ENTREPRENEURS
Participating in the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit, taking place on 30 May 2025 at The Forum, The Campus in Bryanston
Our Speakers |
Project Team |
The core team are all passionate professionals that care deeply about making a sustainable impact
SIMPHIWE MASIZA
Founder & Executive Producer
Simphiwe Masiza is the visionary Founder and CEO of Empowaworx and The Speakers Firm — two powerhouse brands at the forefront of South Africa’s integrated marketing, reputation leadership, and impact ecosystem. As the architect of groundbreaking platforms like EmpowaYouth, EmpowaWomen, EmpowaEntrepreneurs, EmpowaHim, EmpowaMen, and EmpowaHer, he is redefining how nations mobilize people, capital, and ideas for lasting transformation.
A sought-after international keynote speaker, author, and trailblazing entrepreneur, Simphiwe is known for turning vision into velocity. His platforms are not just events — they are movements that fuel opportunity, unlock capital, and champion inclusive growth.Armed with academic excellence from WITS, GIBS, and other top institutions, his expertise spans strategic planning, executive leadership, governance, organisational development, and reputation architecture. Simphiwe Masiza doesn’t just build brands — he engineers impact.
Sechaba Motsieloa
CREATIVE BUSINESS STRATEGIST
Sechaba is a creative business strategist with 25+ years of experience in brand and impact management. He has held senior leadership roles at McDonald’s South Africa, Magna Carta, Lurco, The DaVinci Institute, the Marketing Association of South Africa, and KANSY Group. Known for his strategic insight and human-centered leadership, Sechaba leverages his expertise in strategic communications to advance organizational goals effectively.
MBALI MAVUSO
EVENT MANAGER
Mbali holds a media studies Diploma specialising in Marketing. Her experience includes cost-effective budgeting, exceptional time management and event marketing skills. Mbali is able to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy, and she is the events lead for EmpowaEntrepreneurs, EmpowaWomen, EmpowaMen, and EmpowaYouth Industry summits at Empowaworx, contributing to the seamless execution of these vital platforms.
ANITA TIRKEY
SPEAKER MANAGER
Anita holds an MBA and is a professional with extensive experience in event coordination and supplier evaluation. She is a skilled Cross-Functional Business Specialist. Anita possesses the expertise to seamlessly bridge different facets of a business, ensuring harmonious operations and collaborative synergy. At Empowaworx, Anita specialises in seamless speaker confirmation and event execution, playing a vital role in the organization’s success.
Simphiwe Majola
Senior PR and Influencer Marketing Specialist
Majola is a PR powerhouse with a 20-year career and an unmatched reputation in the industry. Known for his exceptional relationships with media outlets, Majola has worked with brands like Fenty Beauty SA, Castle Lite, and Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. His strategic expertise drives impactful campaigns, solidifying Empowaworx’s leadership in PR and influencer marketing.
The EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit is a powerhouse initiative by Empowaworx — South Africa’s leading integrated marketing and impact agency. We don’t just do marketing — we engineer influence. Our specialised offerings span Strategic PR & Reputation Management, Digital Strategy & Execution, Branding, Creative Design, Activations, Campaign Development, and Integrated Marketing Communications — all designed to deliver real results. At Empowaworx, we build nation-shaping ecosystems. Our platforms — EmpowaYouth, EmpowaEntrepreneurs, EmpowaWomen, EmpowaHer, EmpowaHim, and EmpowaPersonal Finance — tackle South Africa’s most pressing social and economic challenges head-on. We don’t follow trends — we set them. Our sister brand, The Speakers Firm — Exceptional. Relevant. Credible www.thespeakersfirm.co.za — gives you direct access to world-class keynote speakers, iconic CEOs, industry disruptors, and entertainers. Whether it’s year-end galas, graduations, strategy sessions, or launch events — we bring the voices that shift rooms and shape outcomes.
ATTENTION ENTREPRENEURS |
Please note:
Participation in the programme does not guarantee a pitching slot. Only businesses that meet the stringent criteria set by our partner funders will be selected to pitch at the summit.
Pitching is just one part of a much larger, high-impact experience. The EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit offers a powerhouse agenda — from trend-setting insight sessions and strategic funding masterclasses to deep-dive workshops and elite networking with funders, dealmakers, and peers.
Pitch or not — you’ll be at the epicenter of capital flow, strategic deal-making, and the rise of Africa’s next business powerhouses.This is more than a seat at the table. It’s your springboard to scale, visibility, and lasting impact. Come ready to claim your ground.
EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit Registration
Calling All Ecosystem Builders, innovation Hubs, Accelerators, Funders & Growth-Stage Entrepreneurs |
The EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit 2025 is Africa’s most powerful capital convening — where founders meet funders, and deals redefine destinies. While any entrepreneur may purchase a ticket to attend this catalytic gathering, only vetted, high-growth businesses will be shortlisted for the prestigious EmpowaEntrepreneurs Pitching Festival. If you’re nurturing a pipeline of bold, investment-ready entrepreneurs — this is the moment to activate them. Register now or secure your tickets by contacting:
Carshiefa Sissing : Project Coordinator – Empowaworx
+27 11 482 7256 / 7257 | +27 84 862 3213 I carshiefa@empowaworx.co.za
2024 Speakers |
AFRICA’S PREMIER FUNDING PLATFORM
Where Vetted Entrepreneurs Meet High-Impact Capital
Because you’re not just building a business — you’re building a legacy. If you’re an entrepreneur in the early growth or expansion phase — fearless, relentless, and unapologetically bold — this summit was made for you. You thrive on challenge, see risk as fuel, and aren’t waiting for opportunity — you’re creating it. If you’re ready to scale, secure capital, and dominate your next chapter — the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit is where your breakthrough begins.
Experiences |
Command Capital. Drive Your Next Leap. The Funding Corner – Powered by Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP):
This is not a queue. It’s your fast lane to funding. Secure an exclusive 5-minute power session with funders who matter — VCs, DFIs, and ESD decision-makers ready to engage. Cut through the noise, get tailored insights, and unlock the capital blueprint for your next big move. No pitch decks. No delays. Just doors opening.
WOMEN ONLY – THE DEALMAKER ROOM
An exclusive, no-holds-barred space for trailblazing women entrepreneurs and funders who invest in women. This boardroom is where bold ideas meet bold capital — designed for high-level engagement, strategic funding conversations, and deal flow driven by women, for women. Focused. Fierce. Funded.
LEGAL & FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE ZONE
Step into the room with top-tier legal and financial experts who turn complexity into clarity and risk into reward. From untangling contracts and navigating compliance to building bulletproof financial strategies — this is where your toughest challenges meet decisive solutions. It’s not just support. It’s your armour, your playbook, and your launchpad to exponential growth. Walk in with questions. Walk out with power.
FUNDING APPLICATION CLINICS – FROM PAPER TO PAYOUT
No more guesswork. These high-impact, hands-on clinics are built to walk entrepreneurs through every step of the funding application process — from crafting bankable proposals to submitting winning applications. Get expert guidance, insider tips, and real-time support to move from intent to approval. This is where your funding journey gets real.
INDUSTRY NETWORKING PREMIUM EXHIBITIONS – WHERE DEALS ARE FORGED AND FUTURES ARE FUNDED
This is more than an exhibition — it’s a high-stakes arena for industry disruptors and capital movers. From Fintech to Green Energy, Health & Wellness and beyond, each sector-specific zone is engineered for catalytic connections, bold collaborations, and investment-ready conversations. These aren’t just stands — they’re power stages where vision meets capital and partnerships redefine the game. Show up ready. Leave with momentum.
Entrepreneurial Odyssey – Hard-Earned Lessons and Game-Changing Insights from the Journey
Step into the unfiltered journey of entrepreneurship — the highs, the hurdles, and the hard-earned wisdom that shapes true business champions. This isn’t just inspiration; it’s a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and the mindset it takes to win.
Masterclasses & High-Impact Engagements |
This is where access meets acceleration. Delegates will unlock one-on-one sessions with top fund managers, gain strategic insights through powerful masterclasses, and connect with a network of high-calibre entrepreneurs, funders, and industry trailblazers. Every moment is engineered for visibility, funding, and game-changing growth.
From Pitch to Portfolio: Decoding the Investor’s Checklist for Scalable African Ventures
Interactive Masterclass with Leading Angel Investors & VCs
Step into the decision-making seat and uncover what truly matters to funders. From pitch strength to traction, valuation to team dynamics — learn the critical green lights, red flags, and deal-breakers that determine whether a venture gets backed or passed over.
Beyond the Capital: Designing Inclusive, High-Impact Investment Ecosystems
ESD Investment Leaders
Unpack bold strategies for building pipelines of investor-ready businesses through inclusive funding models, supplier development, and ecosystem transformation. Learn how to embed equity, scale, and sustainability into every layer of your investment approach — and unlock long-term value that transcends the cheque.
