City of Cape Town officially opens entries for the 10th #YouthStart Entrepreneurial Challenge. The event is for the young people with bold ideas.
New business ambitions are invited to apply for the 10th edition of the Challenge. It is a milestone year that brings even more value, skills and opportunities for participants.
Entries for the 2026 edition of the #YouthStart Entrepreneurial Challenge opens on Saturday, January 24, 2026 and will close on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
#YouthStart is one of the many ways the city is creating real opportunities for young people, supporting young entrepreneurs and innovators by providing access to skills development, mentorship and business support to kick-start their entrepreneurial ventures and help young people start and grow their businesses.
What’s New in 2026!
This year, all participants will complete the full training programme before the pitching rounds begin. This means every young person who is selected will walk away with:
- Valuable Skills,
- Knowledge, and
- Networks
Earlier, #YouthStart saw contestants competing weekly for a place in the next round. The new format ensures that everyone benefits from the learning experience, regardless of where they are placed in the competition.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that #YouthStart is about more than winning, it’s about unlocking potential.
It invites young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas or existing businesses to make use of this opportunity. At the end of the day, everyone wins, not just those in the top three, but every single young person who will be part of the training sessions.
So, throw your hat into the ring for knowledge, connections and networking opportunities that might be hard to attain otherwise, said Higham.
#YouthStart Timeline
- Entry deadline: February 24, 2026
- Skills training & mentorship: March to April 2026
- Pitching rounds: April to May 2026
- Awards ceremony: End of May 2026
How #YouthStart Works?
Applicants can enter with their existing businesses or new business ideas. They must be between the age of 18 and 35, should be a South African citizen residing in Cape Town and their business/idea should demonstrate potential for profitability and long-term sustainability.
Out of all, 150 participants will be selected from the online registration process and applications will be assessed on innovation, impact and sustainability potential.