Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking is proud to announce the Top 10 finalists of its 2026 Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, which forms part of the bank’s Kasi SME Summit taking place in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Representing all nine provinces of South Africa, these finalists (listed in no particular order) will now compete for the coveted R1 million grand prize:
| Business Name | Province | |
| Buhlebenkosi Agri Productions (Pty) Ltd | Free State | |
| Ezempilo Primecare Clinic (Pty) Ltd | North West | |
| GQ Creamery (Pty) Ltd | Eastern Cape | |
| Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd | Gauteng | |
| Marabou Essentials (Pty) Ltd | North West | |
| Muzi Capital Media (Pty) Ltd | Western Cape | |
| Mycopro | KwaZulu-Natal | |
| PSD Scent Perfumes (Pty) Ltd | Mpumalanga | |
| Trash Converters (Pty) Ltd | Limpopo | |
| Uuka Bricks (Pty) Ltd | Northern Cape | |
The finalists comprise the nine provincial winners, as well as one entrepreneur who secured a place in the national finals through the competition’s Viewers’ Choice selection process, giving a deserving business a second opportunity to advance through public support.
The entrepreneurs will take to the stage next week to pitch their businesses before a panel of judges in the national finale, having emerged from a highly competitive provincial selection process. The finalists operate across agriculture and agri-processing, healthcare services, food production, manufacturing, beauty and personal care, media and communications, circular economy solutions and sustainable construction materials.
“The Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, which forms an integral part of our Kasi SME Summit, continues to demonstrate the immense talent that exists within our communities and the impact that targeted support can have in helping businesses unlock their full growth potential,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa.
“The enthusiasm we have seen from not only SMEs but also the communities that support them, right across the country, highlights the growing appetite for entrepreneurship and the important role small businesses play in creating sustainable local economic opportunities. As a bank committed to driving Africa’s growth, we remain intentional about creating platforms that connect entrepreneurs with the support, visibility and opportunities they need to scale their businesses,” says Mosomane.
Now in its fourth year, the Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit has become one of South Africa’s leading platforms for entrepreneurship, bringing together SMEs, industry leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners to foster business growth, market access, networking and enterprise development. This year’s theme, “Commercialising Kasi: Unlocking Competitive Township Businesses”, underscores Standard Bank’s commitment to enabling entrepreneurs to thrive in a competitive economy.
The Summit and the Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge form part of Standard Bank’s broader Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, which supports qualifying majority black-owned SMEs through funding, business development support, mentorship, skills development and market access opportunities. Through these initiatives, Standard Bank continues to create pathways for entrepreneurs to scale sustainable businesses, unlock growth opportunities and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth.
SUPPLIED.
