Nedbank Pitch & Polish, one of South Africa’s most consistent engines of entrepreneurial growth, has opened entries for its 16th season alongside long-standing headline partner Nedbank. 

Over 15 seasons, the programme has supported entrepreneurs in refining their strategy, strengthening their systems and building more resilient businesses. What sets the programme apart is its proven ability to develop entrepreneurs through a deliberate blend of competition, one-on-one mentoring and entrepreneurial learning, where contestants engage in a battle of business pitches for their chance to win the R1-million prize package. In the process, they gain entrepreneurial skills and knowledge through intensive mentorship and commercial training delivered through Africa’s leading business incubator, Raizcorp. 

“We understand that today’s small businesses are navigating an increasingly complex landscape from adopting digital solutions at pace, to building resilience in a changing economic climate, and championing sustainability as a core part of growth,” Monique Chinnah, Senior Manager: Beyond Banking. “In 2026, access to the right tools, networks and capital can make all the difference between surviving and thriving. Our sponsorship of Pitch and Polish reflects our commitment to empowering South African entrepreneurs with more than funding. We’re investing in capability, confidence, connection and congruence. We are purposely supporting emerging founders to refine their ideas, sharpen their business models and unlock opportunities that will drive innovation, create jobs and strengthen communities.”

The programme unfolds across multiple elimination rounds and is released as a 16-episode online series, creating a public learning environment where viewers also gain practical insight into business fundamentals. Last season attracted over 10.5 million viewers, reflecting the growing national interest in entrepreneurship and practical business education.

The winner of this year’s Nedbank Pitch & Polish will receive R650 000 in cash and a R350 000 bursary for a two-year incubation programme with Raizcorp. Second and third place winners receive R100 000 and R50 000, respectively. 

Past success

Since winning Nedbank Pitch & Polish in 2023, Tshireletso Mokate, founder of Camping RetrEats, says the business has diversified its offering through the introduction of a Premium Deluxe product and a manufacturing stream for camping equipment and repairs. 

Although 2023 was one of the company’s highest revenue years, Mokate says the business faced significant operational pressure, including vehicle accidents, rising overheads and price increases that impacted their customer base. The introduction of the Premium offering, funded through the Nedbank Pitch & Polish prize money, proved critical, “Without it, the business would have been approximately R3-million down in turnover,” he says.

Since winning Pitch & Polish, Camping RetrEats has navigated revenue pressure and operational challenges by applying lessons from the programme. Product innovation and system-based efficiencies, including the introduction of a Premium Deluxe offering and manufacturing capabilities, says Mokate, helped stabilise income and support long-term sustainability.

As part of the prize investment, the business acquired a manufacturing operation and is now two years into producing camping tents and conducting repairs, lowering internal repair costs while creating an additional revenue stream. Camping RetrEats has also partnered with a leading car brand in South Africa and contributed to raising R4-million in revenue for the brand during a single activation weekend.

“Allon Raiz once said, ‘Often times when your business grows, your profit margins tend to diminish as well’. That has stuck out in my head since, and I’ve learnt that business is not necessarily a size or number of customers game, but also about offering deliberate value to your customers so that they see your service as essential. We have also been more systems-based and not knowledge-based, as systems can run a business better than experience from each employee.”

Reflecting on the programme, Mokate says one pivotal moment was being asked what he would do with a R20-million investment. “I realised I hadn’t thought that far as an entrepreneur – I needed to be R20-million ready.”

He believes Season 16 is best suited to entrepreneurs who are confident in their businesses, have tested their model, are ready to scale, and - most importantly - are teachable.

Developing businesses that last

As South Africa’s SMME sector continues to shoulder the responsibility of job creation and local economic participation, programmes that combine sponsorship with rigorous business development play a crucial role. 

“The programme was designed as a structured learning environment where entrepreneurs refine their thinking and systems to grow beyond founder dependence,” says Raizcorp CEO Allon Raiz. “The combination of mentorship through the programme as well as public accountability encourages participants to test their assumptions and confront weaknesses in their models for better decision-making.”