Interview With Kasi SME Summit 2025 Winner: Colin Mkosi

Interview With Kasi SME Summit 2025 Winner: Colin Mkosi. South African entrepreneur and founder of Cloudy Deliveries, Colin Mkosi has emerged as the first prize winner at the Kasi SME Summit 2025. Cloudy Deliveries is a township delivery service that does deliveries similar to uber eats except it uses bicycles to do deliveries for local restaurants and supermarkets. The Kasi SME Summit forms part of Standard Bank’s broader Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) strategy, which aims to support all majority black-owned SMEs with funding, skills development, and market access. We at StartUpMag had an interesting conversation with Colin to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, challenges, successes, and the influence of the Kasi SME Summit on his business. Check it out below!

What motivated you to start Cloudy Deliveries, and what gap in the market did you aim to fill?

I started Cloudy Deliveries because I saw that people in my community needed deliveries, but there was no local service to help them. Restaurants and shops couldn’t reach customers easily, so I created a bicycle delivery business to fill that gap and give young people jobs.

How did you navigate early challenges as a logistics entrepreneur in your community?

At first, I had no money or experience, but I used what I had — a bicycle, friends who believed in me, and community support. I talked to local shop owners, offered to deliver for them, and slowly
built trust and experience.

In what ways has the Kasi SME Summit helped refine your pitch or
business strategy?

The Summit helped me improve how I explain my business. I learned to speak clearly about our goals, numbers, and community impact. It also helped me focus more on digital tools and growing through partnerships.

Have you received mentorship or feedback at the Summit that changed how you run your business?

Yes, I got advice from mentors who showed me how to manage cash flow better, build stronger teams, and use data to track deliveries. That feedback helped me organize operations and plan better for growth.

How has participating in this national platform increased exposure for Cloudy Deliveries?

It gave us visibility across South Africa. People, companies, and media started noticing Cloudy Deliveries. We received messages from investors and partners who want to support us or collaborate.

Can you describe the most valuable lesson you learned from competing in the Summit?

The biggest lesson was that consistency matters more than perfection. Even when it’s tough, you keep showing up and improving your idea. Growth takes time and teamwork.

How do you plan to use the knowledge gained to grow your business in the next 12 months?

I’ll use what I learned to expand Cloudy Deliveries into new areas like Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, train more youth riders, and improve our WhatsApp ordering system to make deliveries faster and easier.

What impact do you hope Cloudy Deliveries will have on your local community?

I want to create jobs for young people, reduce crime by keeping youth active, and help local businesses reach more customers. I also want to keep promoting clean, bicycle-powered transport that’s good for the environment.

Did the Summit help you identify new markets or opportunities you hadn’t considered before?

Yes. I realized there’s a big need for medicine and grocery deliveries from clinics and shops. We can also partner with online stores that want to deliver faster in townships.

How has being a finalist motivated you personally and professionally?

It made me proud and gave me confidence that my idea is valuable. It also pushed me to dream bigger, lead better, and represent my community with pride.