To start an enquiry for Fund The People’s government or municipal Purchase Order Funding Solutions, your business needs a South African company registered on the Central Supplier Database, a valid awarded order with a deal value of at least R250,000, and suitable suppliers with current quotations. Those records give our team a transaction to assess.
Fund The People funds qualifying South African SMMEs directly through our own in-house Purchase Order Funding Solutions, Tender Funding Solutions and Invoice Discounting Solutions. This article explains eligibility starting points. For the funding service, supplier-payment process and application, visit our Purchase Order Funding Solutions in South Africa.
Start with the company named on the awarded order
The company applying should be identifiable in the award and supporting records. Check its registered name, registration information and current CSD details against the purchase order. If a name or company detail has changed, include the records that explain the difference.
Company registration and CSD registration establish starting information about the applicant. They do not replace the awarded transaction. Our team also needs to understand what the company must supply, who the buyer is and which suppliers will provide the required inputs.
Confirm that the work has been awarded
Provide the valid government or municipal purchase order that appoints your business to supply the specified goods or work. It should identify the buyer, order reference, appointed company, quantities, scope, value and delivery requirements.
A published tender, invitation to quote or draft supplier quotation is a different stage. If you are preparing a bid, focus on the buyer’s current submission requirements. Once work has been awarded, use the award and order records to establish the transaction for a funding enquiry.
Check the minimum deal value and the actual funding gap
Our minimum qualifying deal value is R250,000. Our deal range is R250,000–R8 million and above. Do not use the order’s selling value as a substitute for the amount needed to cover supplier costs.
Identify the goods or inputs that must be paid for before delivery and the dates when those costs fall due. Include other delivery costs separately and explain any contribution your business will provide. The assessed amount and covered costs are confirmed in the proposed arrangement.
Show that suitable suppliers can fulfil the requirement
A current supplier quotation should match the awarded specification and quantities. Check price validity, stock or production lead time, payment requirements and delivery arrangements. The supplier needs to be able to provide the goods or inputs required by the order.
Fund The People’s end-to-end supply chain support draws on 1,000+ vetted, accredited suppliers. Discuss supplier sourcing or fulfilment support with our team where it is needed. A supplier’s availability and the buyer’s delivery requirement should be considered together.
Bring the supporting records into a complete application
Eligibility describes the business and awarded order. Documents provide evidence for them. Use our official document guide to prepare the starting records and the additional supporting pack.
Tell the team about any record still being updated, such as a supplier quotation or company information. Funding approval within 48 hours applies to complete qualifying applications. The proposed arrangement separately confirms supplier-payment conditions and scheduling.
Once you have checked these eligibility starting points, use our guide to choosing a purchase order funding company to review supplier payments, total costs and the questions to ask before accepting an offer.
New businesses: explain the transaction you can deliver
If your company is new or its banking history is shorter than the requested records, tell our team what is available. Explain the awarded order, current suppliers, relevant delivery capability and the records you can provide. An assessment should be based on the actual application.
Use the available company records to explain your business’s current operating position alongside the awarded order. The published eligibility route is the useful first check. Review our dedicated eligibility page and discuss your business’s circumstances with our team.
Your eligibility checklist
- The applying business is a South African company with current CSD information.
- The business holds the relevant valid government or municipal purchase order.
- The awarded deal value is at least R250,000.
- Suitable suppliers have provided current quotations linked to the order.
- The business can explain the supplier-cost gap and delivery requirements.
- The supporting documents identify the same company and transaction.
Why Did 3000+ SMMEs Choose Fund The People?
Fund The People has supported 3,000+ South African SMMEs since January 2025. This is a support figure rather than a count of funded deals. Our team combines direct in-house Funding Solutions with practical supplier and fulfilment support.
With your awarded order and current quotations ready, apply to Fund The People and discuss the transaction with the team assessing it.
Frequently asked questions
Who can start a Purchase Order Funding Solutions enquiry?
Our published government or municipal route starts with a CSD-registered South African company, a valid awarded order with a deal value of at least R250,000, and suitable suppliers with current quotations. Our team assesses the transaction and supporting application.
Is CSD registration enough to qualify?
CSD registration is one starting requirement. The application also needs the awarded order, supplier-cost information and supporting company records. Keep the applicant’s details consistent across the pack and explain the requirement your business must deliver.
Is the minimum deal value different for every industry?
The published minimum qualifying deal value is R250,000. Our deal range is R250,000–R8 million and above. The actual amount considered and covered costs depend on the assessed transaction and proposed arrangement.
Can a new company discuss an awarded order with Fund The People?
A new company can explain its awarded order, supplier arrangements and available records to our team. If the requested banking history is not yet available, state the actual position. Our team confirms what is needed to assess the application.
Does a funding approval mean suppliers have already been paid?
Approval and payment release are separate events. Fund The People provides funding approval within 48 hours for complete qualifying applications. Supplier payments follow the approved arrangement and its release conditions.