Why You Need a Registered Company
So, you have a product idea. You’ve got a name. But is it a business yet? In South Africa, trading under a registered "Pty Ltd" (Private Company) is the first step to being taken seriously by suppliers, banks, and customers.
While you can start as a Sole Proprietor, registering protects your personal assets and allows you to open a business bank account—a requirement for most top-tier payment gateways like Peach Payments.
The DIY Route: CIPC E-Services
You can register directly through the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) website. Here is what the process looks like in 2025:
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Create a Customer Code: Register on the CIPC e-services portal.
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Deposit Funds: You cannot pay by card directly; you must deposit exactly R175 into their bank account using your customer code as a reference.
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Name Reservation: Before registering, you need to reserve your name (R50). This can take 1-3 days to be approved.
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Lodge the Company: Once the name is approved, you fill out the CoR 15.1A forms, listing directors and shareholders.
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Submit Documents: Email certified ID copies of all directors to the CIPC.
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The Wait: If all goes well, you receive your registration papers (CoR 14.3) in 5–10 business days.
The Hidden Pitfalls
The system is notorious for being "offline" or rejecting documents because a scan wasn't clear enough. If you make a mistake with the director details, fixing it requires a complex "Director Amendment" process that costs more money and time.
The LaunchLlama Way
We believe you should focus on your product, not government paperwork. That’s why our Plus and Pro Packages include full CIPC registration.
We handle the name reservation, document submission, and even the B-BBEE affidavit. You send us your ID; we send you a legally registered business.