The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) have launched a 16-week pilot designed to help 10 South African technology small and medium-sized enterprises become ready for investment.
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The initiative, launched on September 30, will focus on businesses operating in the health, agriculture and fintech sectors. Selected companies will receive support with investment readiness, pitch development, market access and connections to potential sources of capital.
Support for technology businesses
The programme will give participating SMEs access to capital-market expertise, investor networks and commercial opportunities. It will also include a market access day and engagements tailored to the sectors in which the companies operate.
The JSE and TIA said they aim to help the businesses develop funding-ready pitch packs, establish market linkages and build a pipeline of potential capital engagements.
The 10 companies were selected on the basis of their existing products or services, operating maturity and commercial potential. The identities of the participating businesses have not been provided.
Patrick Krappie, executive for innovation enabling at TIA, said commercialisation remains a challenge in the innovation value chain.
“One of the key challenges in the innovation value chain is ensuring that new technologies and innovations are commercialised and access the markets,” Krappie said.
He described TIA as a “connector and facilitator” for locally developed innovations, while the partnership is intended to help those businesses move towards markets, customers and capital.
Earlier capital-market preparation
The pilot extends JSE Rise, the exchange’s SME investment-readiness and growth-support programme, into technology sectors considered important to economic growth.
Vuyo Lee, the JSE’s chief marketing and corporate affairs officer, said the exchange was taking an earlier role in the development path of high-growth businesses.
“We are pleased to expand our suite of SME Rise development solutions to support sectors that are critical to driving economic growth,” Lee said.
Capital markets traditionally become involved after a company has developed a product, attracted customers, generated revenue and established the governance and financial systems expected by investors. The JSE and TIA are testing whether bringing that preparation earlier in the growth journey can improve the prospects of innovative businesses reaching formal capital markets.
Some participants could become eligible for screening for AltX, the JSE’s alternative market for smaller and growing businesses. However, participation in the pilot does not guarantee that a company will be listed or receive funding.
SMEs’ role in the economy
Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen said SMEs account for 91% of formal businesses in South Africa, provide 60% of jobs and contribute up to 34% of gross domestic product.
The JSE, described as Africa’s largest stock exchange, has pointed to recent examples of technology companies advancing through its markets. Optasia, a global fintech platform providing mobile financial services, listed on the JSE Main Board in November 2025 with an implied market capitalisation of R23.5 billion, or $1.4 billion.
Technology group 4Sight moved from AltX to the JSE Main Board in January 2025.
The pilot does not specify a funding allocation, and there is no stated guarantee that any of the participating SMEs will secure investment or market access through the programme.
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