The North-West University (NWU) Entrepreneurship Festival is strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the university by equipping students and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and support needed to transform ideas into viable business opportunities. Anchored by the flagship NWU Leopards’ Lair Business Competition, the festival brings together initiatives that promote entrepreneurial thinking, business development and the practical application of innovation.

Hosted by the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (bhive EDC) in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, the festival featured business-concept development bootcamps, an artificial intelligence (AI) workshop and the Pitch Your Business Competition. Together, these initiatives support the development of entrepreneurial capabilities and encourage the creation of sustainable enterprises and future employment opportunities.

Leopards’ Lair: A battle of the faculties for student entrepreneurs

The Leopards’ Lair Business Competition is the flagship student business-pitching competition of the university, challenging students to transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures. 

A collaborative initiative between the bhive EDC and Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS), the competition comprises two categories: Student Side-Hustles, which supports students in developing business ventures alongside their studies, and Knowledge-Based Start-ups, which encourages students to translate research, innovation and specialised knowledge into commercially viable opportunities. Together, the two categories showcase entrepreneurial talent across the NWU and provide a platform for students to explore business ownership, innovation and the commercial potential of their ideas.

Adding to the excitement is the Battle of the Faculties, which showcases entrepreneurial ideas from across the academic community of the NWU. Students compete to develop promising business ventures while representing their respective faculties, bringing a spirit of healthy competition to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the university.

The competition culminated on 8 October 2026, when student entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of industry experts who served as judges. The final event provided students with an opportunity to present their ventures, demonstrate the potential of their ideas and receive evaluation from experienced professionals.

In the Student Side-Hustles category, Samuel Khumalo from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences took first place with Mtungwa Gaming. His business aims to develop gaming and digital opportunity centres that use gaming as a gateway to education, digital skills development and entrepreneurship. By creating safe spaces and pathways to employment and economic participation, the initiative seeks to expand opportunities for township youth.

Shaun Tamane from the Faculty of Humanities was named first runner-up, while Juan Brits from the Faculty of Health Sciences secured the position of second runner-up.

In the Knowledge-Based Start-ups category, Corne Roberts from the Faculty of Engineering won first place with FireSense, an intelligent mobile application designed to support the efficient and rapid deployment and coordination of farmers and rural communities in combating wildfires. The venture illustrates how technology and innovation can be applied to address practical challenges facing rural communities.

Tshepo Mudau and Kagiso Pilane, both from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Beyond the competition itself, Leopards’ Lair offers participants opportunities to refine their business concepts, strengthen their pitching skills and receive mentorship and business-development support. For knowledge-based ventures, the competition also provides a platform to explore how research and innovation can be translated into commercial opportunities.

By encouraging students to see entrepreneurship as a viable pathway alongside traditional employment, Leopards’ Lair contributes to a culture of entrepreneurial thinking, business creation and future job opportunities.

Business-concept bootcamps strengthen entrepreneurial skills

The SWEEP Business Concept Bootcamps, held across all three NWU campuses on 7 October 2026, guided students through the process of developing and refining business concepts. The sessions focused on identifying customer needs, defining target markets, articulating unique selling propositions and determining the resources required to develop a business idea.

The bootcamps provided students with practical tools to assess business opportunities and build stronger foundations for potential ventures.

AI workshop explores digital opportunities for entrepreneurs

On 6 October 2026, South African entrepreneur Eugene van der Merwe presented “Starting an online business and using AI tools smartly” at the Vanderbijlpark Campus.
The workshop explored how digital platforms, artificial intelligence and automation can help entrepreneurs generate leads, improve sales and streamline business operations. It highlighted the potential of accessible digital technologies to support business growth and enable entrepreneurs to work more efficiently.

Dr Annelie Steenkamp of the bhive EDC emphasised that entrepreneurship requires more than a promising idea. Identifying genuine market needs, developing viable business concepts and communicating their value are essential steps towards building sustainable enterprises.

Pitch Your Business Competition supports emerging enterprises

The Pitch Your Business (PYB) Competition, presented by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and bhive EDC in collaboration with I Am Youth, Radio Pulpit and TBN Africa, supports established businesses and entrepreneurs developing prototype or pilot ventures.

Following a three-stage selection process, six finalists pitched their businesses at the grand finale on 8 October 2026. The competition offered substantial media exposure and business-development support to help participating enterprises advance their growth ambitions.

The winner received a Radio Pulpit media package valued at R500 000, while the runners-up received packages valued at R350 000 and R150 000 respectively. Each of the three prize recipients also received business incubation valued at R50 000, including evaluation, mentoring, coaching and training.

Building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem at the NWU

Through the Entrepreneurship Festival and its associated initiatives, the NWU continues to strengthen the connections between student innovation, practical business skills and enterprise development. By supporting students at different stages of the entrepreneurial journey, from exploring an initial idea to developing a business concept or pitching an emerging venture, the university contributes to an entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages innovation, sustainable business creation and future job opportunities.