South African Startup Awards Open Entries Ahead of 30 October Deadline
South African Startup Awards Open Entries Ahead of 30 October Deadline. South African technology startups have until midday on 30 October 2026 to enter the fourth annual South African Startup Awards, which will recognise ventures across 12 categories, including artificial intelligence, fintech, climate and sustainability.
Organised by Startup Club ZA, the awards will announce their winners during a livestream from Cape Town on 18 November. Eligible startups may enter up to two categories.
To qualify, businesses must be technology startups less than five years old, have a majority presence in South Africa, be pre-Series A and have an active product in the market. Entrants must also generate revenue or demonstrate substantial user growth, although these two requirements do not apply to deeptech startups.
Public voting will take place from 2 to 6 November, helping determine category shortlists and giving the public an opportunity to engage with South Africa’s startup ecosystem. Up to five startups per category will advance to final judging. The startup receiving the most confirmed public votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.
A judging committee comprising more than 20 founders, investors and ecosystem leaders will assess finalists on innovation, scalability, traction, impact, team and short-term prospects. Its members include Karl Westwig of Retail Capital, Dinesh Patel of OrderIn, Paul Kent of Adumo, Jonathan Smit of Payfast and Matt Putman of iKhokha.
The 12 categories cover AI and Big Data, Deeptech, Climate and Sustainability, Consumertech, Digital Commerce, Edtech, Fintech, Future of Work, Healthtech, Informal Market, Mobility and Logistics, and People’s Choice.
Each category winner will receive a Startup of the Year title and trophy, an invitation to a winners’ dining experience in early 2027, and post-event coverage across national media.
Startup Club ZA founder Mathew Marsden said the awards provide a national platform for South African founders.
The in-person event will be invitation-only, while the public can register to watch the livestream.
Entries close at midday on Friday, 30 October. Applications are available at startupclubza.com/awards.
