Energy giant Engen, in partnership with Raizcorp, has opened applications for the third edition of the competition. The competition places ten entrepreneurs in a series of business challenges designed to test their ability to transform ideas into products and services people genuinely want, understand and are willing to pay for.
According to the press release, Engen The Making Of challenges entrepreneurs to take a brief and turn it into a marketable, commercially viable product or service, all to stand a chance to win their share of R800 000 in cash.
“The difference between a good idea and a successful business often comes down to whether an entrepreneur can turn a concept into something people truly value and are willing to pay for,” says Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp and Executive Director of The Making Of. “The competition pushes entrepreneurs to think beyond inspiration and consider every aspect of building a viable product. It’s about combining creativity with commercial thinking.”
How the Competition Works
In the beginning, the selected ten entrepreneurs will be placed into teams where they have to work together to design a profitable, market-ready product.
The competition is divided into eight rounds, with R100 000 up for grabs in each round. Each round puts participants into a new industry with a new challenge to solve. Contestants are given four hours to conceptualise a product or service that solves a real-world problem.
As contestants get eliminated, the cash pot grows, meaning the further a contestant progresses through the various challenges, the more they win.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for the competition, you must meet the following criteria, which include basic requirements such as being over the age of 18, born in South Africa, operating a business of which you have 40% ownership and being registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or trading as a sole proprietor.
You cannot apply if you:
- Supply goods or services related to TMO, Raizcorp group of companies or Engen
- A director, member, partner, employee, agent or consultant of Engen or Raizcorp Group or any other entity that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by Engen or Raizcorp
- A spouse, life partner, agent parent, child, sibling or business partner of any of the abovementioned
How to Apply
The closing date for applications is 5 June 2026, with the competition starting on the 14th of July and ending on 26 November 2026. You must submit a completed online application to be considered.
Real Business Impact
Last year’s edition of the competition saw Koketso Ramatlho, founder of Angela Care, crowned as the winner. She walked away with R253 333 in prize money, providing a valuable boost as she continues to grow Angela Care and expand its product development capabilities.
She used her learnings and winnings to develop her business further. She also plans to establish a laboratory to strengthen future product innovation.
“Engen The Making Of changed how I think about building products,” says Ramatlho. “The competition challenged me to think beyond the idea itself and focus on whether customers would understand the value, how products could evolve and what was needed to build something sustainable.”
“If you’re serious about building something meaningful, apply. The process stretches the way you think and helps you approach your business with a much stronger commercial mindset,” she adds.
Why SMEs Need More Development Opportunities
Competitions such as the Engen in the Making are crucial to SME development. They provide non-dilutive funding, essential mentorship, and vital brand exposure without the stringent requirements of traditional financing.
Robust SME development competitions can provide solutions to issues in key areas such as:
Funding Barriers
Access to finance is consistently the greatest barrier to SME growth. Traditional lenders and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) require strict compliance, making it difficult for early-stage or vulnerable businesses to qualify. Competitions provide non-dilutive capital and grants, offering immediate liquidity without requiring owners to give up equity.
Validation and Credibility
Winning or even participating in a reputable business competition serves as an external seal of approval. This validation helps SMEs build trust with future investors and potential customers and suppliers.
Mentorship and Skills Development
SMEs often lack access to executive-level guidance. Development competitions pair founders with seasoned industry experts, investors, and successful entrepreneurs. This hands-on guidance helps owners refine their business strategies, marketing, and financial planning.
Visibility and Access to Market
Competitions put SMEs on the map by exposing them to potential clients, corporate partners, and media coverage. For small businesses facing stiff competition from larger corporations with massive marketing budgets, this visibility is invaluable for acquiring market share and driving brand awareness.
Networking and Ecosystem Integration
Entrepreneurs connect with public sector leaders, private corporate partners, and the broader business community. These connections can lead to lucrative Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes, which are vital for integrating SMEs into larger regional and global value chains.
Pitch Refinement
To enter competitions, founders must thoroughly evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and financial data. Building and refining a pitch deck trains entrepreneurs to clearly articulate their value proposition.
Tips to Get Your SME Ready
To ensure that when you enter competitions, you are ready to take them on fully and comprehensively, use the following tips to get your business ready.
- Develop a strong, unique selling proposition (USP): Your concepts must solve an industry problem and prove real value, market appeal, and profitability.
- Focus on being agile: Ensure your business is agile so you can use its flexibility and speed to outmanoeuvre the competition.
- Leverage your community: South African SMEs thrive by localising their focus and building genuine trust—a great advantage when pitching local, market-ready ideas
“Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic growth, but turning an idea into a viable product is often one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face,” says Sim Manqina, Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Engen. “Through The Making Of, we are supporting entrepreneurs who are willing to solve problems, think commercially and build products and services that can create meaningful value in the market and economy.”
