Lepharo
Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a South African non-profit providing subsidised business incubation, accredited training, and mentoring to SMMEs in engineering, manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture, and green economy sectors across six regional centres, fully funded by government and corporate stakeholders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersGauteng, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lepharo does
Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a South African Section 21 Non-Profit Company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Springs, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The organisation provides business incubation, technical training, and mentoring services to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in engineering, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, construction inputs, and the green economy. Core delivery comprises subsidised workshop and incubation space across six regional centres (Springs, Rustenburg, Mogale City, Welkom, Matlosana, Khutsong), supplemented by an ISO-accredited Training Academy with branches delivering SETA-accredited programmes such as New Venture Creation and Quality Management Systems.
The operational model is grant-funded: all incubation, training, and intervention services are provided free of charge to qualifying SMMEs, with costs covered by stakeholders including the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), SEDA, Mogale City Local Municipality, PPC, Tshepo 1Million, Harambee Youth Empowerment Accelerator, and Sibanye-Stillwater Trust. The service catalogue spans financial compliance, legal services, HSE and labour compliance, personal development, wellness, quality assurance, market linkage, and stakeholder engagement. A flagship facility, the R13 million Mogale City Incubation Hub in Munsieville township, was launched in October 2021 to serve the West Rand's construction and mining value chains.
Lepharo reaches SMMEs through a community-led go-to-market motion anchored in stakeholder partnerships, regional centre presence, RFI campaigns (such as the Rustenburg RFI-SRMCDT programme), and direct outreach through workshops and training inductions. Reported outcomes include 500 businesses that have completed the three-year incubation programme, 48 SMMEs completing NVC Module 4, and 15 SMMEs established at the Mogale City Hub. The organisation is governed by a board led by CEO Mr Zenzo Nkomo and Chairperson Mongezi Veti, with Mr Albert Mathebula leading the Training Academy.
Lepharo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lepharo
- Legal name
- Lepharo - Incubation Programme NPC
- Website
- https://lepharo.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a South African non-profit providing subsidised business incubation, accredited training, and mentoring to SMMEs in engineering, manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture, and green economy sectors across six regional centres, fully funded by government and corporate stakeholders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lepharo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- SMME Business Incubation & Training
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)
Keywords
Where Lepharo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gauteng
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices8 records
Markets served
Lepharo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Grant and Stakeholder Funding: As a Section 21 Company (NPC), Lepharo operates as a non-profit incubation programme. All activities, training and interventions are funded by stakeholders including Gauteng Department of Economic Development, SEDA, and other partners. No cost is charged to incubated SMMEs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free incubation services for SMMEs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Lepharo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a non-profit Section 21 company that provides business incubation, subsidised workshop space, technical training, and mentoring to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in engineering, manufacturing, mining, construction inputs, agro-processing, and the green economy. Through six regional centres and an ISO-accredited Training Academy, it delivers SETA-accredited programmes (New Venture Creation, Quality Management Systems) plus intervention services covering financial compliance, legal, HSE, personal development, wellness, market linkage, funding facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
Product overview
Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a Section 21 company offering a comprehensive suite of incubation and business development services for SMMEs. The core offering consists of subsidised workshop/incubation space across 6 regional centres (Springs HQ, Rustenburg, Mogale City, Welkom, Matlosana, Khutsong), combined with specialised intervention services including Financial Compliance, HSE & Labour, Legal Services, Personal Development, Wellness, and Quality Assurance. The Lepharo Training Academy (ISO-accredited since 2011) delivers SETA-accredited programmes including New Venture Creation (NVC) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). Key sector-specific programmes include the R13 million Mogale City Incubation Hub serving mining and construction value chains, IRM Artisanal Skills Development for unemployed youth, and ESG Compliance Solutions. The organisation also provides Market Linkage and Stakeholder Engagement services to connect incubated SMMEs with procurement and networking opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lepharo Training Academy ISO-accredited training academy providing business practices, technical skills, and mentorship programmes for SMMEs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, mining, agro-processing, import replacement, and green economy sectors.
