Teenage entrepreneurs shine through iAccelerate SA Competition Day
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
YOUNG entrepreneurs from around the Western Cape came together in the first edition of iAccelerate SA (iASA) to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and launch their first venture.
The high school teenagers participating in the four-month, fully-funded programme were exposed to established entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors and more for mentorship and guidance on their journeys.
The programme culminated in a final pitch day competition, where the young entrepreneurs excitedly pitched their ventures to a panel of judges and potential investors. The pitches reflected the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit proudly fostered under the leadership of Rayhaan Survé and the iASA team.
The iASA Competition Day included a networking lunch, which provided the students with an excellent opportunity to connect with investors and key players driving innovation in South Africa and concluded with the announcement of the competition winners.
Attendees witnessed young high school learners step up and deliver their pitches for their start-up businesses with a cool, calm and collected demeanour.
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The four startups included: Excelle Media, a social media agency aiming to amplify the voices of SMMEs and help them grow their online presence.
SlaéPure, an organic healthcare product geared towards tackling teen acne.
Ukukhanya Wellness Organisation seeks to address mental health issues in a way that blends Western therapy and African culture.
Upcycle Chiq, a sustainable fashion brand geared towards reducing textile waste by utilising recycled materials.
The Competition Day ended in a dramatic tie between SlaéPure and Upcycle Chiq. Second was Ukukhanya Wellness Organisation, and third place was Excelle Media.
The iAccelerate SA Competition is the culmination of the iAccelerate SA program, where our young entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and potential investors. These pitches reflect the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit we proudly foster.
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Start-ups Team Slaépure and Team Upcycle Chiq were announced joint winners of the iAccelerate SA Competition event held at Islamia. Competition Day is the culmination of the iAccelerate SA program, where our young entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and potential investors. These pitches reflect the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit we proudly foster.
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Shanti Adams, 15, who was part of the Upcycle Chiq team, said that the experience was challenging and new, but that it will benefit her throughout her whole life.
'I'm going to take what I learned here, progress my business, and take it to new heights. I am very proud of my team, my mom, and iAccelerate SA. I'd love to be here for future applicants and tell them that they should stick with the programme.'
Terry Babake, 17, said that at first it was stressful participating in the programme, but that it pushed her to new heights.
'Along the way, it started getting better, and these strangers became family. It was just a great experience.
'When I heard about the programme, and that it helps small entrepreneurs, that is when I wanted to come in. It was real. If I had never had this experience, I would think that starting a business was a quick or easy thing, but I'm glad for the iAccelerate SA programme, because it helped me overcome my fear,' Babake said.
'It's not every day that you speak in front of 150 people, and now I have the belief that I can do it.'
Athlone High School principal, Vincent Hendricks, one of the judges in the competition, said that he was blown away by their presentations.
'Their confidence and assertiveness levels have been encouraged and refreshing to witness. The youth are our future, and with so much disenchantment and unhappiness with politicians, it is up to us. We must help one another, and we must dig deep and encourage our young people.'
Competition Day for iAccelerate SA at the Islamia College Hall where 25 young entrepreneurial learners will compete for... Posted by IOL News on Saturday 26 July 2025
Beyond the competition, this event serves as a powerful gathering of young minds committed to driving economic and social impact through innovation.
Survé Philanthropies proudly sponsored this initiative and event as part of their broader mission to uplift communities and invest in human rights, education, health and social justice.
Rayhaan Survé, the deputy chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings (SIH) and the Survé Family Office, said that iAccelerate SA 2025 is just the beginning.
'We've been quietly working and planning towards how we can create a more comprehensive program, and how we can create something that is lasting across multiple different levels, and which extends to different parts of the country.
'I am very excited to announce that as a family, we'll be putting R10 million towards developing similar programs - investing in our students and investing in our communities to help grow entrepreneurship in South Africa.'
The pitches reflected the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit proudly fostered under the leadership of Rayhaan Survé (above) and the iASA team.
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Dr Iqbal Survé parting wisdom to some of the participants.
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Attendees keenly heard the young entrepreneurs excitedly pitched their ventures to a panel of judges and potential investors.
Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Survé said that while the iASA 2025 program was geared towards teenagers, they will be using the funds to develop two additional programs, one at the university level and another for young professionals.
Furthermore, the funds will also be used for grants, bursaries and direct investment into the students' projects.
The Survé Family also invited other investors keen on fostering young entrepreneurs to join them, as it is an investment in the spirit and unity of our society.
Survé added that the first cohort will be instrumental in taking the program to new heights. The first alumni of iASA will form part of the support team for the students who will follow them.
South Africa's entrepreneurial future looks bright, judging by the driven and intelligent leadership on display at the first iAccelerate SA Competition Day in Lansdowne, with the commitment from the Survé family to fostering entrepreneurship.
Loot sponsored tablets for the students. Other sponsors included UWC, Spur, Nando's, Lula and the Sakhikamva Foundation.
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