Cape Town high school learners invited to join fully-funded iAcccelerate SA entrepreneurship programme - IOL
Rayhaan Survé, Founder of iAccelerate SA, engages with learners during a programme session.
Applications have opened for the fourth cohort of the iAccelerate SA flagship programme, giving public school learners in Grades 9 to 12 across the Cape Town region access to a fully-funded, four-month entrepreneurship course.
Launched in 2024 as a South African non-profit organisation, iAccelerate SA is approaching its second anniversary of introducing high school learners to entrepreneurship, innovation, and practical business development.
The intake comes against the backdrop of South Africa’s ongoing youth unemployment crisis. According to Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2026, unemployment among young people aged 15 to 34 stands at 47.4%. By equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills while they are still at school, the initiative aims to show young people that they can become innovators, business owners, and job creators alongside pursuing traditional career paths.
iAccelerate SA learners collaborate during an interactive programme session, developing ideas and exploring solutions to real-world challenges.
Designed to foster curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking, and initiative, the four-month curriculum guides learners through a structured four-stage process: Ideate, Innovate, Initiate, and Iterate.
Interactive Schedule: Learners work in teams during Friday and Saturday sessions to identify real-world challenges, research markets, and build viable business concepts.
Industry Exposure: Each session features industry professionals who share practical insights across different sectors.
Core Business Skills: Supported by facilitators and mentors, participants cover market research, customer engagement, business development, financial planning, leadership, and pitching.
Alumni Support: Graduates gain access to the iAccelerate SA Alumni Programme, which provides ongoing mentorship, internship opportunities, and networking pathways to further education and employment.
iAccelerate SA learners present their business ideas to facilitators and industry professionals during a programme session.
Rayhaan Survé, Founder of iAccelerate SA, said early entrepreneurship education is vital to shifting the country's economic trajectory.
“Entrepreneurship education is the greatest solution to creating the future of South Africa. By equipping our youth with the mindset and the fundamental skills of problem-solving, we enable them to do the possible before someone says it is impossible,” Survé said.
Programme alumnus Caleb Captain credited the initiative with reshaping his confidence and outlook on problem-solving.
“iAccelerate has taught me that solving challenging problems is what drives growth and success, and it has shown me not to limit or undermine myself in what I want to achieve," Captain shared. "The knowledge I've gained and the challenges I've faced have had a tremendous impact on my life, helping me discover my true worth and understand what I need to do to succeed in the future. This is not just a one-off programme for me, but a lifelong journey that I'm grateful to be part of.”
Who is eligible: Learners in Grades 9 to 12 attending public schools across the Cape Town region.
Cost: Fully funded, with no programme fees for selected participants.
Application Portal: Submit applications online at iaccelerate-sa.org/applications/i-accelerate.
For additional details, visit iaccelerate-sa.org or follow @iacceleratesa on social media.
