Engen Pitch & Polish: Here’s your chance to shine

Attention entrepreneurs and start-up founders. Are you looking for an opportunity to take your business to the next level and gain nationwide exposure? Look no further than the Engen Pitch & Polish 2023 competition.

This competition is billed as South Africa’s longest-running pitching competition, and it’s back for another exciting year. Sixteen success-hungry entrepreneurs will have the chance to compete for a grand prize of R1 million, consisting of R650 000 in cash and a R350 000 bursary for a Raizcorp incubation programme. The second prize is R100 000 in cash and the third prize R50 000 in cash.

Engen general manager Khalid Latiff says, “South Africa’s economic future rests heavily on the quality of its entrepreneurs.” This competition provides the perfect opportunity to develop the necessary skills to become a confident, passionate, and successful businessperson.

With the competition being fully digital this year, weekly episodes will be released online between July and October, providing contestants with nationwide exposure.

Nedbank Executive Alan Shannon states, “Given the current challenge of the energy crisis and the impact it has on small businesses, our support is required even more. Drawing on our money expertise to do good, we are not only contributing to the growth and success of these businesses, but also helping to strengthen local economies and create long-term value for the businesses and the communities they serve.”

Pitch & Polish has made a transition from its original physical workshop format to its new digital format, with episode views exceeding 3.6 million in 2022. Last year’s winner, Luvo Gugwana of Green Arch Innovations in KwaZulu-Natal, says, “It’s a really great honour to be recognised by Pitch & Polish as the earnings will be significant for our enterprise.”

In 2023, Engen Pitch & Polish will provide selected contestants with a structured learning programme and their own business mentors from Raizcorp. Throughout the process, the entrepreneurs will be supported as they hone and improve their pitches. Even if you don’t take home one of the prizes, you will walk away equipped with valuable business knowledge and skills.

Entrepreneurs from all over South Africa who own a registered business or are a sole proprietor are invited to enter online at www.pitchandpolish.com. Entries close on 10 April 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level and gain valuable exposure. As Latiff says, “This is the real impact of Pitch & Polish.”

READ NEXT: Flat6Labs launches $95m fund for African tech start-ups