Edge Growth Ventures – Vumela ESD Fund (Green Outcomes Fund)

The Vumela ESD Fund is an Enterprise and Supplier Development fund managed by Edge Growth Ventures on behalf of the FirstRand Group. It provides debt and equity finance to SMEs that meet GreenCape's Green SMME definition and are existing suppliers or previous supplier development beneficiaries of the FirstRand Group (FNB, RMB, Wesbank). The fund supports early-stage growth (debt: R1m–R10m for businesses with revenue R5m–R50m) and later-stage/mature businesses (equity: R10m–R40m for businesses with revenue >=R10m). Uses of funds include Capex, Working Capital, and operating expenses. High social, environmental, and job-creation impact is required.

Must be at least 51% black owned pre-investment (B-BBEE). Must be an existing supplier to the FirstRand Group (FNB, RMB, Wesbank) or previous supplier development beneficiary. Must meet GreenCape's Green SMME definition. Early-stage growth (debt): Revenue R5m–R50m, investment required R1m–R10m, investment horizon 3–5 years. Later-stage/mature (equity): Revenue >=R10m (cash flow positive preferred), investment required R10m–R40m, investment horizon 5–6 years. High growth potential, high job creation potential, and high environmental/social impact required.

Apply via the online application form at https://vumelafund.com/apply-for-funding/. Candidates should receive a response within 7 days of application (either requesting additional information or notifying of an unsuccessful application). A successful application typically takes 12–16 weeks. Contact: Sam Tennant – Investment Principal, Phone: +27 10 001 3715, Email: stennant@edgegrowth.com. JHB Office: Investment Place Office Park, 1st Floor, Block B, 10th Road, Off 2nd Avenue, Hyde Park.