Informal Retail Entrepreneurship Development
Backing the shopkeepers powering our communities.
I-RED equips informal retailers with a 12-week accelerator, seed funding from R1 000 to R50 000, and a global network of partners ready to invest in their growth.
- 12
- week programme
- R50k
- max seed funding
- 100%
- informal focus
Our pillars
Three doors, one journey.
From skills to capital to networks — we walk with every entrepreneur from the first lesson to their first repeat investor.
01 · Train
12-Week Accelerator
Practical, in-language training on stock, pricing, bookkeeping, digital payments and customer growth.
See the curriculum02 · Fund
Seed Funding R1k–R50k
Micro-grants and low-interest loans matched to your growth stage and repayment ability.
Apply for funding03 · Connect
Investors & Partners
A Kiva-style marketplace where verified entrepreneurs meet lenders and impact partners.
Meet our partnersReady to grow your shop?
Register for the next 12-week intake or apply for seed capital today. Every application is reviewed by our entrepreneurship team.