Application Deadline: 12 June 2026

Enter your business into the pitching den at the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference.

10 pre-selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their promising business models to a panel of high-level thought leaders and business experts. The pitch will consist of a 3-minute elevator pitch followed by a 5-minute interactive Q&A session, where participants will receive valuable feedback on how to scale their businesses into market leaders.

To apply, complete the form below. Please note that if selected, you must attend in person, and all transportation and accommodation costs will be at your own expense.

The 3 Pitching Den winners from the three regions will each receive R50,000 and advance to pitch at the National Standard Bank Top Women Conference, taking place on 08–09 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Champion for 2026 will then be crowned at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards on 3 December, where the national winner will claim the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Trophy and an additional R100,000 cash prize.

The EmpowHER Development Series:

This 3-part live series is designed to build communities and provide entrepreneurs with access to networks. It will be held in Cape Town (25 June), KZN (23 July), and (Gauteng 21 August), with a virtual skills and training masterclass for participants in the lead-up to the pitching den.

Entrance criteria:

*1.First Name:(Required.)

*2.Last Name:(Required.)

*3.Company Name:(Required.)

*4.Job Title:(Required.)

*5.Work Email Address:(Required.)

*6.Mobile Number:(Required.)

*7.Where are you based? (City/Town; Province)(Required.)

*8.Years of operation:(Required.)

*9.Enter your VAT number:(Required.)

*10.What sector do you operate in?(Required.)

*11.How many people do you employ?(Required.)

*12.Tell us about your product / business in no more than 150 words. Make sure your answer is clear and concise and sets you apart from other applicants.(Required.)

*13.What is the biggest challenge you face in growing your business / commercialising your product?(Required.)

*14.How will your business look 5 years from now? (max 400 words)(Required.)

*15.Please motivate why you should be chosen to pitch at the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference in no more than 300 words:(Required.)

*16.Submit your CV:(Required.)

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*17.Submit your company profile:(Required.)

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*18.Submit your certificate of incorporation (if already incorporated):(Required.)

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*19.Please submit your annual turnover. Please note that your company needs to have a minimum of R1 000 000 annual turnover and maximum of R5 000 000.(Required.)

*20.Please submit a document that proves this turnover number. This can be a statement or signed declaration.(Required.)

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*21.Submit a video introduction of 2 minutes to introduce yourself (name, background), and your business (problem tackled, service/products, your expected social, economic, and environmental impact, size of the team, how you relate to the program, etc.) (Submit the link here/email it to sadeeqah.ely@topco.co.za. We recommend using WeTransfer).(Required.)

*Please take note of the below

Step 1: Submit your detailed application form along with your 2-minute video introduction.

Step 2: Should you be selected as a finalist you will be invited to attend an online workshop with all of the finalists to prep you for your pitch. You will also be sent your “pitch kit pack” which will include a pitch deck template (no more than 12 slides) that you will need to populate and pitch live at the conference. At the session you will learn how to deliver the perfect elevator pitch and how to make your pitch deck stand out from the rest as well as receive your pitch finalist social media badge.

Step 3: Pitch day at the 1-day EmpowHER Conference. You will present your pitch deck live to the judges and the audience in the form of a 3-minute elevator pitch with 5-minutes thereafter for judges to ask questions should they require any additional information. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced at the event.

Step 4: The 3 Pitching Den winners from the 3 regions will each win R50,000 and advance to pitch at the National Standard Bank Top Women Conference taking place on 08–09 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, with the 1st place winner from each region also progressing to the 23rd annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards on 3rd December 2026 in Johannesburg, where one overall winner will be crowned and take home the trophy and a R100,000 cash prize.