J29 is a specialist team, not a large implementer. Funders and lead organisations bring us in to deliver the digital skills, AI, branding and online presence part of a programme, and to show what changed for every business.
You own the programme and the relationship with your funder. J29 delivers its part and hands you the evidence.
You lead the application. J29 takes one work package, such as digital and AI skills, brand and online presence, or mentoring, with its own budget line, deliverables and reporting.
You choose the businesses or the young people. J29 runs the cohort from the first diagnosis to the final report, in person or on the J29 Learn Portal.
Your programme keeps its shape. J29 adds the part most programmes lack: every business leaves with a brand, a website and the skills to use AI in its daily work.
Figures from programmes J29 has delivered. Each one is on record and can be checked in a proposal.
learners on a year long accredited youth programme were women. On a township business makeover, 26 of 50 business owners were women.
young people graduated from that programme. On the makeover, 42 of 50 business owners were 35 or under.
businesses in Soweto, Eldorado Park, Daveyton and Kempton Park completed the makeover, with R188,000 in grants paid into their business accounts.
MSMEs trained in digital marketing, finance, business support and AI, and 90+ given a professional brand and digital presence.
J29 supports the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, and its signatory application to the Women's Empowerment Principles has been submitted. See the Sustainability Policy.
Every business is scored on the S.E.E.D.S Compass before work starts and again at the end: 150+ questions across 22 dimensions. That gives your programme a before and an after, not a register of who attended.
Tell us the indicators your funder asks for. We record against them from day one and report on your schedule, in your template if you have one.
Five delivered programmes, with what each one left behind, are on the proof page.
See the programme proofThe facts a partner needs before a first call. The documents behind them are supplied on request.
J29 is a lean team working with trusted associates, facilitators and mentors. On large programmes we work inside a lead partner's structure and deliver our part of it well.
J29 is contracted to deliver. Where funding can only go to a registered charity or a public body, we join as the delivery partner to that organisation.
Every figure on this website comes from a programme record. If we cannot show the evidence for a number, we do not publish it.
Erwin Middleton founded J29 in 2019 after more than 20 years in corporate, the last eight leading supplier and enterprise development programmes at Absa. Locally, Erwin launched the Absa Centre of Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg. Internationally, Erwin was part of the team behind the London International Trade Bridge with Anglia Ruskin University, helping South African entrepreneurs reach UK markets.
More about J29J29 delivers the digital skills, AI, branding and online presence part of an MSME or youth programme, and gives the lead organisation a before and after score for every business. It can join a bid as a partner, run a cohort for you, or add the digital part to a programme already running.
Yes. J29 takes one work package, such as digital and AI skills, brand and online presence, or mentoring, with its own budget line, deliverables and reporting. The lead organisation keeps the relationship with the funder.
No. J29 is a private business registered in South Africa, founded in 2019 and based in Johannesburg. Where funding can only go to a registered charity or a public body, J29 joins as that organisation's contracted delivery partner.
Business registration, tax compliance status, the B-BBEE certificate (Level 1), the MICT SETA accreditation letter, the safeguarding and data protection policies, the Sustainability Policy, the PAIA Manual, and reference letters with each client's permission.
Every business is scored on the S.E.E.D.S Compass at the start and the end: 150+ questions across 22 dimensions. Funders also receive a deliverables register with live links, an outcomes log, grouped demographics and reporting against their own indicators.
In person across South Africa and online anywhere through the J29 Learn Portal. J29 is based in Johannesburg.
Tell us the call, the outcomes you need and the dates. We reply within 1 to 2 business days, and we will say so plainly if J29 is not the right fit.