A startup can enquire about our Purchase Order Funding Solutions when it holds a qualifying awarded government or municipal order and can provide the company, supplier and delivery information needed for assessment. Being newly registered is not enough on its own: the enquiry starts with the actual awarded transaction.
Fund The People’s funding model is transaction-specific. We fund qualifying transactions directly through our own in-house Purchase Order Funding Solutions, Tender Funding Solutions and Invoice Discounting Solutions. Our application is for an awarded order, awarded tender or eligible unpaid invoice; it is not an application for traditional general-purpose business funding or unrestricted startup capital.
What does startup funding mean in this enquiry?
The purpose is to obtain the supplier inputs needed to complete work already awarded to your company. A business plan, projected sales or a possible future contract describes an earlier stage. Those records do not replace the valid purchase order required for this service.
Keep your wider startup budget separate. Rent for a future premises, general advertising, product development and expansion plans should not be presented as if they were supplier requirements under an awarded order. Show which costs belong to the confirmed transaction and ask our team about the proposed payment arrangements.
Check the published starting criteria
Our current Purchase Order Funding Solutions route starts with a CSD-registered South African company holding a valid government or municipal purchase order with a deal value of at least R250,000. The company making the enquiry should be the same legal business named on the order.
Suitable suppliers and current quotations should connect to the awarded specification. Use the confirmed value and the latest official amendments. Registration and an award provide the starting records; our team still assesses the application and the proposed transaction.
Review our published eligibility criteria before assembling your application. Private-customer orders and anticipated awards should not be assumed to fit this published government-order route.
Explain a short trading history accurately
A newly trading company should describe its real operating position. Identify the directors, relevant experience, supplier arrangements and people responsible for delivery. Use the records the business actually has, rather than presenting projections as completed trading.
If a requested record is unavailable because the company is new, explain that to our team. Do not invent bank activity, borrow another company’s order or imply that the buyer awarded work to a different applicant. Ask what information is needed to assess your actual position.
Prepare the first application around one awarded order
Begin with the valid order, current supplier quotation, CIPC records and director identification. Keep company, CSD, banking and tax information consistent. Explain the delivery destination, required dates and any official change to quantities or scope.
Use our document checklist for the complete current pack. This article explains startup eligibility; the application document checks guide helps reconcile names, references and versions before submission.
Confirm delivery capacity and proposed terms
A clear supplier quotation is only useful if the supplier can supply the correct goods or inputs within the buyer’s timeline. Check stock, lead times, transport and acceptance requirements. Explain who coordinates delivery and how the business will keep the buyer informed.
Read the proposed charges, approved costs, supplier-payment arrangements and settlement responsibilities for the actual order. A purchase order does not itself settle every contractual or security question. Our team confirms the terms; this guide does not promise an automatic result based on company age.
Move from startup status to a concrete enquiry
Start with our Purchase Order Funding Solutions service page, then submit the awarded order and supporting records. State the supplier-payment gap and delivery deadline so the application describes a specific transaction.
For cost preparation, use our first-order cost guide. For the difference between an unawarded opportunity, awarded work and an unpaid invoice, use our guide to the transaction stage.
Why Did 3000+ SMMEs Choose Fund The People?
We have supported 3,000+ South African SMMEs since January 2025. Our deal range is R250,000–R8 million and above, with funding approval within 48 hours for complete qualifying applications. Approval and the agreed supplier-payment schedule are separate steps.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fund The People provide general startup capital?
Our funding model is transaction-specific. We fund qualifying transactions directly through our own in-house Purchase Order Funding Solutions, Tender Funding Solutions and Invoice Discounting Solutions. This application is for an awarded transaction or eligible unpaid invoice, rather than seed capital for an unawarded business idea.
Can a newly registered company enquire?
A newly registered company should check our published starting criteria: CSD registration, a valid government or municipal purchase order with a deal value of at least R250,000, suitable suppliers and supporting company records. Explain the company’s actual operating history. Our team assesses the application; registration alone does not establish qualification.
Can I apply with an expected order?
An anticipated award, submitted tender, RFQ response or verbal assurance does not replace the valid awarded government purchase order required for our current Purchase Order Funding Solutions route. Keep the original buyer-issued order and any official amendments available.
How quickly is a complete qualifying application approved?
Fund The People provides funding approval within 48 hours for complete qualifying applications. Approval is separate from supplier payment and delivery. Confirm the approved arrangement and payment schedule with our team before making commitments to a supplier.
Do you match startup applications to outside funders?
Fund The People funds qualifying transactions directly through our own in-house Funding Solutions. Our team assesses the application and confirms the proposed terms. We do not match this application to a network of external funders.