Business Incubator: What It Is and How Poultry Farmers Can Use One
A business incubator helps a new business survive its first years with training, mentoring, shared facilities and links to finance. Here is how incubators work in South Africa and where a poultry or hatchery start-up can find one.
By the IncubatorPro team · Updated 4 October 2026
What is a business incubator?
A business incubator is an organisation or programme that supports early-stage businesses until they can stand on their own. Typical support includes:
business and technical training, and one-on-one mentoring
shared workspace, equipment or production facilities
help with business plans, record-keeping and compliance
introductions to buyers, markets and funders
Incubators usually take businesses in for a fixed period, often one to three years. An accelerator is similar but shorter and aimed at businesses that are already growing fast.
Not to be confused with an egg incubator, the machine that hatches eggs, which is what IncubatorPro sells.
Business incubators in South Africa
The main public route is the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), formed in 2025 when Seda and sefa merged. Its Seda Technology Programme (STP) incubation programme supports early-stage businesses in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and the green economy, with technical support, product development, market testing and access to shared equipment.
SEDFA also funds independent incubators. One example in agriculture is the Seda-funded incubator run by MASDT (Mobile Agricultural Skills Development and Training), which supports emerging plant and animal production businesses in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Universities, provincial development agencies, banks and corporate enterprise-development programmes also run incubators, so it is worth asking your local SEDFA branch which ones cover your area and sector.
Who qualifies?
Requirements differ per incubator, but most public programmes look for:
a South African-owned small business or co-operative, usually registered with CIPC
a clear business idea or an early-stage business with a plan
commitment to attend training and mentoring
Programmes often prioritise women, youth, people with disabilities and rural businesses.
Using an incubator to start a poultry or hatchery business
A hatchery that sells day-old chicks is a good fit for agricultural incubation: the equipment cost is modest, the 21-day cycle gives quick cash flow, and mentoring helps with the parts most new farmers find hard, such as costing, biosecurity and finding buyers.
Get a written quotation for your equipment. Incubation programmes and funders usually ask for one. See incubator prices or WhatsApp us on 061 438 3411 for a quote.
Approach SEDFA or an agricultural incubator with the plan and quotation, and ask about matching funding (see funding for poultry farmers).
How to apply to SEDFA
Visit your nearest SEDFA branch or the official website (seda.org.za) and ask to speak to a business development adviser. Take your ID, company registration documents and business plan. Confirm current programmes, requirements and contact details with SEDFA directly, as the merged agency is still updating some of its processes.
Incubators often used to start a hatchery business
Every model has automatic turning, digital temperature and humidity control and a 2-year warranty. Pay cash on delivery or by EFT.
A business incubator is a programme or organisation that helps new businesses survive and grow, usually with training, mentoring, shared facilities and links to markets and finance, for a fixed period of one to three years.
What is the difference between a business incubator and an accelerator?+
An incubator supports very early businesses over a longer period, often one to three years. An accelerator is a short, intensive programme for businesses that are already trading and ready to grow fast.
Are there business incubators for farmers in South Africa?+
Yes. SEDFA's Seda Technology Programme includes agriculture among its incubation sectors, and it funds agricultural incubators such as the one run by MASDT in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Ask your local SEDFA branch which incubators cover your area.
Is a business incubator the same as an egg incubator?+
No. A business incubator helps businesses grow. An egg incubator is a machine that keeps eggs warm, humid and turned until they hatch.
