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Readiness Checklists
Our Readiness Checklists help you self-assess your business’s preparedness before you approach any funder. It covers key areas that financiers look at, and it will highlight what you might need to strengthen.
Checklists
IDC Loan & Facility Readiness Checklist
Before applying for IDC funding, confirm the following:
Business Viability
- Your business is operational or investment-ready
- You have a viable business model
- You can demonstrate revenue or realistic projected income
- You have a clear funding motivation
Financial Documentation
- You can provide audited financial statements (or management accounts)
- You can provide cashflow projections
- You can demonstrate affordability of loan repayments
- You can provide details of existing debt
Sector Eligibility
- If applying under MCEP, you operate within SIC Code 3 (manufacturing)
- Your project aligns with the specific IDC facility requirements
- If applying under energy or resilience funds, your project directly relates to energy investment
Compliance & Conditions
- You understand IDC funding is repayable (not a grant)
- You understand affordability and risk assessment will apply
- You are prepared to comply with BBBEE requirements where required
- You understand blending conditions where applicable
If you cannot demonstrate affordability or financial viability, funding is unlikely to be approved.
DTIC Funding & Incentive Readiness Checklist
Before applying for a DTIC incentive or grant, confirm the following:
Business Status
- Your business is formally registered in South Africa
- You have a valid CIPC registration
- You are tax compliant (SARS compliant status available)
- You can provide company registration documents
Operational Status
- Your business is operational (unless the scheme allows pre-production approval)
- Your project has clearly defined start and end dates
- You have supplier quotations for major capital items
- You understand that most incentives require pre-approval before incurring costs
Financial Readiness
- You can provide recent financial statements or management accounts
- You have a clear project budget
- You understand that many DTIC incentives are cost-sharing and require your own contribution
- You can demonstrate ability to fund the non-grant portion
Sector Alignment
- Your project aligns with the specific scheme’s sector focus
- If applying under a manufacturing programme, your SIC code aligns
- If applying under automotive, film, agro-processing or services incentives, your activities fall within defined categories
Compliance & Conditions
- You understand reporting obligations apply after approval
- You are prepared for monitoring or site verification
- You understand that final approval is subject to guideline criteria
If most of the above are not in place, you may need preparation support before applying.
ECIC Export & Investment Insurance Readiness Checklist
Before applying for ECIC insurance products, confirm the following:
Export or Investment Profile
- You are involved in export transactions OR cross-border investment
- Your transaction involves deferred payment or exposure to non-payment risk
- You can provide details of the foreign buyer or host country
Transaction Documentation
- You have a signed or draft contract
- You can provide invoice values and payment terms
- You can provide shipment or performance timelines
- You can provide buyer financial information where available
Risk Understanding
- You understand this is insurance, not funding
- You understand premiums apply
- You understand cover is subject to underwriting assessment
- You understand political and commercial risk coverage depends on structure
If you are not exporting or investing cross-border, ECIC products are not suitable.
NEF Equity & Transformation Funding Readiness Checklist
Before applying for NEF funding, confirm the following:
Ownership & Control
- The business is at least 50.1% black-owned and controlled
- Management actively participates in operations
- Ownership structure is clearly documented
Business Stage
- You have a clear business plan
- You can demonstrate market demand
- You understand NEF funding is typically equity or structured finance (not grants)
Financial Readiness
- You can provide financial projections
- You can demonstrate viability
- You understand NEF may take an equity stake or structured participation
Governance & Reporting
- You are prepared for governance oversight
- You can provide required documentation
- You understand monitoring and reporting apply
Sector/Partner Funds (where applicable)
- If applying under a sector fund (Tourism, Energy, Furniture, etc.), your business falls within that sector
- If applying under a provincial partnership (e.g. GDARD), you operate within that province
If black ownership requirements are not met, most NEF funding products will not be suitable.
Download Available Checklists
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