Supercharge your growth with Grindstone Boost
Introducing Grindstone Boost, a comprehensive back-office solution designed to supercharge the growth of startups and scaleups in South Africa. Together with USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment, we are pioneering a new era in entrepreneurial support with bespoke services tailored to your company’s specific needs.
The goal
Grindstone Boost is a comprehensive back-office solution designed to help innovation-driven startups and scaleups in South Africa. In partnership withUSAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment, Grindstone Boost provides subsidised services to address the common operational challenges startups face, such as limited capacity, the high costs of specialised services, and administrative burdens. By tackling these issues, we enable you to focus on the strategic growth and long-term success of your business. Get investment ready by improving compliance, streamlining operations and increasing sales with Grindstone Boost.
HOW?
Grindstone Boost was built to address the day-to-day operational challenges that could be limiting your startup’s success.
These challenges include:
- your limited capacity
- high costs of external contractors for specialised functions such as finance and legal
- operational and administrative burdens
- lack of marketing and sales functions
Grindstone Boost will provide targeted and practical back-office solutions to increase your startup’s capacity so that founders can focus on the strategic direction of the business rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day operations. By utilising some of these solutions, you will get additional capacity to work ON your business (instead of IN your business).
These solutions will help startups and scaleups across South Africa to reach investment readiness by improving compliance and operational efficiency and increasing sales.
cost
Grindstone Boost subsidises the cost of service providers, making professional back-office support more accessible. Costs for each company are based on its size, maturity, and specific service needs. This tiered structure ensures affordable support that scales with your business, helping you manage operational expenses effectively while maximising your impact
grindstone boost outline
Grindstone Boost is a back-office solution that allows you to access fractional time from our specialist service providers. You can request services from the platform (under various pillars like legal, finance, and marketing) and pay subsidised rates to receive these services. With Grindstone Boost, you can enjoy customised back-office support to address your business gaps effectively.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any startup or scaleup that meets our qualifying criteria:
Your company has specific gaps in any of the following business pillars:
- Legal
- Operations
- Technology
- Branding, Marketing & Sales
- Finance & Accounting
Eighty startups and scaleups will be chosen to join the programme in a rolling intake of cohorts, so don’t wait to apply!
Applications will close as soon as we have selected all 80 companies.
Apply below to join!
What makes Grindstone Boost different?
Startups and scaleups will have access to professionals who will actively execute and provide hands-on guidance for each business across specific needs ranging from legal to operations, tech, marketing and finance.
Here are some examples of how Grindstone Boost could be used:
01
Your app development company may be focused on delivering fantastic apps but may not know where to start when submitting your tax returns for the last three years. Grindstone Boost will link you to service providers that can help you get these updated and submitted.
02
You might have a winning marketing plan but need a clearly formulated Go-to-Market campaign. Grindstone Boost will ensure the delivery of a structured GTM strategy, its creative execution, and its implementation across your digital marketing channels.
This strategic and practical assistance from Grindstone Boost will not only streamline administrative burdens and provide expert coaching but also enhance your startup's compliance and credibility in the eyes of potential investors. Ultimately, Grindstone Boost aims to contribute to a consistent pipeline of investment-ready startups in South Africa, making your business more attractive for potential investment.
Are you ready to boost your startup? Apply today to join Grindstone Boost and transform your business.
Grindstone Boost highlights
Customised back-office support
Dive deep into your business gaps with expert guidance in the Finance, Marketing, Operations, Legal, and Technology pillars, addressing specific pain points on a case-by-case basis. Our tailored approach ensures you get the precise help you need to overcome challenges.
Sustainable
growth
Enhance your potential for future funding and partnerships by focusing on the long-term success of your business. We help you build a solid foundation to ensure your business thrives.
Exclusive
access
Get selected to be one of the 80 startups to receive this specialised support in 2025 and take your business to the next level. Benefit from unparalleled resources and expert guidance.
Continued
success
Become part of a community where over 96% of startups thrive post-acceleration, leading the change in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Stay connected with peers and mentors for ongoing support.