When a business needs funding, it’s often a purely financial decision. But for a company like Shonaquip (Pty) Ltd, which is built on a mission to empower people with disabilities, the choice of a financial partner was about more than just numbers. It was about finding a funder that understood its purpose and could help amplify its social impact. This is the story of why Shonaquip chose Inyosi Empowerment to finance its work, and how that decision helped it expand its life-changing mission globally.
The story of Shonaquip begins with a mother’s love. Frustrated by the lack of functional mobility devices for her daughter with cerebral palsy, Shona McDonald founded a company to design and manufacture wheelchairs and equipment that is engineered to work. What started as a personal quest quickly grew into a powerful social enterprise.
Today, Shonaquip is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 55% Black ownership, that has spent nearly three decades designing and manufacturing innovative equipment for disabled communities. But its impact goes far beyond just products. The company has created a holistic ecosystem that includes extensive training for families and caregivers and employs a team where 30% of its members have disabilities. This powerful cycle of empowerment creates a meaningful ripple effect.
While many businesses would turn to a traditional commercial bank for a loan, Shonaquip’s leadership, including founder Shona McDonald and finance head Chris Venter, knew they needed a partner that shared their vision. They found that partner in Inyosi Empowerment.
The benefit of lending through Inyosi Empowerment is that Inyosi offers flexible, personalized solutions and a faster, simpler process. Unlike banks with their rigid, one-size-fits-all criteria, Inyosi tailors its loans to fit your unique needs. We don’t just look at your credit history; we also consider your business’s cash flow and future projections to provide a loan that truly works for you, complete with flexible repayment schedules and different collateral options.
Importantly, Inyosi’s mission is to support businesses that drive social upliftment and community development. This alignment was crucial for Shonaquip. As Chris Venter explains, “Inyosi’s team demonstrated a deep understanding of Shonaquip’s history, its market, and its overarching vision.”
“Inyosi has a solid reputation for being a supportive partner for our business,” Venter notes. He points to Inyosi’s commitment to creating jobs and building economic health in communities, not just through loans but also through their internship, mentoring and procurement programs, initiatives Shonaquip has directly benefited from. Shonaquip has hired several YES interns, placed at Shonaquip by Inyosi and funded by Inyosi’s investors. For Venter, their experience with Inyosi solidified a key principle: the best lender-borrower relationship is a true partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to a positive outcome.
The timely and strategic funding from Inyosi has allowed Shonaquip to fulfil large contracts and expand its reach far beyond South Africa. The company now operates in seven neighbouring Southern African countries, and its life-changing, specifically engineered equipment and support services are reaching children internationally.
Together, Shonaquip and Inyosi are proving that purpose-driven businesses can achieve incredible growth when they partner with the right funding source. Their collaboration is a powerful example of how strategic financial support can help build a more accessible and equitable world for everyone.
If you believe your business could benefit from a partnership with a funder that prioritises social impact, consider exploring the funding options available through Inyosi Empowerment by clicking here.