Bankable Business Plans – Crafting Investment-Ready Narratives That Command Capital
Learn how to build business plans that don’t just inform — they ignite action. From sharp storytelling to financial precision, discover how to position your venture as an unmissable opportunity funder can’t afford to overlook. This is where visionary thinking is transformed into fundable strategy.
From Idea to Investment – Mastering the Business Funding Journey
Turn bold ideas into funded realities. This power session breaks down the full financing journey — from refining your concept to securing serious capital. Master the strategies, frameworks, and funder mindsets that transform ambition into investment. This isn’t theory — it’s your launch plan.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS |
Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) Stage
Theme: Enterprise & Supplier Development Capital Unlocked
From compliance to capital — this stage brings fund managers, procurement giants, and ESD leaders into the spotlight to reveal what it really takes to unlock billions in supply chain funding.
Loan Financing Stage
Theme: Loan Capital Unlocked – Financing Growth at Scale
Bankable doesn’t mean basic. This is where financial institutions unpack the loan instruments, deal structures, and credit frameworks powering scalable African ventures.
The Women’s Fund Room
Theme: Bold Women. Smart Capital. Real Deals.
Not just a seat at the table — a whole capital room. This is the boardroom where powerful women founders meet funders who are betting on brilliance, scale, and returns with gender equity at the core.
Impact Funds Stage
Theme: Impact Funding Unlocked – Where Purpose Powers Profit
Forget charity. This is capital that expects performance. Impact fund leaders reveal how they’re backing ventures that deliver both profit and measurable purpose — with no compromises.
Private Equity Stage
Theme: Private Equity Unplugged – The Deal Room Live
Inside the vault. Private equity powerhouses open up about what makes them move: market size, governance, and game-changing returns. If your business is scaling — this is your playbook.
Venture Capital Stage
Theme: Venture Capital Unfiltered – The Founders & Funders Room
No pitch decks. No filters. Just raw, real talk from VCs and startup pioneers on what it takes to raise capital, grow fast, and become the continent’s next unicorn.
Development Finance Institution (DFI) Stage
Theme: DFI Capital in Action – Structured Funding for Scalable Impact
DFIs don’t fund potential — they fund power. Learn what it takes to access mission-driven, structured capital that fuels long-term growth, job creation, and national development goals.
Get Connected | Get Funded
FOR PARTNERSHIP ENQUIRIES, CONTACT:
Thulisa Sosibo: Executive Lead – Special Programmes
E-mail: thulisa@empowaworx.co.za | Tel: 011 482 7256/7257 | Cell: 083 671 5043
EMPOWAWORX HOUSE
364 Pine Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg, 2196
Audience & Reach:
Where Influence Meets Investment
This is not a crowd — it’s a curated ecosystem of power, capital, and opportunity
High-Impact Entrepreneurs
From township disruptors to tech innovators — investment-ready, vetted, and poised for scale.
Strategic Funders & Procurement Decision-Makers
DFIs, venture capitalists, angel investors, ESD leaders, and corporate supply chain executives with capital to deploy.
Ecosystem Architects
Public and private sector leaders, accelerators, policymakers, and enterprise enablers shaping the future of inclusive growth.
National Visibility at Scale
Live-streamed broadcasts, national print and digital coverage, and premium storytelling through the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Impact Documentary.
Post-Event Pipeline Reporting & ROI Intelligence
Track the deals, measure the outcomes, and stay connected to the entrepreneurs, startups, and innovations you engage.
This isn’t reach. This is real influence — measured in capital deployed, businesses scaled, and ecosystems transformed.
Get Connected | Get Funded
FOR PARTNERSHIP ENQUIRIES, CONTACT:
Thulisa Sosibo: Executive Lead – Special Programmes
E-mail: thulisa@empowaworx.co.za | Tel: 011 482 7256/7257 | Cell: 083 671 5043
EMPOWAWORX HOUSE
364 Pine Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg, 2196
EmpowaEntrepreneurs Pitching Festival Process & Guidelines — strictly for vetted and selected entrepreneurs and funders.
This document is your roadmap to the pitch stage. Please download and review in full. Add the link for the attached document
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ENTREPRENEURS |
No Registration. No Pitch. Only entrepreneurs who have completed their official registration will be eligible for selection. Let’s be crystal clear — attending the Summit does NOT guarantee a pitching slot. Final selections will be made strictly by the funders and EmpowaWorx, from the database of registered entrepreneurs. Their decision is final and non-negotiable.
