| YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge | YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/youthstartct%20headert.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass41EC2F9888B944FCA49187B011914B40"><p>The YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge is a start-up programme designed to equip Cape Town youth (18–35) and existing small businesses with the skills, networks, and resources needed to transform new ideas into sustainable ventures or to strengthen and grow existing businesses that tackle local challenges and create jobs.</p><p>Submit your entries from 24 January - 24 February 2026.</p></div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">About the challenge</h2><p>We want you to share your most innovative entrepreneurial ideas for creating employment in your local community. </p><p>The YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge is a dynamic start-up and business growth programme for Cape Town youth (18–35 years old). It is designed to equip participants with the practical skills, mentorship, and resources needed to bring innovative ideas to life or to strengthen existing businesses. </p><p>Through a combination of training sessions, expert guidance, and access to valuable networks, participants learn how to develop sustainable business models, solve real community challenges, and create employment opportunities. The programme not only supports entrepreneurial growth but also fosters creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, helping young people make a lasting impact in their communities.
<br></p><h2 class="sectHeading">How it works</h2><ul><li>150 participants will be selected </li><li>Participants will be placed into two groups, the ideation phase and existing businesses </li><li>Your business or business idea should clearly show its potential for profitability and long-term sustainability in relation to the
<strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) </strong>
<a href="https://southafrica.un.org/en/sdgs" target="_blank">Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations in South Africa
<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. </li><li>Applications will be scored based on innovation, impact and sustainability potential.</li></ul><p></p><p>
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/YouthStart_TermsandConditions.pdf" target="_blank">Read the full Terms and Conditions </a> </p><h2 class="sectHeading">How to enter</h2><p>
<a href="https://www.research.net/r/XPQ872D" target="_blank">Complete the YouthStartCT entry form<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p><p>
<strong>Entries close on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.</strong></p><p>Read through our<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/YouthStart_FAQs.pdf" target="_blank"> FAQ document for answers to frequently asked questions</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">What comes next?</h2><h4> After the selection process, the 150 participants will take part in:</h4><ul><li>Entrepreneurship training sessions (transport will be made available) </li><li>Mentorship sessions </li><li>Pitching rounds (presentation of your existing business or business idea to panel of adjudicators). This will take place between February and May 2026. </li></ul><p>After the first pitching round, the top 10 ideas and top 10 existing businesses will advance to the final adjudication pitch. </p><p>In May 2026, the top three existing businesses and top three business ideas will be announced at an awards ceremony event.</p><h4>Participants will benefit from a range of awards and incentives, including:</h4><ul>
<li>
Certificates for all participants
</li><li>Promotional items for all participants
</li><li>Marketing materials for top 10 existing businesses and top 10 business ideas
</li><li>Networking opportunities for top 10 business ideas
</li><li>Provision of data for virtual training, mentoring or networking sessions for the top 10 Business Ideas
</li><li>Sponsored cash prizes for top 10 existing businesses and top 10 business ideas </li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">2025 Winners</h2><h4>The top three winners in the existing business category were:</h4><ul><li>Rashaad Sambaba -<em> Everything Stationery </em></li><li>Theophilus Nyiki –
<em>IQula Colognes</em></li><li> Maronga Korora -
<em>MK24: Clean and Restore</em></li></ul><h4>In the business ideas categories, the winners were:</h4><ul><li>
<strong>Manufacturing: </strong>Joshua Van Staden -
<em>I Can Only Imagine</em></li><li>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Agriculture and farming: </strong>Simone Govender -
<em>EcoCycle Solutions</em></li><li>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Finance and Business Services: </strong>Erica Mbazima -
<em>She is Protected</em></li><li>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Information Technology (IT): </strong>Miche Frans -
<em>GameXperience Africa</em></li><li>
<strong> </strong>
<strong>Tourism: </strong>Manthole Maila -
<em>Asafim</em></li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading"> Contact us<br></h2><p>For more information, contact:</p><h4> Blanche Olivier</h4><p>
<em>Telephone:
<br>
<a>021 444 0746</a><br><br> Email:
<br>
<a href="mailto:Blanche.Olivier@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Blanche.Olivier@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p> | | GP0|#97faa778-c7d5-4a13-9364-725a1383e00f;L0|#097faa778-c7d5-4a13-9364-725a1383e00f|Jobs and opportunities;GTSet|#a7cfb90d-44ad-4426-98ce-565f79932396;GPP|#54dbab3a-0b2f-4602-8af5-3d651c59a5f4;GP0|#f2103f17-c160-410b-83b7-bf7c64527015;L0|#0f2103f17-c160-410b-83b7-bf7c64527015|Business funding;GPP|#17bbfc60-2cad-4ada-91e5-801244a1840f | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you are between 18 and 35 years old, we want you to take part in the YouthStart Entrepreneurial Challenge. | 0 |
