The Takealot Group has launched a 10-week accelerator aimed at helping South African manufacturers turn established products into scalable businesses, with the top three participants set to share R1.7m in prize money.
The 2026 Takealot TIA Local Innovation Challenge, known as Made Local, is being n in parrutnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and is aimed at existing Takealot sellers that manufacture selected consumer products locally.
The programme will select 20 entrepreneurs for training, mentorship and practical e-commerce experience, with participants given an opportunity to grow their sales and reach consumers through Takealot Marketplace.
Unlike a traditional business competition, the winners will be determined partly by business performance during the challenge. Sales generated through Takealot, customer product ratings, and participation and performance throughout the accelerator will contribute to the final outcome.
The winner will receive R1m, with R500,000 going to the runner-up and R200,000 to the third-place finisher.
Takealot Group CEO Frederick Zietsman said the programme is intended to address the gap between developing a product and building a scalable business around it.
The challenge is open to SMEs that have been operating for more than a year, are existing Takealot sellers and manufacture eligible consumer products locally.
Applications opened on 9 September and close on 20 September 2026. To enter, entrepreneurs should visit https://www.takealot.com/takealot-made-local-challenge.
