SME Rise

Your success starts here

SME Rise is the JSE Group’s SME development solution, connecting private companies to business benefits gained through growth solutions, funding readiness, international expansion, and capital access. It intends to nurture the future prosperity of aspiring participants. Our programmes and platforms support small, medium, and large enterprises in scaling up by growing market share, accessing funding, and improving their competitiveness.

Looking for the next level of business growth?
Need advice to grow your market share or access funding?
Want to enhance your competitiveness and learn from small business experts?
Are you interested in networking with like-minded founders?

Whatever your business objectives, you deserve a better chance at success.

"SME Rise signals our commitment to South Africa’s future prosperity through nurturing today’s aspiring changemakers. It is a uniquely South African offering and our determined contribution to economic growth."

Growth Solutions

We offer several programmes and platforms tailored to the different stages and needs of your business journey.

Scale your small business

The JSE Enterprise Accelerator is a customized solution to pivot medium sized enterprises. It has demonstrated success by helping companies grow between 15% to 150% in revenue, market expansion and organisational & leadership development.

The JSE Rise Think Tanks are one day workshops with industry experts to unpack areas identified as unique challenges or opportunities for Entrepreneurs. Each Think Tank is unique and has addressed topics such as Covid, Africa market expansion, ESG and many more.

The JSE Rise Funding Readiness training equips a business at any stage to be funding ready. The training encompasses everything from unpacking the funding landscape, business plan, market assessment, sales and marketing, financial review and financial projections and includes pitch readiness with direct pitch readiness support. A supporting toolkit of templates, models and guidance notes are provided as part of the training.

Capital Access

The JSE Rise Capital Matching Roadshow is a collaborative initiative between the JSE, government institutions, funders and SME development organisations to facilitate funding access for small and medium enterprises. Companies that have completed funding readiness are matched with a minimum of four funders based on their funding needs and the mandates of the funders. The Capital Matching day takes place in each region and is a pitch day directly with funding decision makers. Funding solutions vary from short-term solutions such as working capital financing, ESD funding, various debt structures and DFI financing.

The JSE provides listing as an opportunity for companies that are listing ready.Join the ranks of companies that were once listed on our AltX board. Click here for more information.

The JSE Private Placements is a digital matching platform for companies that are seeking equity or debt from investors. The platform provides access to a multitude of funders. Market Access.

We are committed to supporting the growth of the SA economy and understand that ease of doing business, access to funding and incentives are key factors in driving growth. As part of this focus we have lent our support to reducing red tape for small businesses in South Africa through initiatives.

The JSE has strategic collaborations with government institutions and Local and international sme development solution

Events and initiatives

SME Rise Enterprise Accelerator 2025 intake

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SME Rise Capital Matching Roadshow

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SME Rise in the news

JSE Rise Capital Matching Roadshow’ Set to Empower SMEs Across Three Provinces in 2024

06.06.2024

SME owners in Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State are encouraged to apply to participate in the JSE Rise Capital Matching Roadshow

JSE ramps up enterprise development with free speed coaching for SMEs

16.02.2022

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is ramping up the roll out of its enterprise development initiatives through a series of speed coaching sessions aimed at assisting small and medium-...

SMEs in JSE’s inaugural development programme raise nearly R1 billion and post strong performance

15.12.2022

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is delighted to announce that 16 medium-sized companies that participated in the JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme performed exceptionally, growi...

Western Cape Government & JSE collaborate to fund SME’s for growth

27.11.2023

The Western Cape Government Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) has collaborated with th

Interview: Insights into our SME Speed Coaching series

ME Rise Capital Matching Roadshow Cape Town 2023

Testimonial: Spark Schools

Creating a supportive environment for small business

Small business owners play an important role in shaping their communities. You are agile and innovative and often come up with disruptive ideas that revolutionise industries. By creating jobs and providing opportunities for local suppliers, you contribute to South Africa’s sustainable development at the grassroots level. You deserve better support, less administrative hassles and improved access to funding.

As the JSE, we seek to create an environment where SMEs can thrive. We collaborate with several organisations working to introduce better policies for SMEs. These include the National Agenda Steering Committee, the Start-up Act South Africa, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Department of Small Business Development.

Our focus is on reducing the red tape compliance burden, providing incentives and making it easier for local and international funders to finance SME development.

"Over the years, we’ve implemented and explored initiatives to support small business growth as this sector is vital to the economy and drives sustainable capital markets."

Cleola Kunene, Head: SME Development

SME Rise strategic partners

Government

Department of Small Business Development, SEDA, SEFA, NEF, Western Cape Government, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Free State Department of Economic Development, and Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development.

Business associations

The Southern African Venture Capital Association (SAVCA), SA SME, BUSA and BUSA and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA).

International agencies

World Bank, World Economic Forum (WEF), International Finance Corporation (IDC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Capital matching sponsors

Business Partners, African Bank, AltVest, Creative Growth Capital, Edge Growth, Endeavor, Black Business Council, Wesgro, SourceFin and ESquared.

Development

Endeavor, Bokamosa, W-Suite, NSBC Africa, Green Energy Africa and Oaktree.

Entrepreneur testimonials

"The JSE platform has allowed us to reflect and grow individually and as a business. We have benefited significantly by expanding our client base and accessing capital to expand on the continent and in the UAE region."

Thato Setati, Managing Director of TSK Interiors

"We were able to fast track our international funding strategy through a partner introduction through the programme. We are confident that our expanded understanding of local and international markets will continue to serve us well."

Beauty Mazibuko, Chief of Operations at Nafasi Water