Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Regional Conference - Cape Town 2026

The Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Development Series consists of a 3-part LIVE event series aimed at building communities and creating access to valuable networks for entrepreneurs. The series will take place in Cape Town (25 June 2026), KZN, and Gauteng, alongside a virtual skills and training masterclass series designed to equip participants ahead of the live events.

Reaching entrepreneurial women across South Africa, attendees can look forward to hearing first-hand from successful entrepreneurs, Standard Bank Top Women Award winners, and industry leaders. The Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Series seeks to empower women entrepreneurs with the skills, insights, and connections needed to build successful enterprises that contribute to South Africa’s economic growth. The series also provides entrepreneurs with access to experienced mentors and practical business-building knowledge to support their entrepreneurial journeys.

As part of the series, 10 pre-selected entrepreneurs from each region will have the opportunity to pitch their promising business models to a panel of high-level thought leaders and business experts. Each participant will deliver a 3-minute elevator pitch followed by a 5-minute interactive Q&A session, where they will receive valuable feedback and guidance on how to scale their businesses into market leaders.

The three regional Pitching Den winners will each receive R50,000 and advance to pitch at the National Standard BankTop Women Conference, taking place on 08–09 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Champion for 2026 will then be crowned at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards on 3 December 2026, where the national winner will receive the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Trophy along with an additional R100,000 cash prize.

Central to the regional conferences will be the 1-hour Fast Track Networking Sessions, created to meet the growing need for meaningful networking opportunities among entrepreneurs. Participants will have the opportunity to build valuable professional connections, generate business interest and partnerships, and gain practical insights by sharing challenges, experiences, and business-building tips with fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders.