The UCA State of Startup Enterprise Report-Understanding what South Africa’s entrepreneurs actually need

Understanding what South Africa’s entrepreneurs actually need

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. This survey is part of a national research initiative by Unconventional CA (UCA) to understand the real challenges, needs, and experiences of startup enterprises across South Africa.

We’re not here to audit a government programme or score a compliance framework. We want to hear directly from you — the founders, the operators, the people building businesses every day — about what’s actually helping, what’s failing, and what needs to change.

Your responses will inform the UCA Startup Enterprise White Paper, a public report that will put the entrepreneur’s voice at the centre of the national conversation about economic transformation and enterprise support.Responses are confidential All data is reported in aggregate only Estimated time: 10–12 minutes Complete the survey to enter the prize draw

SECTION A: YOUR BUSINESS
Let’s start with you and your business — no jargon, no frameworks.

Optional:

If you’d like to be contacted or enter the prize draw to win a complimentary PR/publicity campaign for your company

to the value of R 60 000, please provide your details below:

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1. Full Name

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2. Email

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3. Business name

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4. Province

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5. What stage is your business at right now?

Select one

Idea stage / pre-revenue — I’m still developing my product or service

Early revenue — I have customers but I’m not yet stable or profitable

Growing — revenue is increasing and I’m starting to scale

Established — my business is stable with consistent revenue

Struggling / at risk — my business is under serious pressure

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6. How long has your business been operating?

Select one

Less than 1 year

1–2 years

3–5 years

6–10 years

More than 10 years

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7. What industry sector does your business operate in?

Select one

Professional services (consulting, legal, accounting, etc.)

Technology / ICT

Construction / engineering

Manufacturing

Agriculture / agri-processing

Retail / e-commerce

Food & beverage / hospitality

Transport & logistics

Health & wellness

Creative industries / media

Energy / renewable energy

Education & training

Financial services

Other

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8. In the past 12 months, how has your business been performing?

Select one

Growing strongly

Growing modestly

Stable / holding steady

Declining

At serious risk of closing

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9. What are the top 3 things your business needs right now to grow?

Select up to 3 and rank them (1 = most important)

	Most Important	Second Most Important	Third Most Important	N/A
Secured access to customers, contracts, and supply chains	Secured access to customers, contracts, and supply chains Most Important	Secured access to customers, contracts, and supply chains Second Most Important	Secured access to customers, contracts, and supply chains Third Most Important	Secured access to customers, contracts, and supply chains N/A
Improved cash flow (faster payments or working capital)	Improved cash flow (faster payments or working capital) Most Important	Improved cash flow (faster payments or working capital) Second Most Important	Improved cash flow (faster payments or working capital) Third Most Important	Improved cash flow (faster payments or working capital) N/A
Practical business guidance (mentorship and strategic support)	Practical business guidance (mentorship and strategic support) Most Important	Practical business guidance (mentorship and strategic support) Second Most Important	Practical business guidance (mentorship and strategic support) Third Most Important	Practical business guidance (mentorship and strategic support) N/A
Reduced compliance burden and administrative red tape	Reduced compliance burden and administrative red tape Most Important	Reduced compliance burden and administrative red tape Second Most Important	Reduced compliance burden and administrative red tape Third Most Important	Reduced compliance burden and administrative red tape N/A
Access to talent, systems, or operational tools	Access to talent, systems, or operational tools Most Important	Access to talent, systems, or operational tools Second Most Important	Access to talent, systems, or operational tools Third Most Important	Access to talent, systems, or operational tools N/A

Other (please specify)

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10. What is the single biggest obstacle holding your business back right now?

SECTION B: GETTING SUPPORT We want to understand where you currently get help — and where the gaps are.

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11. Where do you currently get meaningful support for your business?

Select all that apply

Government programmes or agencies

Corporate ESD or supplier development programmes

Private sector accelerators, incubators, or venture captital

Informal networks (friends, family, industry peers)

Self-driven learning (online courses, content, self-funded growth)

I do not currently have access to meaningful business support

Other

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12. Of all the support you’ve received, what has actually made the biggest difference to your business?

Tell us what worked and why

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13. How easy or difficult is it for a business like yours to access the support you need?

Select one

Very easy — I know where to go and can access what I need

Somewhat easy — support exists but takes effort to find and access

Difficult — I know support is out there but struggle to access it

Very difficult — the systems feel like they weren’t designed for businesses like mine

I’ve largely given up trying to access formal support

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14. What is most broken about how support currently reaches businesses like yours?

SECTION C: CORPORATE PROGRAMMES & ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Many corporates run Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) programmes to support small businesses. We want to know your real experience — whether you’ve participated or not.

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15. Have you ever participated in a corporate Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) programme?

