems

TYPES OF LOANS:

  • Term Loans: Fixed monthly repayments (e.g., 12–60 months)
  • Revolving Loans / Overdrafts: Use as needed and repay
  • Asset Finance: For buying equipment, vehicles

PROS: Keeps ownership of your business
CONS: You must repay with interest; may need collateral

WHERE TO LOOK:

  • Government programmes
  • Development agencies
  • Foundations and non-profit organisations
  • Business support organisations

EQUITY FUNDING – YOU SELL A SHARE OF YOUR BUSINESS TO AN INVESTOR

Best for:

  • High-growth, scalable businesses (tech, manufacturing, etc.)
  • Businesses with strong leadership and a clear growth plan
  • Those open to sharing ownership and control

TYPES OF EQUITY INVESTORS:

  • Angel Investors: Wealthy individuals who invest early-stage
  • Venture Capital (VC): Firms that invest in fast-growing businesses
  • Private Equity: For more mature, profitable businesses

PROS: No repayment; strategic support

CONS: You give up equity; investor typically expects high returns

WHERE TO LOOK:

  • Private investors (also called “angel investors”)
  • Venture capital firms
  • Investment companies

PURCHASE ORDER (PO) OR INVOICE FINANCING

Best for:

  • SMEs with confirmed orders or contracts but no upfront cash
  • Suppliers to corporates or government

HOW IT WORKS:

  • A funder gives you cash based on your order or invoice
  • You repay once the client pays you

PROS: Fast access to cash

CONS: Only works if you already have an order or invoice

WHERE TO LOOK:

  • Alternative lenders
  • Short-term finance companies
  • Invoice finance providers

How to

Choose the Right Option

YOUR SITUATION

Just starting, need help Earning income, want to grow Need equipment or stock Big growth plans, tech/product focus Impact focus (green, women, youth)

TRY THIS TYPE OF FUNDING

Grants or early-stage support Loans or blended finance Asset finance, PO/invoice finance Angel or VC equity Blended finance or grant + loan combo

TIP: Have These Ready Before You Apply

  • Company registration (CIPC)
  • Tax clearance certificate
  • B-BBEE affidavit
  • Business bank account
  • Financial records (income, expenses, projections)
  • Growth plan or pitch deck