Applications are currently open for the 2026 Business Partners Limited/SME Toolkit SA Business Plan Competition. Launched in 2009 and now in its 17th year, the competition is designed to support and empower young and aspiring business owners. It provides a platform for innovators who are either starting a new venture or seeking to expand an existing one.
Eligibility and Key Dates
• Target Audience: Young and aspiring business owners between the ages of 18 and 35.
• Application Deadline: 31 July 2026.
• Business Plan Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026.
• National Award Ceremony: March 2027.
Competition Phases
• Phase 1: All entrants are invited to attend a workshop in key locations including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Durban, and Cape Town. Additional workshops may be hosted in Polokwane, Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, East London, and other regions if more than 20 entries are received from those areas. Participants will learn to develop a business plan, create a marketing strategy, and manage cash flow solutions, while also having opportunities to network.
• Phase 2: Participants must submit a complete business plan by the specified deadline for judging. From these submissions, 10 finalists will be selected to advance to the final round, which includes interviews with a judging panel.
• Phase 3: The competition culminates with a national award ceremony held in Johannesburg to celebrate the finalists.
Prizes and Awards
• National Winner: Receives a mentorship voucher valued at R50,000 and a cash prize of R50,000.
• Runners-Up: Prizes are also available for the first and second runners-up.
For further details on the competition structure, eligibility criteria, and the application process, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official webpage of the Business Partners Limited/SME Toolkit SA Business Plan Competition.