Events

Host:Nelson Mandela Bay iHub

Innovation, enterprise development, and cross-border partnerships took the spotlight at the EU-Africa SME Summit 2025 in Johannesburg. The event brings together key players from both continents to explore sustainable SME growth and support for early-stage businesses. Darryl Dennis, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub, engaged with public and private leaders on the role of incubation in inclusive economic development, alongside SEDFA's Acting Executive for Incubation, Sipho Ngcai. Also present was Your Digital SA, an iHub-incubated startup, sharing insights on the challenges and opportunities for African enterprises in global markets. The iHub’s participation underscores its commitment to connecting local innovators with global platforms to help shape Africa’s entrepreneurial future.

Host: Nelson Mandela Bay iHub

Thembalethu iHub, our centre in George, exhibited at the GRAYE Expo – the Garden Route Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Expo. This platform celebrates youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in the region and our participation reflects our ongoing commitment to nurturing youth-led startups all while providing access to ecosystems that grow and scale impactful businesses.

Host:Innovator Trust

Congratulations to our Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub startups — Threattricks, Smart Vending, Softcoza, Loomee Group, and Bona Phandle Media — on graduating from the Innovator Trust Accelerator Programme. A special shoutout to Khanya Ngqelanga of Bona Phandle Media for winning the Highest Percentage Growth Award for 2023/2024 — an outstanding achievement! It was inspiring to see current Hatch Programme startups showing their support, reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration within our community. We thank the Innovator Trust for their ongoing support of high-impact entrepreneurs.

Host:EmpowaEntrepreneur

The EmpowaEntrepreneur Pitching Festival has wrapped up, marking a fruitful day for Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub startups who pitched for funding. Their bold ideas and ambition were truly inspiring. Several startups secured follow-up meetings with the Dragons — a promising step forward. Beyond pitching, our entrepreneurs networked with C-suite leaders, innovators, and ecosystem players from across the country. A big thank you to the CEO of EmpowaWorx and his team for creating this dynamic platform and warmly hosting our startups.

Host:EmpowaEntrepreneur

Our startups from the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub networked with purpose and engaged in pivotal discussions around private equity, Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) and funding for women-led businesses. The energy was inspiring and the connections made were meaningful. We are proud to be part of a platform where our innovators can learn, grow and contribute to shaping a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem for South Africa and the continent at large.

Host:Buffalo City iHub

Buffalo City iHub, our Duncan Village branch, has received state-of-the-art laptops through a partnership with Buffalo City Metro, ECDC, Telkom SA, and the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub. Our CEO accepted the equipment, which will help empower youth and SMMEs with the tools to thrive in ICT and beyond. This initiative marks a bold step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering participation in the 4IR and AI economy — right from the heart of the township.

Host:I Am an Entrepreneur and FNB

Our startups attended the I Am an Entrepreneur Summit right here in Gqeberha, where the theme was Customer Centricity. From a thought-provoking masterclass to a dynamic panel discussion and an engaging case study session where entrepreneurs broke into groups to unpack the strategies of two highly successful South African businesses - the day was rich with insight. The message was clear: building from a customer-centric perspective is key to growth and sustainability. We are also thrilled that some of our entrepreneurs also walked away with exciting prizes during the prize-giving ceremony! A huge thank you to I Am an Entrepreneur and FNB for hosting such a powerful and inspiring summit. What a phenomenal experience for our ecosystem.

Host:MICT SETA

Entrepreneurs from the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub attended the MICT SETA 2025 Stakeholder Engagement Roadshow in Gqeberha which was a spotlight of the future of the digital economy and the critical role of education, training and innovation. Our entrepreneurs, particularly those in the education and skills development space, walked away with valuable insights and connections that will shape how they grow and contribute to South Africa’s digital transformation.

Host:Dr Pulleng Moleko- Boyce and NMU science centre team

The Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub CEO took our creative tech entrepreneurs to the Nelson Mandela University Science Centre, where they experienced the awe-inspiring Planetarium and engaged in meaningful conversations around science, storytelling and innovation. The visit opened up exciting discussions and potential collaborations that align with our goal of supporting startups that are reimagining the future of entertainment, education and technology. A big thank you to Dr Pulleng Moleko- Boyce and NMU science centre team for hosting us and for your continued commitment to innovation in the Eastern Cape.

