Entrepreneurship awards can play a significant role in boosting your business’s credibility. But finding these award opportunities isn’t always easy, especially if you are a one-man business or a small agency that isn’t backed by an agency that will find these opportunities and apply on your behalf.
Fortunately, you do not have to miss out on award opportunities any longer. In this article, we have compiled a list of entrepreneurship awards in South Africa that you must know about.
1. Business Partners
The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are an annual event hosted by The Business Partners Ltd. These prestigious awards are held annually and serve to recognise and give honour to successful entrepreneurs in the South African SME sector.
These awards not only celebrate entrepreneurial excellence but also educate entrepreneurs who want to reach excellence. This initiative educated the youth about the option of selecting entrepreneurship as a viable career.
Award winners receive more than recognition of entrepreneurial excellence; they receive prizes worth R2 million, including cash prizes of R500 000, as well as mentorship support.
2. National Small Business Chamber (NSBC)
The South African Small Business Awards aim to celebrate and recognise small businesses and entrepreneurial excellence. These awards are hosted by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC), and entries are exclusive to NSBC members.
These awards highlight entrepreneurs who have launched a game-changing business, grown against all odds, and impacted their communities.
3. The South African Future Trust Awards
The South African Future Trust Awards, hosted by the South African Future Trust, are a celebration of hard work and resilience in entrepreneurship. These awards place a large emphasis on acknowledging and placing a spotlight on businesses that’ve remained resilient through tough times.
The awards have six categories, which include: youth entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, tech entrepreneur, women in business, most innovative ideas, and optimised operating model (OOM) impact.
Winners in each category will be awarded with a prize worth R500 000, included in this prize is a R250 000 cash prize to assist in the growth of the business. The remaining R250 000 is dedicated towards a support package.
4. Standard Bank Top Women Awards
The Standard Bank Top Women Awards celebrate female entrepreneurs who are renowned and thriving in their field. The award is set to recognise leadership, growth, innovation, sustainability, and achievement.
The general criteria for these awards require that all companies demonstrate a turnover of over R35 million. Additionally, all companies applying must operate in South Africa and neighbouring countries. The awards are split between organisation awards and individual awards, with a variety of categories under each.
5. Santam Women of the Future
The Santam Women of the Future awards are an event hosted by Fairlady and Truelove magazines in association with Santam. These awards celebrate the achievements of South African women entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact in their respective industries.
There are three categories within the awards: Women of the Future, Social Entrepreneur, and Rising Star, each acknowledging different stages and types of entrepreneurial ventures. The awards provide valuable recognition, networking opportunities, and a platform for these remarkable women to further their businesses.
Prizes awarded include a R125 000 cash prize for the Woman of the Future Award, R75 000 for each winner in the rising star and social entrepreneur category. Other prizes include hampers, vouchers, and much more.
6. AWIEF Awards
The African Woman Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Awards celebrate women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Africa. This initiative aims to showcase powerful stories of women in leadership to inspire the next generations of young women.
There are eight award categories, which include the young entrepreneur award, tech, agri, creative, empowerment, energy, social, and the lifetime achievement award.
7. Entrepreneurs’ Organisation
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) are a global competition hosted by the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation to recognise entrepreneurs who are students in college or university.
Winners are awarded a share of a $100 000 prize. These awards are not set in one location. Applicants must go through the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation to see if their country is listed for any award events. If not, applicants can select the option “my country/city is not listed” and proceed to submit their application.