- Incubation Space Provision of subsidised, safe and secure workshop space across 6 regions around South Africa for incubated SMMEs.
- Business Incubation Programme Structured three-year incubation and business development support including business model refinement, financial discipline, compliance and governance, and HSE standards for 100% locally-owned SMMEs.
- Mogale City Incubation Hub R13 million incubation facility in Munsieville township, Krugersdorp, serving the construction and mining value chains with skills and training to support local economic development in the West Rand region. 15 SMMEs were established within the hub at launch.
- Financial Compliance Services Assistance with financial accounts preparation, business plan development, financial and accounting systems implementation, and funding facilitation for SMMEs.
- HSE & Labour Services Building legislative compliance culture through in-depth understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, COID Act, and Labour Relations for SMMEs.
- Legal Services Assisting SMMEs with legal matters including commercial law, fiduciary services, debt collections, labour law, and insurance law.
- Personal Development Services Psychometric assessments and personal career development plans for SMME directors, conducted by psychologists and psychometrists registered with HPCSA.
- Wellness Services Holistic approach ensuring physical and mental soundness of directors and staff wellness with a 24-hour helpline for incubated SMMEs.
- Quality Assurance Services Development and implementation of quality management systems that promote compliance and exceptional service delivery for SMMEs.
- ESG Compliance Solutions Comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance compliance solutions for SMEs and stakeholder partners including environmental assessments, social impact evaluations, and mining scorecard requirements.
- New Venture Creation (NVC) Training SETA-accredited training programme at NQF Level 4 focusing on identifying business opportunities, running a successful business, and business growth strategies.
- Quality Management Systems (QMS) Training Training programme covering quality management principles for SMMEs, with external moderation by Service SETA.
- Market Linkage Services Facilitating equal access to procurement, enterprise supplier development, and networking opportunities for market-ready SMMEs to stakeholders in the private and public sector.
- Stakeholder Engagement Services Comprehensive stakeholder analysis and engagement services for projects in suburban and township communities, involving municipal departments, community leaders, mines, and government departments.
- IRM Artisanal Skills Development Installation, Repairs and Maintenance artisanal skill development programmes targeting unemployed youth, women and people with disabilities, including Plumbing, Bricklaying, Electrician, Welder, and Machinery Maintenance trades.
Quantifiable outcome
- 500 businesses completed the three-year incubation programme
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lepharo
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lepharo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Lepharo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED)coreGDED partnered with Mogale City and Lepharo to launch the Mogale City Incubation Hub valued at R13 million. GDED aims to establish a West Rand Special Economic Zone (WRSEZ) aligned with Growing Gauteng Together 2030 (GGT2030) initiative. The partnership focuses on empowering township SMMEs in construction and mining value chains.
- Mogale City Local MunicipalitycoreMogale City partnered with GDED and Lepharo to establish the R13 million Incubation Hub in Munsieville township. The municipality provides local support and infrastructure for SMME development in the West Rand region.
- PPC (Pretoria Portland Cement)corePPC, a 100% South African cement producer, serves as technical partner in the Mogale City Incubation Hub project. PPC provides technical expertise and support to equip young businesses with skills to succeed in the construction and mining sectors.
- SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency)coreSEDA supports the Mogale City Incubation Hub as part of the three-year programme implementing business development interventions for SMMEs.
- Tshepo 1MillioncoreTshepo 1Million supports the Mogale City Incubation Hub programme through skills development and entrepreneurship mentorship, working with candidates to empower them through value creation.
- Harambee Youth Empowerment AcceleratorcoreHarambee identifies and includes youth in the incubation process through their approach to growing opportunities by increasing youth access to public and private sector opportunities, investing in micro-enterprises, and supporting entrepreneurs with market access.
- South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)minorSABS collaborates with Lepharo to conduct product testing and certification workshops for SMMEs, helping businesses understand and implement standards for market excellence and competitiveness.
- SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency)minorSANRAL is a strategic partner with AWRE (incubated SMME) for the development and testing of the All-Weather Resilient Road solution.
