SME South Africa Funding Summit: Bootstrapping 101

Are you bootstrapping your business, but just not stretching your Rands enough, or do you think there’s something you’re not doing right? Well, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will cover the ins and outs of bootstrapping a business.

Bootstrapping might not be the most preferred method of funding a business, but it’s one of the most practical, and it’s how many entrepreneurs start, even if they do get other forms of funding down the line.

Initially bootstrapping your business means that you have a proof of concept that investors can look at, and funding institutions can see that your business idea is indeed viable.

Why Would an Entrepreneur Need to Know About Bootstrapping?

According to the South African Accounting Academy, one of the reasons why businesses in South Africa fail is not only because of a lack of access to finance, but lack of planning, financial expertise and poor cash flow management. In other words, the little cash they have to start their own business is either not effectively used or isn’t properly planned for.

It’s easy to think that funding your businesses out of pocket is bound to fail without big funding, but success isn’t just about having money, it’s about managing what you have wisely. With a solid strategy, a clear plan, and strong financial literacy, even a small amount of startup capital can be stretched to build something sustainable. It’s not just about how much you have, but how well you use it.

Fortunately, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will have experts with real bootstrapping experience to give you the guidance you need.

How Will the Summit Help With Bootstrapping?

There are essential aspects of bootstrapping that every entrepreneur needs to know. Attendees of the SME South Africa Funding Summit can expect the following:

Bootstrapping 101:

Bootstrapping is a challenging way to fund your business, and it surely isn’t a process that should be the result of thumb-sucking. Entrepreneurs need to ensure that they conduct the necessary research to increase the likelihood of succeeding. At the summit, you’ll receive guidance on the holistic process of bootstrapping a business.

Bootstrapping mistakes to avoid:

When you’re starting a business with little to no guidance, you’re bound to make mistakes, and some of those mistakes can have a financial strain on you and your business. At the SME South Africa Funding Summit, we’ll have industry leaders like Sheldon Tatchell of Legends Barber to provide necessary insight on bootstrapping your business, bootstrapping mistakes to avoid, and how to scale your business with funding at the right time.

When to stop bootstrapping your business:

While this type of funding can work for some time, it’s important to know when to stop bootstrapping your business and take the next step. Entrepreneurs will receive insight on how to start looking for investors when they’re ready to stop bootstrapping.

The Funding Summit takes place on the 12th of June, 2025 and will be the highlight of your search for funding. Come and join the eventful day for only R 350 entrance fee. No tickets will be sold at the door, so make sure you grab yours before it’s too late! Book yours on our events page.