From ideas to enterprise: Mastercard Foundation Scholars take centre stage

Story: Chanél Blom. Photo: Je’nine May.

From renewable energy and digital solutions to healthcare and food production, entrepreneurial ambition was on full display as 12 Mastercard Foundation Scholars stepped into the spotlight to pitch their business ventures at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Graduate School of Business (GSB) on 8 October 2026.

For some, the ambition was to turn an idea into a business, while for others, it was an opportunity to take an existing venture to the next level. It was clear that all 12 Mastercard Foundation Scholars shared a common goal: to convince a panel of judges that their business ideas had the potential to grow into sustainable enterprises.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 Pitch Day marked an important milestone in their entrepreneurial journeys, bringing months of preparation, learning and mentorship to a head as participants strived for the opportunity to secure start-up or business expansion funding.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program-SEF 2.0 Pitch day — Mastercard Foundation Scholars, UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program staff and representatives from the UCT Bertha Centre at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 Pitch Day.

From the classroom to the pitch

Long before stepping in front of the judges, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars had been putting their entrepreneurial ideas to the test.

Through a structured development programme supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team and the UCT Bertha Centre, participants took part in boot camps, virtual engagements and mentorship sessions. They explored venture validation, business model development, budgeting, pitching techniques and seed-funding readiness.

The training challenged Mastercard Foundation Scholars to look beyond the excitement of a promising idea and consider what it would take to turn that idea into a viable business.

By the time Pitch Day arrived, the focus had shifted from learning how to build a business to demonstrating the viability and growth potential of their ventures.

With just minutes to make an impression, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars had to communicate their ideas clearly, demonstrate their potential and respond to questions from the judging panel.

Big ideas, bold ambitions

The diversity of the business ventures reflected the creativity and entrepreneurial interests of the participating Mastercard Foundation Scholars.

Emillie Albert presented Smart Coach, while Maryam Gqamane pitched TAMTAM Juices. Moserie Mukwena introduced Circuit Reach, and Kelvin Shiridzinomwa presented a venture focused on product design and 3D printing. Lwazi Simelane showcased Delivery Solutions, while Sphamandla Zungu presented Tlokwa Digital Solutions.

The second round of presentations featured Munashe Benhura’s Veyro, Jaspher Chifagume’s Heliora Renewable, Samuel Menbere’s Tena Integrated Fish-Chicken Production, Erick Ngesa’s Gateway Lifecare Modern Hospital, Robert Ruhangariyo’s RnH Fast Food Restaurant and Simbarashe Tanyanyiwa’s Integrated Engineering Solutions.

While their ventures spanned different industries, each Mastercard Foundation Scholar faced the same challenge: to present a compelling business case and demonstrate the potential of their proposed enterprise.

Beyond the prospect of securing funding, the Pitch Day offered valuable experience in communicating business ideas, defending assumptions and engaging with questions that entrepreneurs may encounter when seeking investment or support.

Beyond the pitch

The judging panel comprised Jean Alfeld of the UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team, alongside Jason van Staden, Sarah-Anne Alman, Nozipho Ngwabi and Kirsten Amsterdam from the UCT Bertha Centre.

The panel engaged the Mastercard Foundation Scholars on their business concepts, asking questions that encouraged them to consider the feasibility and potential of their ventures. Following the pitching process, a number of the Mastercard Foundation Scholar-led ventures may be recommended for seed funding through a competitive selection process.

In his welcoming address, Emeritus Professor Danie Visser, Interim Director of the UCT International Office, emphasised that the value of the initiative extends well beyond the prospect of starting a business.

“Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business. It is about identifying opportunities, solving challenges and using your skills, experiences and creativity to make a meaningful difference in your communities and beyond,” he said.

His message reflected the broader purpose of SEF 2.0: to nurture entrepreneurial thinking and equip Mastercard Foundation Scholars with the skills, confidence and practical experience to turn ideas into opportunities for positive change.

The journey doesn’t end here

As the afternoon drew to a close, Zinzi Nkalitshana, the Program Manager of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT, congratulated the participants on reaching this stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.

“It takes courage to put an idea forward, to challenge yourself to develop it into something meaningful and to stand before others to share your vision,” she said.

Nkalitshana reminded the Mastercard Foundation Scholars that while funding could provide an important boost to their businesses, the knowledge and experience gained throughout the entire programme were equally valuable.

Her closing message encouraged the Mastercard Foundation Scholars to see Pitch Day not as the finish line, but as another step towards realising their entrepreneurial ambitions.

For the 12 participants, the pitches may be over, but the work of turning their ideas into sustainable enterprises continues. Whether or not they secure funding, the experience has provided an opportunity to develop their ventures, strengthen their entrepreneurial skills and take another step towards creating businesses with the potential to make a meaningful difference.