- FEHRL (Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories)minorFEHRL is a European innovation programme for roads and vehicles covering 30 European countries. AWRE is engaged with FEHRL's solution-seeking project intended to run until 2030, having solved the solution ahead of schedule.
- Canada National Research CouncilminorCanada's national research council is finalising a pilot project with AWRE in partnership with City of Ottawa on all-weather resilient tar/asphalt testing.
- Gautrans (Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport)minorGautrans is a strategic partner with AWRE for the development of smart road solutions in Gauteng province.
- City of OttawaminorCity of Ottawa is partnering with AWRE and Canada's National Research Council for pilot testing of the all-weather resilient tar solution.
- Sibanye-StillwatercoreSibanye-Stillwater Trust supports the RFI-SRMCDT programme targeting SMMEs in the Rustenburg region, offering skills development, production capacity expansion, funding linkages, export readiness, and quality assurance support.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lepharo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Impact Hub Johannesburg: Impact Hub Johannesburg provides co-working space, incubation and accelerator programmes for early-stage social enterprises and SMMEs in Gauteng. Comparable as a hybrid workspace-plus-incubation model targeting impact-driven entrepreneurs in Lepharo's core geography.
- Raizcorp: Raizcorp is one of South Africa's leading private SMME incubators, providing structured business incubation, mentorship and growth support to entrepreneurs. It is a direct peer in the SMME incubation space with a similar long-duration (multi-year) programme model.
- National Youth Development Agency (NYDA): NYDA delivers youth-focused entrepreneurship support, skills development and SMME funding across South Africa. NYDA overlaps directly with Lepharo's youth and township SMME mandate (ages 16-35, women, people with disabilities) and is referenced as an aligned youth-employability partner.
- SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency): SEDA is South Africa's national government agency for SMME development, providing incubation, training and funding facilitation. SEDA is a direct peer and explicit programme partner of Lepharo on the Mogale City Incubation Hub, operating in an overlapping space targeting the same type of SMMEs.
- The Awethu Project: Awethu identifies, funds and incubates high-potential township and peri-urban entrepreneurs. It is a direct peer in the South African SMME incubation market, particularly in the township-economy segment that Lepharo also targets.
- Edge Growth: Edge Growth builds and scales small and growing businesses in South Africa through enterprise and supplier development programmes, with strong corporate and ESD funding relationships. Direct peer: comparable model of supporting SMMEs through corporate and development-funder partnerships.
Emerging players
- Tshikululu Social Investments: Tshikululu manages enterprise and supplier development funds on behalf of corporates and channels them to SMMEs. Adjacent to Lepharo's model: same underlying ESD/market-linkage ecosystem but functions as a fund manager rather than a regional operator.
Regional players
- Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP): GEP is a Gauteng-based provincial SMME development entity providing infrastructure, incubation and funding support. Regional peer to Lepharo's Gauteng operations, offering similar services through a government-owned structure rather than a Section 21 NPC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lepharo social profiles
Digital presenceLepharo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lepharo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Lepharo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lepharo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lepharo
What does Lepharo do?
Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC is a non-profit Section 21 company that provides business incubation, subsidised workshop space, technical training, and mentoring to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in engineering, manufacturing, mining, construction inputs, agro-processing, and the green economy. Through six regional centres and an ISO-accredited Training Academy, it delivers SETA-accredited programmes (New Venture Creation, Quality Management Systems) plus intervention services covering financial compliance, legal, HSE, personal development, wellness, market linkage, funding facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
Is Lepharo a public or private company?
Lepharo is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lepharo founded?
Lepharo was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lepharo based?
Lepharo is headquartered in Gauteng, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Lepharo make money?
One revenue line is on record: grant and Stakeholder Funding.
Who are Lepharo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Impact Hub Johannesburg, Raizcorp, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency), The Awethu Project and Edge Growth. Tshikululu Social Investments is listed as an emerging player. Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) is listed as a regional player.
Does Lepharo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lepharo.
What industry is Lepharo in?
Lepharo's product category is SMME Business Incubation & Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAHAK, Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate). Its NAICS code is 61143 and its SIC code is 8742.