The highly anticipated 2026 edition of the Cape Town Business Summit & Expo will take place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at the prestigious Cape Town International Convention Center between 8.30am – 5pm, bringing together over 4,000 entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, SMEs and aspiring business owners from across South Africa and beyond.
Widely considered one of the fastest growing business networking platforms in the region, this year's summit will be held under the theme: “Growing Your Business in the Digital Age.” The program will focus on empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses to embrace digital transformation, innovation, collaboration and sustainable economic growth in an increasingly competitive global market.
The summit is establishing itself as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, enterprise development, job creation and meaningful economic partnerships – especially for emerging businesses seeking access to markets, guidance, funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
A highlight of this year's event will once again be the participation of globally respected entrepreneur, investor and business strategist Vusi Thembekwayo, who returns to the stage for the third consecutive time following overwhelming demand from previous attendees.
He will be joined by an impressive world-class speaker lineup:
- Alderman James Vos – Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Opportunities and Tourism, City of Cape Town
- luvuyo queen – Founder and CEO of Sil Ulutho Technologies
- Renée Redelinghuys – Managing Director of Heart FM
- jamie thurston wingard – Co-Founder and CEO of LOOP APP
- more manual – Head: SME Banking at Access Bank South Africa
- Hertz Kebaya – Founder and CEO: BU Technologies and Mind Expeditions
- John Peters – Chief Director: Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism
- Professor Eldrid Jordan – Executive Chairman: Eldrid Jordan Foundation
- tell me andiswa – Group Managing Executive: Nedbank Business and Commercial Banking
- Andrew Bourne – Regional Head of Southern Africa and Executive Director of SA: Zoho Corporation
- Dr. Nkosi Kumalo – General Manager: MTN-SA SME & Indirect Channel
Collectively, the panel represents a powerful convergence of expertise from the fields of technology, banking, media, telecommunications, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.
In a bold and exciting change to the programme, the organizers will launch the Opening Ceremony “Lion's Den” Contest – A dynamic entrepreneurial pitch platform like a globally recognized investment show shark Tank. Four to six randomly selected ticket holders will each be given 90 seconds to present an innovative business concept to an audience of approximately 1,500 delegates.
The winning entrepreneur, judged by both the expert panel and audience members, will receive an immediate cash investment prize R25,000 Towards the development of your business venture.
The summit will also include important additional opportunities for emerging businesses. Heart FM will contribute advertising airtime R250,000 Supporting innovative entrepreneurs and helping them scale their businesses to a wider audience. Meanwhile, Africa Community Media will provide advertising and editorial coverage worth over R200,000 to selected businesses attending the summit.
Reflecting the rapid growth of the event, organizers have doubled the size of the exhibition component by utilizing the entire CTICC Ballroom East and West – creating approximately 2,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to networking, collaboration, product demonstration and business engagement.
Limited exhibition workstations are available for entrepreneurs and SMEs wishing to showcase their products and services to a highly targeted audience of business-minded delegates and decision makers.
Tickets are selling fast and are available r695 through quick or through the official summit website Cape Town Business Summit and Expo.
Those who only intend to visit the Expo can get their visit free expo only tickets from quicket.co.za
Entrepreneurs, innovators and aspiring business owners are encouraged to secure their seats early and grow at one of South Africa's leading business networking and entrepreneurship development platforms.
For more information:
www.capetownbusinesssummit.co.za
Email: az.oc.efilfoelcyc@ofni