ENTREPRENEURS

Participating in the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit, taking place on 28 May 2026 at Empowaworx House | 364 Pine Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg

2025 Speakers |

Project Team |

The core team are all passionate professionals that care deeply about making a sustainable impact

SIMPHIWE MASIZA

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

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

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

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

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 2026 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

Thabo Molefe: Programme and Partner Coordinator
+27 11 482 7256 / 7257 | +27 73 068 4655 I thabo@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 |

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 |

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 |

Thursday, 28 May2025

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. info@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.