The Big Pitch 2025

Are you a founder building a bold, fundable startup in South Africa?

The Big Pitch, hosted by Startup Club ZA, is calling on early-stage entrepreneurs to step into the spotlight. This is your opportunity to pitch to a curated panel of angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders who are actively looking to invest in the next wave of South African innovation.

Held in Johannesburg and Cape Town, this event connects ambitious startups with the capital, exposure, and strategic partnerships needed to scale.

The Big Pitch is more than just a competition, it’s a platform for visibility, investor access, and real-world traction. Finalists will receive coaching, exposure to top-tier investors, and the chance to showcase their business in front of a live audience.

Locations and application windows: 

Johannesburg qualifier: 18 March – 8 April 2025

Capetown qualifier: 14 July – 30 July 2025

The program is open to:

• Early-stage startups registered in South Africa

• Founders with a clear value proposition, a scalable business model, and the ambition to grow

• Teams actively seeking pre-seed or seed-stage funding

Your startup should be:

• Solving a real, validated problem

• Positioned for growth in a sizable market

• Already launched or with a minimum viable product (MVP)

• Ready to pitch to investors and partners

Selected finalists will benefit from:

• The chance to pitch live in Johannesburg or Cape Town to a room full of investors, including active angels and VC firms

• Tailored coaching and mentoring to perfect your pitch

• Exposure through Startup Club ZA’s media and investor networks

• A unique opportunity to build strategic connections with fellow founders, ecosystem enablers, and potential backers

• Potential to walk away with investment interest or deal opportunities