Scaling Fintech in South Africa

How Lula and Stitch Did It: Scaling Fintech in SA + exclusive sidepanels

South Africa is a market that rewards those who truly understand it. The founders who win here aren’t just building great products, they are solving the right problems, shaped by deep local insight and a clear sense of what real impact looks like. In fintech, where access, trust, and usability are everything, scaling isn’t just about raising capital or writing good code. It’s about knowing your customer, navigating the system, and designing for the realities on the ground.

Two of SA’s most respected fintech entrepreneurs, Trevor Gosling (Co-Founder & CEO of Lula) and Kiaan Pillay (Co-Founder & CEO of Stitch), are leading this charge. Each building businesses that are not only scaling fast but also solving one of South Africa’s biggest economic challenges: access. Between the two of them they have raised over R3 billion in funding for SA fintech and are building companies that are fast becoming household names in their markets.

Both Lula and Stitch are fresh off major funding milestones:

Their journeys offer rare insight into what it actually takes to raise meaningful capital, win the trust of enterprise clients, and scale financial products in a tough market.

Join Renier Kriel from The Open Letter for an in-person panel discussion with Trevor and Kiaan as they share candid stories from their scaling journeys: the wins, the near misses, and the hard-won lessons along the way.

In the main conversation, we will unpack:

How Lula and Stitch navigated funding, product-market fit, and other hurdles.

What it really takes to build trust and credibility with enterprise clients and investors.

Where the next big fintech opportunities lie.

What founders often get wrong about scaling in this space.

Why local context matters, and how to design products that solve for South African realities first.

PLUS : Join one of our side panels on "raising funding in SA" and "early-stage venture building in SA", hosted by local market experts (more details announced soon).

Where? Innovation City Cape Town, Darter Road, Longkloof, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001

When? Thursday, 22 May

Time? 6-9 PM

Are you building, investing, or simply curious about what it really takes to scale fintech in South Africa? Then this conversation is for you.

Seats are limited. Join the conversation and connect with fellow builders shaping the future of tech in SA.

Light refreshments are provided.

EVENT ATTENDANCE

If you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP status using the link provided in your emailed ticket.

PARKING

Parking is available at the Lifestyle Centre in Kloof street on a first-come-first-serve basis, or in street parking bays as available in Kloof street and surrounds.

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