Host:Nelson Mandela Bay iHub

We hosted an inspiring and thought-provoking session, aptly called a "Morning of Mindful Planning and Growth," which focused on the power of mindset and the importance of balancing personal, financial and professional life. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Thokozile from Old Mutual, Ms Brenda Moduka from Atlega for Women and Mrs Phindi Tikwayo from Winning Leap for sharing their invaluable insights. The session was truly transformative.

Host: Nelson Mandela Bay iHub

Our CEO, Darryl Dennis, co-hosted a masterclass on Driving Innovation and Digital Adoption in Township Economies. One of our incubated startups, Benito Carelsen the founder of BLC Entertainmment represented the Nelson Mandela Bay Inovation Hub.His attendance most certainly highlighted the strides we are making in the tech and creative spaces.

Host: South Africa Industry Pavillion

Five of our startups, namely, BLC Entertainmment, DBI Intelligent Technology Group, Loomee Group, Olem Business Boutique and Softcoza- Software Company Of South Africa landed the incredible opportunity of travelling to China for the Global Digital Trade Expo, showcasing their businesses at the South Africa Industry Pavillion.

Host: Innovator Trust

Congratulations to our incubatees, Sisanda Lebo Mbodlela Mpati founder of SM Solutions and Aphiwe Matshezi Tafeni founder of Olem Business Boutique who are nominees at the Innovator Trust Women in Tech 2024 Event.

Host: NM iHub & UK South Africa Tech Hub

The Nelson Mandela iHub has been awarded the third AfriLabs ticket scholarshipp, this opportunity will allow our team to join the AfriLabs Annual Gtheering in Cape Townn bringing back valuable insughts to support our local ICT-driven SMMEs.

Host: Nelson Mandela iHub

Rodney Louis from JRPV was in the UK as part of a cohort of 30 entrepreneurs who are taking their businesses to the next level. Rodney is taking big steps in representing South Africa's entrepreneurial spirit on a global scale.

Host: Internet Summit, Cape Town

Our Ceo, Darryl Dennis, along one of our startups, attended the Internet Summit in Cape town where Benito Carelsen, CEO of BLC Entertainment shared insights on funding models for tech and gaming content.

Host: NM ihub

We recently had the honour of hosting Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, along with the MMC of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture Shurling Lindoor, and their delegation at our center.

Host: NM iHub & Xhanti Ben-Mazwai

The CEO of Nelson Mandela iHub and Xhanti Ben-Mazwi from Nelson Mandela University graced the entrepreneurs with their wisdom, shedding light on essential strategies for building resilience.

Host: NM iHub & MTN

The state of innovation and technology in Nelson Mandela Bay session provided entrepreneurs with opportunities that are available in organizations within the city and nationally.

Host: NM iHub & BMF

The event focused on taking charge of personal and business finances. We want to extend a huge thank you to the incredible speakers for providing insights and invaluable tips to help everyone get a handle on their finances.

Host: BCM iHub & Loome Group

Loomee Group in partnership with Buffalo City ihub is hosting a 4 weeks remote work outreach programme meant to train the youth in Duncan Village Business support center.

Host: NM iHub & DTIC

Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub hosts The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa pertaining to the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation.

Host: AgeBoy Entertaiment, SMSolutions, OBB & Your Digital SA

One of our objectives is to create a space for collaboration between our clients and we love it when they take that on.

Host: Innovator Trust

#WIT2022 highlighting the remarkable work and innovation of female tech SMMEs, elevating their voices to a bigger platform.

Host: Nelson Mandela iHub

We are, we always have been and we always are going to be proud of our South African Heritage.

Host: NM ihub

Nelson mandela ihub Incubatees get to know each other and what their companies are offering.

Host: NM ihub Stakeholders

Nelson Mandela ihub stakeholders,on the meet & greet when the new CEO of ECDC came to visit our head office.

Host: NM iHub & Dr Sunshine Blow

A discussion on Challenges & Opportunites around technology from Cacadu Development, dti, CIPC, & TIA.