For four years, iCre8 South Africa was Youth Lab’s flagship programme, helping young people realise their economic potential. 

Started in 2015, iCrea8SA began as a national incubator programme, supporting 20 young innovators across South Africa. After a successful first intake, the programme adapted and the decision was made to hone in on specific communities around the country. The aim of this was to ignite financial transformation and empower young people to become economic actors through innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven solutions.

Over the next few years, Youth Lab took iCre8SA to 6 different provinces, hosting the incubation programme in the following communities:

2015: Pilot programme, recruited nationally and hosted in Johannesburg, Gauteng;

2016: Tembisa, Gauteng;

2017: Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga;

2017: Mafikeng, North West;

2018: Mankweng, Limpopo;

2018: Dimbaza, Eastern Cape;

2019: Ramolutsi, Free State.

iCre8SA defied several pervasive stereotypes about young people in townships by harnessing their untapped potential and turning them into catalysts for economic and social change. By focusing on mapping assets, encouraging grassroots problem-solving, and reactivating local resources, iCre8SA helped give hundreds of young people the tools to change their futures.

The impact of iCre8SA was profound and far-reaching. By focusing on the potential within townships, this initiative helped spark a sense of confidence and dignity within hundreds of young entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the success of iCre8SA lay in empowerment, and that is at the core of all of Youth Lab’s activities. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a community leader, or simply someone with a passion for positive change, Youth Lab’s programmes have always been about creating a space for young people to thrive. iCre8SA was no different.