Select one

Yes — I’m currently in one

Yes — I participated in the past

No — but I’m aware of them

No — I’ve never heard of ESD programmes

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16. If you answered YES to Q15.
What did you gain most from the programme?

Select up to 3, ranked (1 = most valuable)

	Most Valuable	Very Valuable	Somewhat Valuable	Little Value	Not At All Valuable	N/A
Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities Most Valuable	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities Very Valuable	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities Somewhat Valuable	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities Little Value	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities Not At All Valuable	Access to customers, contracts, or procurement opportunities N/A
Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance)	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) Most Valuable	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) Very Valuable	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) Somewhat Valuable	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) Little Value	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) Not At All Valuable	Improved business capability (skills, mentorship, or strategic guidance) N/A
Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management Most Valuable	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management Very Valuable	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management Somewhat Valuable	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management Little Value	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management Not At All Valuable	Stronger systems, compliance, or financial management N/A
Increased credibility and visibility with corporates	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates Most Valuable	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates Very Valuable	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates Somewhat Valuable	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates Little Value	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates Not At All Valuable	Increased credibility and visibility with corporates N/A
Access to funding or working capital	Access to funding or working capital Most Valuable	Access to funding or working capital Very Valuable	Access to funding or working capital Somewhat Valuable	Access to funding or working capital Little Value	Access to funding or working capital Not At All Valuable	Access to funding or working capital N/A

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17. Would you participate in an ESD programme again?

Yes — without hesitation

Yes — but only if the programme was significantly different

Unlikely — the time and effort doesn’t justify the outcome

No — I’ve lost trust in these programmes

N/A

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18. If you answered NO to Q17.
Why haven’t you participated in an ESD programme?

Select all that apply

I wasn’t aware of relevant programmes

My business didn’t qualify or I wasn’t selected

The programmes didn’t seem relevant to my business needs

The process felt too time-consuming or complicated

I lack trust or confidence in the value of these programmes

Other (please specify)

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19. When you hear about a new corporate enterprise support programme, how do you usually feel?

Select one

Excited and open — I’ll explore any opportunity

Cautiously interested — I’ll look into it but I’ve been let down before

Indifferent — I don’t expect much anymore

Sceptical — these programmes rarely deliver what they promise

Not interested — I’d rather build my business without this kind of help

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20. In your experience or perception, where do corporate support programmes most often miss the mark?

SECTION D: POLICY & THE PROPOSED TRANSFORMATION FUND
Government has proposed a major change to how enterprise support works in South Africa. We want your honest reaction.

The South African government has proposed a R100 billion Transformation Fund. Under this plan, large companies would be encouraged to contribute their Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) budgets into a single, centralised fund managed by a government-appointed board. The fund would then distribute money and support to qualifying black-owned businesses. Companies contributing to the fund would earn enhanced B-BBEE scorecard points.

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21. Based on this description, how do you feel about the proposed Transformation Fund?

Select one

Hopeful — this could be a step in the right direction

Cautiously optimistic — good in theory, depends on execution

Unsure — I need to know more before forming an opinion

Sceptical — I don’t trust that this will benefit entrepreneurs like me

Concerned — I think this could actually make things worse

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22. If you’re sceptical or concerned about the proposed Fund, what worries you most?

Select up to 3, ranked (1 = biggest concern)

	Biggest Concern	Second Biggest Concern	Third Biggest Concern	Fourth Biggest Concern	Not a Concern
Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed	Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed Biggest Concern	Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed Second Biggest Concern	Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed Third Biggest Concern	Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed Fourth Biggest Concern	Lack of transparency and clear accountability in how funds will be managed Not a Concern
Risk of political influence or unfair allocation	Risk of political influence or unfair allocation Biggest Concern	Risk of political influence or unfair allocation Second Biggest Concern	Risk of political influence or unfair allocation Third Biggest Concern	Risk of political influence or unfair allocation Fourth Biggest Concern	Risk of political influence or unfair allocation Not a Concern
Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support	Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support Biggest Concern	Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support Second Biggest Concern	Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support Third Biggest Concern	Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support Fourth Biggest Concern	Concern that funds won’t reach small businesses that genuinely need support Not a Concern
Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes	Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes Biggest Concern	Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes Second Biggest Concern	Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes Third Biggest Concern	Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes Fourth Biggest Concern	Too much bureaucracy, red tape, or slow approval processes Not a Concern
Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts	Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts Biggest Concern	Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts Second Biggest Concern	Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts Third Biggest Concern	Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts Fourth Biggest Concern	Loss of direct relationships with corporates and access to real contracts Not a Concern

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23. Do you believe a centralised national fund would make it easier or harder for a business like yours to access support?

Select one

Easier

Harder

No difference

Not sure

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24. Regardless of how it’s funded, what should any enterprise support system prioritise above all else?

