SEDA SoftStart BTI’s founding institutions are the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the University of Pretoria (UP), the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).

The Softstart BTI incubation model incorporates virtual incubation, early-start incubation and full tenancy incubation in order to assist SMMEs in various phases of development.

Softstart BTI focuses on incubating young IT graduates and professionals, with the intention of these individuals pursuing entrepreneurship as an alternative to traditional employment, whilst leveraging opportunities to build a sustainable business.

Softstart BTI is particularly receptive to proposals from members of previously disadvantaged groups including black entrepreneurs, women, the disabled and students through satellite incubation.