Start an Impact Hub in South Africa

Support the next generation of South African entrepreneurs to build locally rooted, globally connected ventures that drive positive change.

Impact Hub is a global network of 120+ entrepreneurial communities dedicated to accelerating inclusive and sustainable innovation—at scale.

We’re looking for the next founding team to open an Impact Hub in South Africa.
Are you in?

WHY SOUTH AFRICA?

South Africa is a place where diversity sparks bold ideas, creativity thrives, and resilient communities unite to shape the future.

With a growing startup ecosystem and a rich history in driving change, it’s the ideal environment for Impact Makers eager to make a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a collaborative space where entrepreneurs, organisations, policymakers, and local leaders work hand in hand to drive systemic change.

 

Want to know more? Sign up for the FREE Future Founders Day event to gain insights and hear inspiring success stories that will motivate you to take action!

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Why start an Impact Hub

The path to lasting social change and sustainable development requires a global effort.

Impact Hub facilitates that collective action, offering:

Global brand recognition

Build trust and credibility with a strong recognisable brand. This will help you attract potential customers, partners, and investors.

Resilient business model

The Impact Hub business model has proven to be competitive and resilient, making it a strong foundation for your social enterprise.

Ready-made network

Our established network of social entrepreneurs, innovators and mentors can help you connect with like-minded individuals and grow your business.

Allies & partners

Build relationships with local, regional, and global organisations that share your commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact.

Knowledge & learning

Elevate your skills with capacity-building sessions and knowledge-sharing platforms. Learn from experts and peers for collective growth.

Expand reach

Tap into a diverse network of 25,000 Impact Makers across 60+ countries, each with their unique perspectives, talents, and visions.

Join the next Impact Hub info call

Who we are

Unlock a world of possibilities

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional or a passionate change-maker, we invite you to become part of our community. Join our next Future Founders event or group info call to kick-start your journey.

Here’s how it works

Join our next Future Founders Day or group information call for inspiration, questions, and insights on how to start an Impact Hub in your city.
Fill in our pre-application form with your co-founding team. After reviewing your application and getting to know your vision, our team will invite you for a short interview. If accepted, you may begin your founding journey.
Once approved, each new team must pay an application fee of €5,000. This fee is non-refundable. After obtaining your Impact Hub license, this amount will be subtracted from the total Joining Fee.
Access the digital course to gain an understanding of the Impact Hub model. Upon completion, meet your Onboarding Coach to begin working on your application. Together, you’ll craft and test your customised local Impact Hub model.
Once you submit all necessary documents, your license application is complete. The 100-day Founding Journey concludes with a review of your license. Upon successful approval, you can finalise payment of the remaining joining fee and officially become a part of our Network.
Welcome to the Network! The moment has finally arrived. You are now ready to launch your Impact Hub within the next 12 months. Rest assured, our global team and experts will be there every step of the way, with ongoing support for your team.

Meet the Impact Hubs making a difference in their cities

Impact Hub Lagos

Launched: 2017

Focus areas: Youth, Inclusion, Sustainability and Creative Industries

 

Impact Hub Lagos is committed to increasing access to capital, supporting the growth of Africa’s climate tech and creative sectors, and empowering the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Learn more »

Impact Hub Kigali

Launched: 2017

Focus areas: Agriculture, Refugee Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy

 

Impact Hub Kigali is dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rwanda and beyond, while also supporting environmental sustainability and fostering platforms for arts, culture, and social progress.

Learn more »

Impact Hub Vienna

Launched: 2010

Focus areas: Green Transition & Health

 

Impact Hub Vienna is committed to hosting a vibrant community who share the belief that entrepreneurial dreams can transform society, daring to challenge norms with empathy guiding the creation of impactful solutions.

Learn more »

Join the Impact Hub movement

Establishing an Impact Hub in your city means empowering the next generation of South African entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to succeed.

 

Whether you’re starting or rebranding to an Impact Hub, you can be part of a thriving global movement to drive innovation, create jobs, and foster sustainable growth.

Sign me up

Schedule an info call with us

Schedule a call with us

All your questions answered

We are not a franchise but have developed a co-owned network structure. The Impact Hub Intellectual Property (IP) and Brand are owned by the “Impact Hub Association”, a collective of all Impact Hubs. When joining our network, you will become a co-owner of the network and be entitled to be part of the decision-making as well as all strategic conversations. You will shape the future of the network together with the rest of the local Impact Hubs.
Every Impact Hub needs to operate a space. A physical home for your community will elevate the change you can create together. You can partner with public institutions, real estate developers, universities and other organisations to create a place that embodies your community’s needs and values.
There is a one-time Joining Fee ranging from €14,000 to €35,000, depending on the GDP of the city applying. Upon acceptance into the Impact Hub Founding Journey, there is an application fee of €5,000 per team. This amount is subtracted from the total Joining Fee. For instance, if the Joining Fee for your city is €30,000, you will pay €5,000 upon acceptance into the Journey, with the remaining €25,000 payable upon receiving your Impact Hub license. Once you're part of the network, each Impact Hub pays a monthly membership fee equivalent to 2.5% of the revenue generated after taxes under the Impact Hub brand. Additional charges apply for services such as technology and events.
The whole application phase takes about 3-4 months. As each context and team is different, the timeline may vary. The application phase, as the title suggests, shall be no longer than 100 days. The 100-day Founding Journey closes with the licence review. Once you have the licence, your team has up to 12 months to start the full Impact Hub experience.
If you have an organisation that you wish to convert into an Impact Hub, you will need to rebrand. Impact Hub does not allow co-branding since we don’t want to give the impression that various entities host or even own the Impact Hub jointly. Once you join the Impact Hub Network, you become a full member of the Network and the Impact Hub brand will have to replace the current local brand.
Your local team is responsible for fundraising to secure the necessary investment for your Impact Hub. We provide each team with a Fundraising Coach for support during the first 6 months of operations. Additionally, you can leverage the Network for best practices, inspiration, and connections to facilitate fundraising efforts.

Inclusive and sustainable innovation - at scale.

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Impact Hub GmbH
Lindengasse 56 / 18-19
1070 Vienna, Austria
UID: ATU66357747
FN: 358967v

 

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