The Big Pitch Opportunity
Step Into the Spotlight, Founder
In April 2025, we launched ‘The Big Pitch 2025’ in partnership with The Startup Club ZA. We are seeking to invest $1 million in a tech business that would benefit from a partner who not only offers funding, but also strategic support and access to our extensive global resources.
There are two elimination rounds; the first took place in Johannesburg on 23 April. Your final opportunity to pitch for the $1 million investment is on 13 August in Cape Town. Businesses from across the country are welcome to apply. The top ten finalists will go through to the knockout stage on Day 1 (Tuesday, 28 October 2025) at the SA Future Trust Summit at Sandton Convention Centre. The top three finalists will get the opportunity to pitch to the judges on Day 2 of the Summit (Wednesday, 29 October 2025), with the winning business securing a $1 million investment.
Fund your Dream
Stand a chance to secure $1 million funding for your business (subject to due diligence).
Investor Connections
Pitch live to a select set of proven investors, and an audience of top-tier angels, VCs, and industry heavyweights.
Amplify Your Brand
Widespread visibility through SAFT campaigns, media, Startup Club ZA’s networks, and 3000+ live audience.
Road to $1,000,000.00
Stay updated with the competition timeline. Mark your calendar for the qualifiers and finale!
JHB Qualifier
Completed
From a pool of ~300 applicants, 10 world-class founders took the stage - hoping to secure a spot in the Grand Finale and the chance at a $1m investment.
After careful deliberation by our esteemed judges, we're excited to welcome back the these startups as they advance to the next round in October.
14 July – Applications Open
30 July – CPT Applications Close
4 August – CPT Selected Startups Notified
6 August – CPT Pitch Readiness Session
8 August – CPT Pitch Presentations Due
CPT Qualifier
Live Qualifier – 13 August
Pitch your Startup to secure your place in the finale!
Finale – 28 October
Top 10 Finale
Top 10 startups go head-to-head for a spot in the top three live at the SA Future Trust Summit. Limited tickets available. Secure yours now.
Grand Finale – 29 October
Top three Grand Finale
The top three startups compete for the ultimate title at SA Future Trust Summit Limited tickets available. Secure yours now. Winner announced at Summit close.
Road to $1,000,000.00
Stay updated with the competition timeline. Mark your calendar for the qualifiers and finale!
JHB Qualifier
CompletedFrom a pool of ~300 applicants, 10 world-class founders took the stage - hoping to secure a spot in the Grand Finale and the chance at a $1m investment. After careful deliberation by our esteemed judges, we're excited to welcome back the these startups as they advance to the next round in October.
14 July – Applications Open
30 July – CPT Applications Close
4 August – CPT Selected Startups Notified
6 August – CPT Pitch Readiness Session
8 August – CPT Pitch Presentations Due
CPT Qualifier
Live Qualifier – 13 AugustPitch your Startup to secure your place in the finale!
Finale – 28 October
Top 10 FinaleTop 10 startups go head-to-head for a spot in thetop three live at the SA Future Trust Summit. Limited tickets available. Secure yours now.
Grand Finale – 29 October
Top three Grand FinaleThe top three startups compete for the ultimate title at the SA Future Trust Summit. Limited tickets available. Secure yours now. Winner announced at Summit close.
Want to pitch your startup?
Find out how Startup Club ZA helps founders like you enter the spotlight and access game-changing opportunities.
Visit Startup Club ZA →Planning to attend the Summit?
Join us at the SA Future Trust Summit to watch the finalists live and be part of the energy that fuels South Africa’s startup ecosystem.
Get Tickets to the Summit →Meet the first 5 Qualifiers from JHB
These five exceptional entries have earned their spot in the finale through skill and creativity. Each entry showcases unique talent and innovative ideas that set them apart. Discover their stories and get inspired by their journeys.
Founders: Dean Smorenburg & Dominic Malan
Inspired by insects, Maltento creates clean, traceable, consistent, functional-plus nutrition solutions for the future. Our approach is regenerative: we minimise our impact on scarce natural resources and maximise the use of natural, traceable co-products from agroprocessing industries to restore the balance of our precious planet.
Founder: Ifthakaar Shaik
Vitruvian Medical Diagnostics is a medical technology company that develops low-cost, diagnostic assistance tools for medical laboratories. By combining biomedical engineering and state of the art AI, our mission is to make high quality healthcare services accessible to all people, regardless of income or geographical limitations.
Founder: Natalia Guida Giampietri
An energy tech startup that distributes clean cooking fuel (LPG) at a retail. By modernizing the traditional process of swapping empty bottles and reducing the cost of a full cylinder with refillable bottles, making the acquisition of LPG economical. Through cashless refilling stations and proprietary technology, their Pay As You Gas™ system accommodates customers, at any amount.
Founder: Eben de Jongh
IoT startup offering smart refill stations for household goods, reducing plastic and cost while promoting circular innovation. The Sonke team designs, manufactures and operates automated "refill" machines for consumer goods. Sonke refilling machines reduce cost by eliminating single-use plastics and driving bulk efficiencies.
Founder: Meg Faure
Science-based, real-world advice tailored specifically for your baby. Parent Sense is the easiest way to track your baby’s day. An app intuitively suggests a flexible routine with prompts for when it’s time for the next feed, sleep, or health check-up.