The Orange Corners Designs programme, an initiative of the CDI that is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, has made a tremendous impact with its first groups of participants in Cape Town and Johannesburg this year. This 12-month intensive programme launched in 2024 has received fantastic feedback from participants, who have shared how they have grown thanks to the training and support offered.

The programme, which supports 20 young South African entrepreneurs between the ages 18-35 in each city annually, assists businesses that have innovative products or services, and that are looking to scale, grow their impact, and create job opportunities. The businesses onboarded seek to make a positive difference and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of the Orange Corners Designs programme, participants gain access to a range of resources and support, including workshops, mentorship, and business development tools.

The first cohort in Johannesburg was onboarded in April 2024, and the programme’s co-ordinator in Johannesburg, Mohau Memeza, says that programme's launch from CDI's new offices in Braamfontein symbolised the start of an exciting chapter for the CDI, with the programme blending innovation and purpose against the dynamic backdrop of Johannesburg's vibrant creative ecosystem.

The Cape Town cohort began their programme activities in June 2024, and the programme’s co-ordinator in Cape Town, Phefumlela Bam, notes that significant strides have been made to empower the entrepreneurs and in fostering innovation within the City of Cape Town’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The programme’s robust curriculum covers Business Development, Product Development, Financial Management, Market Access, and Intellectual Property; as well as Design-led Thinking, sparking fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.

The programme also includes Creative Exchange sessions, which in 2024 shared knowledge from key stakeholders such as the Gauteng Tourism Authority, National Empowerment Fund, Games for Africa, and the City of Cape Town’s Economic Growth Directorate. These sessions provided a fertile ground for networking, resource sharing, and inspiration for the cohorts and the broader creative community.

This year also saw the launch within the cohorts of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF), which is also managed by the CDI. This new funding initiative offers entrepreneurs critical financial support to implement their business growth strategies, which were shaped during an impactful Growth Levers workshop facilitated by Viridian.

With a strong start, the programme is well-positioned to continue supporting Cape Town and Johannesburg’s vibrant entrepreneurship communities, helping to shape the future of innovation in each city.

Applications for the second cohort on the programme in Cape Town will be open in January 2025.