TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Effective date: 13/07/2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to SME Platform.

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the SME Platform website, mobile application, marketplace, dashboards and related services.

SME Platform is operated by SME PLATFORM (PTY) LTD, registration number 2026 / 456192 / 07, trading as SME Platform.

By accessing, registering for or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Platform.

2. About SME Platform

SME Platform is a digital platform that connects entrepreneurs, SMEs, buyers, sellers, consultants, service providers, funders, investors, stokvel members and crowdfunding participants.

The Platform may allow users to:

Create personal or business profiles;
Advertise products, services and business opportunities;
Buy products or services;
Apply for or promote funding opportunities;
Connect with funders, investors and consultants;
Create or participate in crowdfunding or stokvel activities;
Upload business documents, images and videos; and
Access business-management tools.

Available features may differ depending on the user’s account type, subscription or verification status.

3. SME Platform’s role

Unless clearly stated otherwise, SME Platform acts as a technology and connection platform.
SME Platform is not automatically the seller, buyer, lender, investor, consultant or contracting party in transactions between users.

Users are responsible for:

Checking the identity and credibility of other users;
Reviewing products, services and opportunities carefully;
Conducting their own due diligence;
Obtaining independent professional advice where necessary; and
Entering into agreements at their own risk.

SME Platform does not guarantee sales, funding, investment returns, repayments or business success.

4. User eligibility and accounts

You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into agreements.

You agree to:

Provide accurate and current information;
Keep your password and login details secure;
Notify us of unauthorised account use;
Use the Platform only for lawful purposes; and
Accept responsibility for activity performed through your account.

Where you act on behalf of a business, organisation, stokvel or another person, you confirm that you have authority to do so.
We may request identity, business, banking or supporting documents for verification purposes.

5. Marketplace listings and transactions

Users who advertise products, services, businesses or opportunities must ensure that their information is accurate, lawful and not misleading.

Sellers and service providers are responsible for:

Product or service descriptions;
Prices, taxes and availability;
Delivery and fulfilment;
Customer service;
Refunds, returns and warranties; and
Compliance with applicable laws and licences.

Transactions are generally concluded directly between the buyer and seller.
SME Platform is not responsible for poor service, defective products, delivery failures or disputes between users, except where required by law.

6. Funding, crowdfunding and investment opportunities

The Platform may allow businesses to publish funding requests, submit applications or connect with funders and investors.

SME Platform does not guarantee that:

A funding application will be approved;
A campaign will reach its target;
A loan will be repaid;
An investment will generate a return;
A business or project will succeed; or
Campaign funds will be used exactly as proposed.

Campaign owners and applicants are responsible for providing accurate information and complying with applicable laws.
Funders, investors and contributors must conduct their own investigations and assess the risks before participating.

7. No professional advice

Information, templates, calculations and opportunities displayed on the Platform are provided for general information only.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, SME Platform does not provide personal financial, legal, tax, accounting, credit or investment advice.

Users should obtain independent professional advice before making important business, funding or investment decisions.

8. Stokvel and group tools

SME Platform may provide tools to assist stokvels and other groups with member administration, contributions, records, documents and communication.

Unless agreed otherwise, SME Platform:

Is not a member of the group;
Does not control group decisions;
Does not guarantee member contributions;
Is not responsible for internal disputes; and
Does not act as the group’s trustee, banker or auditor.

Each group is responsible for its own rules, records, administration and legal compliance.

9. Fees and payments

SME Platform may charge fees for subscriptions, listings, advertising, administration, verification, transaction services or access to certain tools.

Applicable fees will be displayed before payment.

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers and may also be subject to their terms.

SME Platform is not responsible for delays, interruptions, chargebacks or failures caused by banks or payment providers.

10. User content

Users retain ownership of content they upload, including text, documents, images, videos, logos and business information.

By uploading content, you give SME Platform permission to store, display and use it as reasonably necessary to operate and promote the Platform.

You confirm that:

You own the content or have permission to use it;
It is accurate and lawful;
It does not infringe another person’s rights; and
It does not contain confidential information you are not allowed to share.

We may remove content that is unlawful, misleading, harmful or in breach of these Terms.

11. Prohibited use

You may not use the Platform to:

Commit fraud or unlawful activity;
Misrepresent your identity or business;
Publish false or misleading information;
Sell illegal, stolen, counterfeit or unsafe items;
Operate pyramid, Ponzi or unlawful investment schemes;
Infringe intellectual-property or privacy rights;
Distribute malware;
Harass other users;
Manipulate ratings or reviews;
Collect information without permission; or
Interfere with the security or operation of the Platform.

We may suspend accounts and report suspected unlawful activity to the relevant authorities.

12. Privacy

Personal information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable South African data-protection laws.

Users who receive another person’s information through the Platform may use it only for the authorised transaction or business purpose.

Our Privacy Policy forms part of these Terms and Conditions.

13. Third-party services

The Platform may connect with payment gateways, cloud services, accounting systems, delivery providers, customer-management tools and external websites.

These services are governed by their own terms and policies.

SME Platform is not responsible for the availability, security or performance of third-party services.

14. Platform availability

We aim to keep the Platform available and secure but cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.

The Platform may be temporarily unavailable because of maintenance, updates, technical failures, cybersecurity incidents or events beyond our control.

We may change, suspend or remove features where reasonably necessary.

15. Suspension and termination

We may restrict, suspend or terminate an account where a user:

Breaches these Terms;
Provides false information;
Fails verification;
Misuses the Platform;
Fails to pay applicable fees;
Creates a fraud or security risk; or
Engages in unlawful or harmful conduct.

Termination does not remove obligations or liabilities that arose before the account was terminated.

16. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, SME Platform is not liable for losses arising from:

Transactions or disputes between users;
Failed businesses, campaigns, loans or investments;
Incorrect information supplied by users;
Third-party services;
Unauthorised account access caused by a user; or
Temporary Platform interruptions.

Nothing in these Terms removes any rights or protections that may not legally be excluded.

17. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time.

The updated version will be published on the Platform with a revised effective date.

Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect means that you accept the updated Terms.

18. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Users should first attempt to resolve disputes in good faith before starting formal legal proceedings.

Nothing prevents a user from approaching a competent court, regulator, ombud or consumer-protection body.

19. Contact details

Questions, complaints or legal notices may be sent to:

Registered company name: SME PLATFORM (PTY) LTD
Trading name: SME Platform
Registration number: 2026 / 456192 / 07
Email: sales@smeplatform.co.za
Telephone: 068 476 9262
Website: www.smeplatform.co.za