Imbewu Entrepreneurship Finance would provides risk capital to new businesses and to early stage businesses owned and managed by black people meeting the following criteria:

• BEE applicant should be actively involved in the business

• Minimum black ownership of 50.1%

• Industry experience in consortium i.e. from BEE party or non-BEE partners

• NEF mentorship programme, participation is obligatory

• Capital structure should be sustainable. NEF to provide  shortfall in equity/quasi-equity capital

• Business with clear value add – sustainable business model

• Business should employ minimum of 5 people

• Maximum NEF funding of R5m

• The NEF investment horizon is 5 to 7 years

• NEF will target a nominal pre-tax IRR of between 12% to 18% on  its funding