Satellite club of The Rotary Club of Johannesburg
Satellite club of The Rotary Club of Johannesburg
The Smart Shark Pitch Competition invites youth aged 13 to 30 to submit a business concept and prepare to pitch their idea to the judging panel.
Finalists will present their business ideas on 10 October 2026 at The Ultimate Pitch Festival. The competition is designed not only to identify winners, but to assess every entrant and explore how Rotary BizEast and its partners can assist with future learning, development and business support.
Closing date: 25 September 2026 at midnight
Finals: 10 October 2026
Prizes: Over R40 000 in prizes to be won
Important: Non-cash sponsored prizes may not be exchanged for cash unless authorised by the sponsor.
We are looking for entrepreneurs, not perfect writers. We want to hear your ideas, your own words and your passion. A simple business plan, expressed in your own words, that demonstrates original thinking and a desire to improve your community is worth far more than a polished AI-generated document.
Individuals or teams aged 13 to 30. Teams nominate one spokesperson. Applicants under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian.
A completed entry application form and a business plan (handwritten or typed) in English, with community impact as part of the judging criteria.
Problem and customer understanding, business idea and practicality, entrepreneurial thinking and initiative, how the business makes money, growth potential and community impact.