Rank in order of importance (1 = most important)

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25. If enterprise support could only do ONE thing differently, what should it be?

SECTION E: YOUR VOICE

This is your platform. The findings from this survey will be published in a national White Paper.
This is your chance to be heard.

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26. If you could say one thing directly to the corporates and policymakers shaping the future of enterprise support in South Africa, what would it be?

Speak freely

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27. Would you be open to sharing your story in more detail for the UCA Startup Enterprise White Paper?

Yes — please contact me

Maybe — I’d want to know more first

No thanks

Thank you for your time and your honesty.

Your responses will directly shape the UCA Startup Enterprise White Paper — a public report designed to put the real voice of South Africa’s entrepreneurs at the centre of the national conversation. This is how we change things.

The UCA State of Startup Enterprise Report-Understanding what South Africa’s entrepreneurs actually need

Understanding what South Africa’s entrepreneurs actually need

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* 1. Full Name

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* 2. Email

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* 3. Business name

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* 4. Province

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* 5. What stage is your business at right now?Select one

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* 6. How long has your business been operating?Select one

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* 7. What industry sector does your business operate in?Select one

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* 8. In the past 12 months, how has your business been performing?Select one

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* 9. What are the top 3 things your business needs right now to grow?Select up to 3 and rank them (1 = most important)

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* 10. What is the single biggest obstacle holding your business back right now?

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* 11. Where do you currently get meaningful support for your business?Select all that apply

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* 12. Of all the support you’ve received, what has actually made the biggest difference to your business?Tell us what worked and why

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* 13. How easy or difficult is it for a business like yours to access the support you need?Select one

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* 14. What is most broken about how support currently reaches businesses like yours?

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* 15. Have you ever participated in a corporate Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) programme?Select one

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* 16. If you answered YES to Q15.What did you gain most from the programme?Select up to 3, ranked (1 = most valuable)

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* 17. Would you participate in an ESD programme again?

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* 18. If you answered NO to Q17. Why haven’t you participated in an ESD programme?Select all that apply

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* 19. When you hear about a new corporate enterprise support programme, how do you usually feel?Select one

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* 20. In your experience or perception, where do corporate support programmes most often miss the mark?

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* 21. Based on this description, how do you feel about the proposed Transformation Fund?Select one

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* 22. If you’re sceptical or concerned about the proposed Fund, what worries you most?Select up to 3, ranked (1 = biggest concern)

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* 23. Do you believe a centralised national fund would make it easier or harder for a business like yours to access support?Select one

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* 24. Regardless of how it’s funded, what should any enterprise support system prioritise above all else?Rank in order of importance (1 = most important)

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* 25. If enterprise support could only do ONE thing differently, what should it be?

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* 26. If you could say one thing directly to the corporates and policymakers shaping the future of enterprise support in South Africa, what would it be?Speak freely

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* 27. Would you be open to sharing your story in more detail for the UCA Startup Enterprise White Paper?

1. Full Name

2. Email

3. Business name

4. Province

5. What stage is your business at right now?

Select one

6. How long has your business been operating?

Select one

7. What industry sector does your business operate in?

Select one

8. In the past 12 months, how has your business been performing?

Select one

9. What are the top 3 things your business needs right now to grow?

Select up to 3 and rank them (1 = most important)

10. What is the single biggest obstacle holding your business back right now?

11. Where do you currently get meaningful support for your business?

Select all that apply

12. Of all the support you’ve received, what has actually made the biggest difference to your business?

Tell us what worked and why

13. How easy or difficult is it for a business like yours to access the support you need?

Select one

14. What is most broken about how support currently reaches businesses like yours?

15. Have you ever participated in a corporate Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) programme?

Select one

16. If you answered YES to Q15.
What did you gain most from the programme?

Select up to 3, ranked (1 = most valuable)

17. Would you participate in an ESD programme again?

18. If you answered NO to Q17.
Why haven’t you participated in an ESD programme?

Select all that apply

19. When you hear about a new corporate enterprise support programme, how do you usually feel?

Select one

20. In your experience or perception, where do corporate support programmes most often miss the mark?

21. Based on this description, how do you feel about the proposed Transformation Fund?

Select one

22. If you’re sceptical or concerned about the proposed Fund, what worries you most?

Select up to 3, ranked (1 = biggest concern)

23. Do you believe a centralised national fund would make it easier or harder for a business like yours to access support?

Select one

24. Regardless of how it’s funded, what should any enterprise support system prioritise above all else?

Rank in order of importance (1 = most important)

25. If enterprise support could only do ONE thing differently, what should it be?

26. If you could say one thing directly to the corporates and policymakers shaping the future of enterprise support in South Africa, what would it be?

Speak freely

27. Would you be open to sharing your story in more detail for the UCA Startup Enterprise White Paper?