Kwa-Zulu Natal is set to host Standard Bank’s most dynamic showcase of township entrepreneurship, as 18 standout businesses from across the country, the top two from each province, gather for the Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge Summit 2025 on 27 August 2025. R500,000 in prize money is up for grabs as South Africa’s most promising township entrepreneurs converge for the national finals, following a competitive nine-province pitch process and a national masterclass designed to sharpen their business storytelling and presentation skills.

The Kasi SME Pitch Challenge is a long-standing highlight of the Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit, previously focused on Gauteng-based entrepreneurs. This year, the competition expanded nationally, giving township businesses in all nine provinces the platform to pitch, showcase their offerings, and unlock new growth opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud of all the participants who stepped up to share their vision. Their courage and passion are what drive the spirit of entrepreneurship in our communities. Our aim is to keep empowering local businesses and help them thrive in today’s tough economic climate with improved market access,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa. 

She adds, “Standard Bank’s support for local businesses goes beyond financial solutions. Through initiatives like the Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, and in partnership with like-minded sponsors such as the South African Future Trust, we reaffirm our belief in entrepreneurs as the backbone of our economy, contributing to job creation and national growth.”

This year’s summit is themed “Future-Proofing Kasi Businesses: From Survival to Sustainable Success” and will explore how township entrepreneurs can move from short-term survival to long-term sustainability by building financial resilience, embracing environmental responsibility, and deepening their social impact.

Standard Bank has partnered with the South African Future Trust (SAFT) as a Gold Sponsor for this year’s summit. SAFT’s support reflects a deep commitment to the power of entrepreneurship to drive inclusive growth, unlock innovation, and help communities thrive from the ground up.

Nico Jacobs, CEO of SAFT, adds: “The South African Future Trust, generously enabled by Oppenheimer Generations, prides itself on championing SMEs across South Africa. We believe profoundly that SMEs are the lifeblood of the South African economy and are privileged to play a role in supporting the Kasi SME Summit.”

The 18 regional winners represent a diverse mix of industries, from agriculture and robotics to fashion and mining, and will compete for top honours at the national finals. 

The full list of finalists from the nine provinces is as follows and in alphabetical order:

The Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge forms part of Standard Bank’s broader Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) strategy, which aims to support all majority black-owned SMEs with funding, skills development, and market access. For this year’s Challenge, 15 entrepreneurs were shortlisted in each province, with the top three receiving R30,000, R20,000, and R10,000, respectively. The top two from each province were then selected to compete at the national finals. The ESD programme supports black-owned businesses in South Africa that are at least 51% black-owned, have strong growth potential, and typically operate with an annual turnover of under R50 million.

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