That is the thinking behind Innovex 2026, a two-day summit taking place at Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg on 26–27 November 2026, bringing together more than 600 entrepreneurs and SMMEs to explore the industries, ideas and opportunities shaping the country’s next phase of growth.
Hosted by Brandscapers Africa, Innovex is built around a simple question: How can entrepreneurs position themselves early enough to participate in the industries that will shape tomorrow’s economy?
The summit focuses on four areas where new businesses, products, skills and markets are already emerging:
These are not distant ideas waiting for the future. They are already creating demand for new solutions and opening doors for businesses prepared to adapt, innovate and move early.
Innovex 2026 will bring entrepreneurs into the same space as industry leaders, institutions and organisations shaping these opportunities. The summit will feature Hon. Jane Sithole, Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, as keynote speaker, alongside MEC Vuyiswa Ramogopa, and Cllr Sheila Mabale-Huma, Executive Mayor of Rustenburg.
The broader programme is supported by organisations including Department of Small Business Development, Rand Water, Petco, CSIR, Proudly SA, Rustenburg Municipality to mention but a few.
But the real focus remains the entrepreneurs.
Across two days, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses, pitch ideas, engage with emerging industries, exchange knowledge and build connections that could lead to partnerships, new markets and growth.
Importantly, attendance is free, creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs and SMMEs to access conversations and networks that may otherwise be difficult to reach.
For entrepreneurs still testing an idea, businesses ready to scale, or SMMEs looking for their next growth opportunity, Innovex 2026 is designed to answer a practical question:
“Innovex is about moving beyond conversations about the future and creating a platform where entrepreneurs can better understand the opportunities emerging in South Africa’s changing economy, and position themselves to participate.”
As November approaches, Innovex 2026 is inviting South Africa’s entrepreneurial community to look beyond the industries that already exist and pay attention to those being built now.
