07 Apr Startup of the Year Is Back, in Partnership with The Open Letter
Every year, we get a clearer picture of what’s actually being built in South Africa.
Not in theory. Not in decks. In real businesses with real customers, real traction, and real pressure.
That’s what Startup of the Year has become at Innovation City; a filter for signal.
And in 2026, we’re expanding that signal. This year, we’re partnering with The Open Letter to bring more of the ecosystem into the process not just at the end, but from the very beginning!
What This Actually Is (And What It Isn’t)
Startup competitions are everywhere. This one is different.
We’re looking for businesses that are already in motion:
- a product in market
- customers using it
- revenue coming in
- a team building beyond the founder
Because the real question isn’t “Is this a good idea?” It’s “Is this working and can it scale?”
How It Works This Year
We’ve structured the process to reflect how startups are actually evaluated in the real world.
Round 1: Ecosystem Scoring (30%) A broader group of ecosystem players scores entries across key criteria. This isn’t just optics, it’s about credibility and diverse perspectives. We’re talking SA’s top investors, major innovative corporates and experienced, fast scaling founders that have done it before!
Round 2: Judge Evaluation (50%) A panel of four experienced judges conducts deeper scoring ahead of the final.
Final Pitch Night (20%) The Top 10 pitch live. This is where clarity, conviction, and pressure meet.
People’s Choice
Once the Top 10 is announced, the broader community gets a say. Voting opens ahead of the final and continues on the night, giving the audience a direct role in backing the startup they believe in!
What You Get If You Make the Top 10
This isn’t just exposure. It’s practical support.
- A pitching masterclass ahead of the final (Friday, 8 May)
- The opportunity to present in front of investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders
And for the winner:
- 1-year Innovation City membership – access to a high-density founder network and curated programming
- A 1-year The Founder Collab membership – a founder community by The Open Letter
- A UX/UI sprint from Now Boarding – focused product and design support where it matters most
And many more prizes loading…
What Kind of Startups We’re Looking For
Sectors Fintech, Medtech, Biotech, Healthtech, Agritech, Edutech, Greentech, Gaming, Web3, and Afrocentric Innovation.
Team At least two people.
Viability You have an established product or service in market.
Revenue You are generating monthly recurring revenue.
Location You have a South African address.
What Winning Actually Looks Like
The last few years tell a clear story.
- 2025: Botlhale AI Building African language technologies that make AI more accessible across the continent.
- 2024: AI Diagnostics Using AI-enabled tools to detect TB earlier and more affordably.
- 2023: Wamly Reworking how companies hire at scale through video interview infrastructure.
- 2022: Kena Health Taking on one of the most complex industries – healthcare – with a model designed for accessibility.
Different sectors. Different problems. Same underlying pattern: real problems, executed well, with traction behind them.
Key Dates
- Applications close: 27 April
- Top 10 announced: 7 May
- Final pitch night and Innovation City Awards: 14 May
Why This Matters
If you’re building in South Africa right now, you already know: The gap isn’t ideas; it’s execution, validation, and visibility. Startup of the Year sits at that intersection, giving the ecosystem a way to see what’s real, and gives founders a platform to show it.
Call for Entries
If you’re building something that’s already in the market, already generating revenue, and already solving a real problem, this is for you!