Register now to avoid disappointment. Limited spaces available — don’t miss your shot.
EXCLUSIVE INVITATION
LIMITED SEATS FOR FUNDERS ONLY
EmpowaEntrepreneurs Pitching Festival |
Monday, 2 June 2025
Be part of a high-stakes, high-impact platform where Africa’s boldest and most bankable entrepreneurs pitch live to a room filled with top-tier investors, funders, and capital decision-makers.
This is not just an event — it’s Africa’s premier capital convergence. A powerhouse gathering of venture capitalists, angel investors, DFIs, gender-lens and impact funds, and ESD leaders — all laser-focused on one bold mission: to unleash catalytic capital and back the next generation of continent-shaping entrepreneurs.
This is where deals are born, legacies are built, and the future gets funded.
Important Notice:
Seats are extremely limited, and access is by invitation and approval only. Submission of your registration does not guarantee entry. Final selection rests solely with the host — our decision is final, exclusive, and non-negotiable. dragons@empowaentrepreneurs.co..za |
+27 11 482 7256/7257
This is not a guest list. It’s a power list. Make sure you belong on it.
Media |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
AFRICA’S PREMIER FUNDING PLATFORM RETURNS: EMPOWAENTREPRENEURS FUNDING SUMMIT 2025 TO MOBILISE BILLIONS AND BACK AFRICA’S NEXT POWER PLAYERS
Johannesburg, South Africa – Monday, 12 May 2025
Africa’s capital moment is here — and it’s moving fast. On Friday, 30 May 2025, the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit 2025 takes over The Forum | The Campus, Bryanston, Johannesburg, calling together the continent’s top funders, entrepreneurs, and capital architects for a full day of high stakes dealmaking, strategic networking, and bold economic transformation.
This is not a typical summit. This is the engine room of Africa’s entrepreneurial future — where real capital meets real readiness. Where the conversation shifts from access to action.
The event will culminate in the EmpowaEntrepreneurs “Dragons’ Den” Pitching Festival on Monday, 2 June 2025 — an invitation-only platform where 50 vetted entrepreneurs will pitch live to decision-makers, capital allocators, and funders who are ready to deploy.
“This is not just a summit — it’s a capital movement. We’re not talking about access, we’re engineering it. The entrepreneurs in these rooms are building Africa’s future — and we’re putting the capital behind them,”
says Simphiwe Masiza, Founder and Executive Producer of EmpowaEntrepreneurs.
What to Expect:
- 7 Curated Capital Stages:
Women’s Fund Room, ESD Capital Unlocked, Impact Funds Stage, Loan Financing Arena, Private Equity Deal Room, Venture Capital Unfiltered, and the DFI Capital Corridor - Headline Keynotes | Boardroom Panels | Capital Masterclasses
- The Dragons’ Den Pitching Festival:
50 high-impact founders. 5 capital stages. Zero fluff. Real deals.
Why It Matters:
In 2024, EmpowaEntrepreneurs:
- Convened 850+ vetted entrepreneurs
- Unlocked access to over R500 billion in capital
- Partnered with 250+ funders, DFIs, VCs, corporates, and ecosystem leaders
This year, the platform scales even higher — bringing a sharper focus on enterprise growth, capital alignment, and deal velocity across the continent.
Event Snapshot
EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit 2025
The Forum | The Campus, Bryanston, Johannesburg
Friday, 30 May 2025 | 08h00 – 16h00
Dragons’ Den Pitching Festival – Monday, 2 June 2025 (Invitation Only)
Media Accreditation & Press Access
We invite all media houses to apply for official accreditation by Monday, 19 May 2025 to gain access to cover these game-changing events.
Accredited journalists will enjoy exclusive access to:
- One-on-one interviews with headline speakers and funders
- Press briefings and behind-the-scenes access
- Curated media moments designed for high-impact storytelling
To RSVP or apply for accreditation, contact:
Khanyisile Xayimpi
Public Relations & Media Administrator
Tel: +27 11 482 7256/7257
Mobile: +27 72 490 9280
Email: khanyisile@empowaworx.co.za
About EmpowaEntrepreneurs
Powered by EmpowaWorx, the EmpowaEntrepreneurs platform is Africa’s most results-driven funding ecosystem — connecting bold founders to capital, corporate partnerships, and growth opportunities. It exists to shift the power dynamic from potential to performance — and to ensure that capital moves where it matters most.