The Origin8 programme is a powerful initiative in Cape Town aimed at helping small and medium businesses in the clothing, textile, footwear, and leather industries grow and thrive. With workshops and factory tours, it connects these businesses to major retailers, teaching them how to meet customer needs and industry standards. This exciting opportunity allows local entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and build valuable relationships, ensuring they can compete in today’s market. By supporting these businesses, Cape Town is nurturing its rich cultural heritage and paving the way for a vibrant economic future.
The Design Innovation Seed Fund (DISF) is a funding opportunity for innovative designers, inventors, entrepreneurs, and product developers who are yet to generate revenue. Managed by CDI Capital, it offers financial aid to assist recipients in designing and building prototypes, testing solutions, and confirming their hypotheses about technical and marketrelated challenges, acting as an accelerator for innovation. The DISF has already allocated R17.8 million in grant funding, sparking the development of 35 innovative products and attracting investments amounting to R377 million, proving to be an invaluable asset for earlystage innovation.
A cityfunded programme in Cape Town is assisting small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the clothing and textile sector. Aimed at training businesses to unlock procurement opportunities and establish lasting supply relationships, the initiative is already on track to sign new contracts with large retailers.