Takealot Launches R1.7m Challenge for Local Manufacturers
Takealot Launches R1.7m Challenge for Local Manufacturers. Takealot has launched a 10-week accelerator aimed at helping South African manufacturers turn established products into scalable businesses, with R1.7 million in prize money available to the top three participants.
The 2026 Takealot TIA Local Innovation Challenge, known as Made Local, is being run in partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The programme targets existing Takealot sellers that manufacture selected consumer products locally.
Twenty entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in the accelerator, which will provide training, mentorship and practical e-commerce experience. Participants will also have an opportunity to grow their sales and reach consumers through the Takealot Marketplace.
The challenge will assess participants partly on their business performance during the programme. Sales generated through Takealot, customer product ratings, as well as participation and performance throughout the accelerator will contribute to the final outcome.
The winner will receive R1 million, while the runner-up will receive R500,000 and the third-place finisher will receive R200,000.
Takealot Group CEO Frederick Zietsman said the programme is intended to address the gap between developing a product and building a scalable business around it.
The challenge is open to SMEs that have been operating for more than a year, are existing Takealot sellers and manufacture eligible consumer products locally.
Applications opened on 9 September 2026 and close on 20 September 2026.
