The Stanford Graduate School of Business and De Beers Group have renewed their partnership aimed at scaling high potential enterprises across Southern Africa, in a move that aligns with government’s pursuit of a private-sector led economy.
The programme, formally known as the Stanford Seed Transformation Program (STP), is an executive education initiative designed for high-potential CEOs/founders of for-profit companies or for-profit social enterprises with annual revenues between US$300,000 and US$15 million in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
The programme aligns with the national priority of a “True North” under which government is committed to ensuring that productivity, competitiveness and innovation are placed at the centre of development, while shifting the growth engine toward a dynamic private sector led economy.
In a press statement announcing the renewal, the partners described the development as a significant milestone for a partnership first launched in 2017. Through the latest agreement, the partnership has been renewed for a further three years till 2028.
The renewed deal comes with a US$2.3 million (P30,546,852.00) injection in funding.
The statement said the extension reinforces the two partners shared commitment to growing and scaling high potential enterprises across Southern Africa.
“The collaboration has supported transformative business growth, strengthened leadership capability, and accelerated job creation across the region," reads the statement.
Detailing the new investment, De Beers Group confirmed it has committed to an investment of US$2.3 million over the 2026 to 2028 period, which will equip an additional 60 business leaders and 300 management teams with the tools to grow and scale.
Aligned to the renewed commitment, recruitment for the Class of 2027 officially opened on February 18 this week.
“High growth entrepreneurs from across Southern Africa are invited to apply for the next cohort of the Stanford Seed Transformation Program, delivered in partnership with De Beers,” the statement reads.
The statement added that the programme equips founders and senior leaders with world class business frameworks, global insights and a powerful peer network designed to unlock scale, strengthen governance, and drive sustainable impact.
Otsile Mabeo, Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainability at De Beers Group, said the initiative is aligned to the company’s long term development goals.
“The Seed Transformation Program equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and networks they need to grow their businesses while creating lasting value in their communities,” she said.
Mabeo further said this aligns with De Beers’ Building Forever framework, which is focused on making a meaningful, sustainable impact in the places where De Beers operates and ensuring a positive legacy long after the last diamond is mined.
"We are proud to welcome a new cohort of leaders from across Southern Africa who are ready to elevate their businesses and drive transformative change,” Mabeo said.
Applications for the Stanford Seed Transformation Program close on May 1, 2026.
