eKasiLabs Mabopane Pitching Session for Business Incubation – Call for Township Entrepreneurs.
The Innovation Hub’s eKasiLabs Mabopane is inviting township-based entrepreneurs to a pitching session for business incubation focused on high‑growth and priority sectors. This opportunity targets innovators with businesses in the Green, Bio and Digital Economy, as well as sectors such as Construction, Mining, Financial Services, Cultural & Creative Industries, Fashion & Beauty, Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Tourism, Food and Energy.
The pitching session will take place on 18 February 2026, from 10h00 to 13h00, at eKasiLabs Mabopane, Mabopane Skills Centre, Unit B, with applications closing on 13 February 2026 (application forms are available directly from eKasiLabs Mabopane).
eKasiLabs is an extension of The Innovation Hub’s incubation services into Gauteng’s townships, operating a network of micro‑innovation hubs across the province to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Facilities are located in Mohlakeng, Sebokeng, Garankuwa, Soweto, Tembisa, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Kagiso, Kathorus and Mabopane, offering co‑creation spaces, hotdesking, training rooms, boardrooms and fabrication labs for prototyping and product development. Through its skills and enterprise development programmes, eKasiLabs provides business development support, technical and non‑technical mentoring, commercialisation and market access support, IP and legal advisory, access to finance, and access to fabrication laboratories, with a specific focus on township-based entrepreneurs whose innovations can positively impact business, government and civil society.
Eligible countries
This is a provincial, location‑specific opportunity:
- Eligible country: South Africa
- Geographic focus: Entrepreneurs based in Gauteng townships, specifically those able to participate at eKasiLabs Mabopane.
Host / implementing organisation:
- The Innovation Hub (Gauteng’s innovation agency)
- eKasiLabs (an Innovation Hub programme), supported by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA).
Date & time of pitching session:
- 18 February 2026
- 10h00 – 13h00
Venue:
- eKasiLabs Mabopane, Mabopane Skills Centre, Unit B, Gauteng, South Africa.
Application deadline:
- 13 February 2026 (applications via forms collected from eKasiLabs Mabopane).
Focus sectors
The call is open to entrepreneurs with innovative businesses in:
- Green economy
- Bio‑economy
- Digital economy
- High‑growth priority sectors, including:
- Construction
- Mining
- Financial services
- Cultural & creative industries
- Fashion & beauty
- Manufacturing
- Transport & logistics
- Tourism
- Food
- Energy
Solutions should be innovative, growth‑oriented and relevant to township and broader market needs.
Support offered through eKasiLabs
Entrepreneurs selected into the eKasiLabs incubation and development programmes can access:
- Business development support
- Assistance with business planning, strategy, operations and market development.
- Mentoring and coaching
- Both technical and non‑technical mentoring, including guidance from experienced business and sector experts.
- Commercialisation and market access support
- Help to access markets, refine offerings and connect with potential customers and partners.
- Value‑added services
- Advisory support on intellectual property (IP) and other legal issues relevant to start‑ups and SMEs.
- Co‑creation and working facilities
- Hotdesking, training facilities and professional boardrooms that entrepreneurs can use for meetings, training and day‑to‑day operations.
- Access to financial support
- Linkages to relevant funding and finance instruments facilitated by The Innovation Hub and partners.
- Fabrication laboratory (FabLab)
- Access to a fabrication lab for prototyping and developing physical products, supporting innovation in manufacturing, hardware and related sectors.
The programme’s overarching goal is to grow township‑based enterprises, support innovation‑driven solutions, and contribute to Gauteng’s township economy revitalisation and re‑industrialisation agenda.
Eligibility / ideal applicants
While the call notice does not list detailed eligibility criteria, it is clearly focused on:
- Entrepreneurs based in Gauteng townships (with emphasis on those who can attend and be supported from Mabopane).
- Businesses operating in the Green, Bio and Digital Economy, plus the other listed high‑growth sectors.
- Ventures with innovative solutions that can positively influence business, government and civil society, and show potential for growth and job creation.
Application and contact details
How to apply:
- Collect and complete the application form from eKasiLabs Mabopane (Mabopane Skills Centre, Unit B).
- Submit by 13 February 2026.
RSVP / enquiries:
- Email: mlodi@theinnovationhub.com (for RSVPs and information on the pitching session).
Additional information:
- General info on The Innovation Hub’s business incubation programmes:
- General enquiry link (eKasiLabs / The Innovation Hub):
Founders running innovative businesses in the Green, Bio and Digital Economy.
Entrepreneurs in high‑growth sectors: Construction, Mining, Financial Services, Cultural & Creative Industries, Fashion & Beauty, Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Tourism, Food and Energy.
Early‑stage and growing businesses seeking incubation support, market access, mentoring and links to finance through The Innovation Hub’s eKasiLabs programme.