Starting out
I have an idea
Turn it into a registered business: check your name, register your company, get a tax number and open a business bank account.
Free for every small business owner
Start it. Fund it. Grow it.
Step by step guides, funders, compliance checklists and 82 business tools in one place. Every listing shows when J29 last checked it.
Popular:
4,000+ people in J29’s network
100% free to use
Run by J29, B-BBEE Level 1
Simplified by J29
Your Next Customer
2 lists. 9 minutes a day.
Your next customer is closer than you think. They already know you, already asked you for a price, or know someone who did. A website and a daily post get you seen. This simple habit helps you follow through: contact the people you already know, answer today, write it down and ask.
- PlantBe easy to find. Reach real people by name.
- GrowAnswer today. Write it down. Follow up.
- HarvestAsk for the sale. Ask for one more name.
A phone and a notebook are enough. Every step works without data.
IdeaTest it on real peopleBefore you register or buy stock, find five people who will pay.
StartingWin your first customersThey are people who already know you. Reach them by name.
GrowingStop losing enquiriesAnswer the same day and follow up until you get a yes or a no.
ScalingMake it a team habitHand the two lists to your team. Same book, same nine minutes.
Where are you now?
Pick your starting point
The Hub is built for business owners and for the organisations that back them.
Up and running
I run a business
Find funding that fits, stay on the right side of SARS and CIPC, and pick tools that help you sell more and spend less.
Supporting MSMEs
I back small businesses
Corporates, funders, MSME support and CSI programmes and service providers: put your programme or service in front of MSMEs at the moment they look for help.
Your business journey
One step at a time, in the right order
Every stage links to what you need for it, checked by J29.
1
IdeaTest it with real customers, then write a simple plan.Test your idea
2
RegisterCompany, tax number and a business bank account.Step by step guide
3
FundGrants, loans and awards that fit your stage.11 funders
4
ComplySARS, UIF, COIDA, B-BBEE and CIPC deadlines.Checklists
5
GrowTenders, incubators, exports and partners.Opportunities
Free guides
Step-by-step guides for every stage
Plain-language guides by J29, checked against official sources. Start with the stage you’re at.
IdeaTest your idea before you investFind paying customers before you register, buy stock or borrow.8 min read
PlanWrite a simple business planA one-page plan for your team, a funding plan for each funder, and honest numbers.10 min read
RegisterRegister a business in South AfricaStructure, BizPortal, SARS, a bank account, UIF and COIDA.8 min read
FundGet funding for your businessGrants vs loans, supplier funding from big companies, the risks, repayments and who to apply to.11 min read
SellGet paid: card, QR codes and payment linksEvery payment option compared, plus invoices, scams and unpaid bills.9 min read
GrowCSD and tenders: the honest guideWhat the CSD really does, finding RFQs, 80/20 scoring and avoiding disqualification.13 min read
Quick wins
Six things worth doing this week
Small steps that make a real difference for most small businesses.
Get on Google MapsA free Google Business Profile puts you in front of people searching nearby.Free
Make it officialRegister your company online. Our guide walks you through every step.Step by step
Sell on WhatsApp properlyWhatsApp Business adds a catalogue, quick replies and labels for orders.Free
Check what funding fitsFilter grants and loans by your stage, sector and who owns the business.Funding directory
Take card paymentsQR codes and tap on phone mean no lost sales because a customer has no cash.Free guide
Ask a business questionAsk J29 gives practical answers on pricing, marketing, funding and more.Free, any time
Hub partners
Organisations backing small business
Health & Wellness Partner
Look after the people who keep your business running
MyAktiv60 designs wellness for South African teams: managed fitness facilities, on-site health screenings led by biokineticists, social run clubs and leadership retreats. Individuals are welcome at their open events.
Visit MyAktiv60
Strategy & Growth Partner
Get your strategy and systems right
Blueprint Global Consulting helps small business owners plan their growth and run their business better: growth strategy, operating models, processes and SOPs, procurement readiness and market access. Every engagement ends with something you can use straight away, and a check-in within a month.
Visit Blueprint Global Consulting
Tools
82 tools, sorted by what you need
Free and low-cost tools from many companies and countries, chosen with small businesses in mind. Nobody pays to be on this list.
For corporates, funders and programmes
Reach MSMEs where they look for help
Put your funding, MSME support or CSI programme, or your service, beside the government agencies MSMEs already trust. Rates are shared in the partner pack.
4,000+people in J29’s network across training and social channels
Level 1B-BBEE supplier
Monthlyclick report for featured partners
For funders, programmes and services
Partner listing
Your programme or service in the right Hub directory, labelled as a partner, with an enquiry button.
For maximum visibility
Featured partner
Top of your category and on the Hub front page, with a monthly report.
For banks and brands
Section or guide sponsor
An exclusive “Supported by” on a section or guide, such as Funding or Register a Business.
For MSME support and supplier programmes
Recruitment campaign
Fill your programme with suitable MSMEs, promoted to the J29 network, with an applicant report.
Also available: verified service provider listings for accountants, lawyers and verification agencies, and sponsorship of Hub updates. Every paid placement is labelled, and tools are never for sale.
Want a hand?
Do it with J29
The Hub is free. When you would rather not do it alone, J29's team can work through it with you.
Get funding-readyMentoring through the S.E.E.D.S. framework: your plan, your numbers and your application.
Get found onlineWebsites, Google Business Profile, social media and branding, done for you.
Skill up your teamPractical workshops in digital marketing, AI and business, plus SETA-accredited in-person programmes.
The Business Hub: common questions
What is the J29 Business Hub?
A free place for business owners to start, fund and grow a business: step by step guides, short answers, a list of funders, compliance checklists and 82 business tools, with the date J29 last checked each one.
Is the Business Hub really free?
Yes. Every guide, answer, checklist and tool listing is free, with no sign up needed. Paid partners who appear on the Hub are always labelled, and a listing is never an endorsement.
How do I know the information is current?
Every listing and guide shows when J29 last checked it against the official source, such as CIPC, SARS or the funder itself. Laws, fees and funders change, so always confirm with the source before you act.
What is Ask J29?
A free AI business mentor on the website. Ask a question about registering, funding, compliance, pricing or marketing and get a plain language answer in seconds, any time. It gives general guidance, not legal, tax or financial advice.
What is Your Next Customer?
J29's own simple habit for getting customers: two lists (people to reach and people who asked) and nine minutes a day, in three stages, Plant, Grow and Harvest. It works with a phone and a notebook, with no data.
Who runs the Hub and why?
J29, a digital transformation partner for MSMEs based in Johannesburg, founded in 2019. The Hub is free for business owners because the people who need help most are often the ones who cannot pay for advice. Organisations that back small businesses can partner with the Hub to reach them.
Not sure where to start?
Ask J29, our free AI business mentor, or join the MSME network to hear about funding windows, programmes and opportunities first.