The summit featured 19 speakers who brought insights from their fields — including venture capital, bootstrapping, agricultural funding, debt finance and alternative financing models. Notable voices include Darlene Menzies, Sheldon Tatchell, Jameel Khan and others, says SME South Africa.

"We are excited about the wonderful feedback we've received," says Velly Bosega, CEO of Oak Ventures (SME South Africa). "I'm proud of my team for bringing this vision to life and for their dedication to serving our audience and clients."

Major Commitment: Inclusive Justice Institute Partnership

The platform says a headline announcement came from Litha Kutta, Head of Development Partnership at the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank), who spotlighted the launch of Woolworths' Inclusive Justice Institute — an initiative designed to tackle food security, education and MSME development in South Africa. 

In total, R300-million has been committed to the Institute, with R200-million from Woolworths and R100-million from Land Bank, adds SME South Africa.

The Institute is home to two nonprofit arms: the Enterprise Inclusive Justice Institute (EIJI), which supports MSME mentorship and integration into Woolworths' supply chain, and the Community Inclusive Justice Institute (CIJI), which focuses on food security and basic education. SME South Africa says the partnership aims to transform South Africa's agricultural and retail supplier landscape, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and inclusive growth.

"This initiative is a practical demonstration of how a leading retailer may empower small enterprises," says Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni. "Woolworths has a partner in us."

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Access and Education

With the support of silver sponsor FNB and bronze sponsors SMEgo and Fund the People, the event underscored SME South Africa's core mission: to make applying for funding accessible and transparent for all South African entrepreneurs. The Funding Summit served as a practical, informative space for entrepreneurs to build funding readiness and gain clarity on where and how to seek capital, says the platform.

"We understand how vital funding is to SME growth. Without access to finance, entrepreneurs struggle to succeed, which limits their ability to create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economy," adds Bosega.

A Successful Start and a Look Ahead

Many attendees praised the summit for its organisation and value. "We're setting our sights even higher for next year," concludes Bosega. "This is only the beginning of what we aim to build for the SME ecosystem."

For more information, visit www.smesouthafrica.co.za. You can also follow SME South Africa on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor