Attracting over 850 applications from township entrepreneurs across all nine provinces, the 2025 Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit culminated in a national showcase of South Africa’s brightest entrepreneurial talent. Now in its third year and expanded nationally for the first time, the Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge has become one of the country’s most dynamic platforms for township businesses. Cloudy Deliveries emerged as the overall winner, securing the top prize of R200, 000, at an awards event held on Wednesday, 27 August 2025 in Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

The full list of this year’s winners:

1. Cloudy Deliveries (Western Cape) – 1st Place – R200, 000

A township-based delivery service using bicycles to connect restaurants, supermarkets, and local businesses with customers, while also distributing promotional materials for community enterprises.

2. Ukuhamba (Gauteng) – 2nd Place – R100, 000

A 100% black youth- and women-owned healthcare tech company producing high-quality, affordable prosthetics, braces, and orthotics for amputees and persons with disabilities.

3. Keiskamma Hygiene Services and Projects (Eastern Cape) – 3rd Place – R80, 000

A cleaning and environmental services business offering pest control, gardening, deep cleaning, and mobile car wash services to both residential and commercial clients.

4. Ariel Robotics (KwaZulu-Natal) – 4th Place – R70, 000

An innovative drone technology company developing autonomous drones for inventory management and logistics, enhancing supply chain efficiency and warehouse operations.

5. Sky Drop (KwaZulu-Natal) – 5th Place – R50, 000

An eco-friendly water business producing potable water through atmospheric water generators, supplying clean and healthy drinking water to households, communities, and businesses.

To level the playing field and strengthen investment readiness, all contestants participated in a national pitch masterclass programme ahead of the finals, covering storytelling, financial fundamentals, go-to-market strategy, and investor Q&A. The Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge provides entrepreneurs with the platform to pitch, showcase their businesses, and unlock new avenues for growth.

“The courage, creativity and resilience demonstrated by this year’s entrepreneurs embody the future of inclusive growth in South Africa,” said Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa. “Through initiatives like this, we are helping township businesses to future-proof themselves, building the resilience needed to thrive.”

KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s second-largest regional economy, contributing approximately 16% to national GDP. Standard Bank’s decision to host the national finals in KZN reflects a deliberate commitment to harnessing the province’s economic potential by positioning township entrepreneurs at the centre of its growth story. For local businesses, this means greater visibility, stronger networks, and tangible opportunities to link into value chains, ensuring that the energy of KZN’s township economy is matched with real pathways for expansion and sustainability.

Following provincial rounds, the top two businesses from each province advanced to the national finals, bringing together 18 standout enterprises to compete for national honours and financial support. In recognition of their achievement, all 18 finalists also received free SimplyBLU machines, the bank’s all-in-one payment solution for SMEs, to help them digitise and scale their businesses. In addition, they will each receive a complimentary ticket to the South African Future Trust (SAFT) Summit on 5 and 6 November, where they will also have access to a dedicated pitch den to showcase their businesses to potential investors.

This year’s Challenge was delivered in partnership with SAFT, serving as a strategic partner committed to advancing entrepreneurship and inclusive growth. The Challenge was anchored in Standard Bank’s Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) strategy, which provides financial and non-financial support to black-owned SMEs. The ESD programme focuses on businesses that are at least 51% black-owned, have strong growth potential, and typically operate with an annual turnover of under R50 million.

“Township economies are a powerful driver of South Africa’s future. By scaling this Challenge nationally, we are creating broader access to opportunities that can spark growth, unlock jobs and transform communities, while also equipping businesses with the tools they need to start, manage and grow their enterprises sustainably, through digitally-enabled but human-led relationship management expertise”, concluded Mosomane.