The annual South African Future Trust Summit was a resounding success. Many entrepreneurs and stakeholders flocked to listen to speakers share relevant tips and advice, and to walk amongst the exhibiting businesses. After the two-day event, the winner of the ‘Big Pitch’ startup competition was announced, and excitement roared through the walls of the Sandton Convention Centre.
Oppenheimer Generation’s South African Future Trust, in collaboration with Standard Bank, brought together 186 exhibitors and nearly 2000 attendees, 27 speakers shared the stage and 1 million (over R17 million) was invested in the winner of the Big Pitch competition. This event has made its way into the hearts, minds and calendars of numerous entrepreneurs who want to move their business forward.
Winner of the Big Pitch
Startup Club ZA to take up the mantle to steer The Big Pitch alongside the South African Future Trust. The grand finale concluded on the afternoon of 6 November 2025 with the winner being announced as the grand finale of the country’s largest-ever startup pitch competition.
After months of regional qualifiers, over 500 applicants, and countless hours of mentorship and preparation, 10 exceptional finalists took to the stage on 5 November to pitch their disruptive ventures.
Parent Sense was announced as the winner.
The parenting app offers personalised parenting support ‘when and where you need it’. Founded by Meg Faure, an Occupational Therapist, her goal is to support parents by making parenting information accessible to everyone. The platform looks at information about how to soothe infants, manage sleep and feeding habits, and optimise the child’s development.
Exhibitors From Every Sphere
From the 186 exhibitors, many consisted of small business owners who were gaining awareness for their businesses and building relationships with potential clients and partners. These businesses consisted of everything from health care solutions like Ka-dah, to innovative food products like PujoPujo. Many clothing businesses, resellers, technology solutions and service businesses were also present.
In the infamous Startup Alley, sponsored by the Startup Club ZA, businesses such as Fintr, Kasi Money and Motion Ads also made an appearance.
World-class Speakers
The speakers at the 2025 edition of the South African Future Trust Summit were world-renowned.
Some of the international guests included Richard Mulholland, entrepreneur and author, and Grace Andrews, brand and marketing educator and creator-entrepreneur.
Local names included Godiragetse Mogajane, founder of Delivery Ka Speed, Katlego Maphai, founder of Yoco, Marko Stavrou, the founder of Genlink, and Imtiyaaz Riley, founder and CEO of Loop.
Across the two days, speakers shared their insights about the various industries where they built their knowledge. Each speaker aimed to communicate actionable insights that entrepreneurs could walk away with and implement in their businesses. This means the emphasis is not on speaking about their own experiences, but rather educating the audience to level up their own businesses.
Insights from the various panels offered multiple perspectives about key topics, ensuring that listeners heard both sides of every discussion.
A Message From the Sponsor
For this year’s event, SAFT partnered with Standard Bank. This was a logical choice because there is a deep alignment between the two institutions.
“The success of the SAFT Summit is a clear reflection of the meaningful impact these platforms create. At Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking, we are proud to have fulfilled our purpose of driving dialogue, building connections, and showcasing opportunities that empower SMEs,” says Jenine Zachar, Executive Head, Value Propositions and Client Experience at Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking. “Supporting entrepreneurs through events like the SAFT Summit is central to our commitment. SMEs remain the driving force behind Africa’s economic resilience and progress, and by enabling their growth, we contribute to sustainable development and shared affluence. This past week demonstrated our role in being part of the journey of the businesses we support, as they had the opportunity to showcase their work, build networks, and strengthen their presence in the market.
“A standout moment was awarding the Women in Business Award and R500 000 grand prize to Azowel Projects, a black women-owned enterprise transforming agriculture through hydroponic innovation and revitalisation of unused farming spaces.”
Events such as the South African Future Trust’s Summit allows businesses to become inspired but also keep up with industry trends and advancements. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for businesses to network, finding potential partners and building stronger ventures.
