SME Funding Summit 2026

SME Funding Summit 2026

SME Funding Summit is the premier funding event focused on delivering relevant funding advice and guidance to small to medium-sized enterprises from across the country.

The 2026 edition promises to be bigger and better, featuring more exhibitors, expert speakers, and actionable insights designed to educate, inspire, and help entrepreneurs become funding-ready.

Hosted in the heart of Gauteng, entrepreneurs from across South Africa gather to network, learn, and improve their chances of securing funding.

Event Topics

What you'll learn

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Diverse Funding Pathways

Beyond bank loans. Learn to navigate debt financing, equity, and government grants available in 2026.

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Compliance Foundations

Don't fail due diligence. Fix the hidden paperwork mistakes that cause 80% of SMEs to lose funding.

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Targeted Opportunities

Meet the specific VCs and institutional lenders actively deploying capital into your sector.

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Valuation Masterclass

Master the mathematical frameworks investors use to value your business before you pitch.

Speakers

Investors • Founders • VCs

Speakers 0010 speaker 10

Jameel Khan

Co-founder

Unconventional CA

Darlene Menzies

Darlene Menzies

CEO

Finfind

Speakers 0009 Jenna Sprenger

Jenna Sprenger

CA(SA)

Founder

Speakers 0008 Lerato Sebata

Lerato Sebata

CEO

ROI Group(Pty)Ltd

Speakers 0007 Lilah Clark

Lilah Clark

SME Development Manager

JSE

Litha Kutta, Head: Partnership Development and Ecosystem Coordination at Land Bank

Litha Kutta

Head Partnership Development and Ecosystem Coordination

Land Bank

Speakers 0005 Mapule Phathela

Mapule Phathela

Post-Investment Associate

IDF Capital

Speakers 0004 Mokgome Mogoba

Mokgome Mogoba

Founder & Managing Partner

Kholo Capital

Speakers 0003 Rinaldo Josie

Rinaldo Josie

Operations Executive

CA(SA)

Speakers 0002 Ruan Fourie

Ruan Fourie

CEO

Founder of AAA Consortium

Speakers 0001 Tshepo Mekoa

Tshepo Mekoa

Founder

Brima Logistics

Speakers 0000 Zibusiso Mkhwanazi

Zibusiso Mkhwanazi

Executive Chairman

M+N, CEO of Avatar X, and author

Agenda

Full-day programme

08:30

coffee

Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:30

Opening Keynote: The State of SME Funding in SA

Speaker: Darlene Menzies

10:30

Panel: Debt vs Equity — Choosing the Right Capital

Panel

Panelists: Elton Singh, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, Tshepo Mekoa

Moderated by: Jameel Khan

12:00

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Networking Lunch

13:00

Masterclass: Building an Investor-Ready Valuation

Speaker: Jameel Khan

14:30

Panel: Scaling Across African Markets

Panel

Panelists: Litha Kutta, Elton Singh, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi

Moderated by: Darlene Menzies

16:00

Fireside Chat: Lessons from Funded Founders

Speaker: Darlene Menzies, Jameel Khan

17:00

martini

Closing Remarks

VENUE & LOCATION

Heaton Lane Longlake 20, Modderfontein Lethabong, Sandton, 1609

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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Tickets from

R1,450

18 June 2026

8:00

- 5:00 SAST

Focus Rooms

Heaton Lane Longlake 20, Modderfontein Lethabong, Sandton, 1609