Entries have opened for the 2026 South African Startup Awards, with South African technology startups having until midday on 30 October to apply for recognition across 12 categories.
The winners will be announced during a livestream from Cape Town on 18 November. The awards, organised by Startup Club ZA, are in their fourth year.
Eligible startups can enter up to two categories, ranging from fintech and artificial intelligence to climate and sustainability, mobility and logistics, and the informal market.
To qualify, ventures 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. They must also be generating revenue or demonstrating substantial user growth, although deeptech entrants are exempt from the last two requirements.
Public voting and judging
Public voting will run from 2 to 6 November, helping determine category shortlists and introducing the public to the country’s startup ecosystem. Up to five startups in each category will progress to final judging, while the startup with the most confirmed public votes will win the People’s Choice Award.
A judging committee of more than 20 founders, investors and ecosystem leaders will score finalists on innovation, scalability, traction, impact, team and short-term prospects.
The committee includes 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 are 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.
Recognition for winners
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.
The in-person awards event will be invitation-only, but members of the public can register to watch the livestream.
“The calibre of founders building in South Africa keeps rising, and they deserve a national stage that reflects that,” said Mathew Marsden, founder of Startup Club ZA.
The 2026 awards are presented in partnership with FNB South Africa, E Squared Investments, RMB, Canva Africa, Cloud On Demand, TransUnion, The Lekker Network, Origen Software, iVeri, Dommisse Attorneys, Finovate and MakeReign.
Entries close at midday on Friday, 30 October. Startups can enter at startupclubza.com/awards.
