CALL FOR PITCH SUBMISSIONS

Agri-Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition

“Shark Tank” Style • Video Submission • Live Finals

Deadline for Submissions: 30 May 2026

Pitch your vision. Shape the future of agriculture.

1. Introduction

The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension (CENSARDE) at the University of the Free State, in partnership with the South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE), invites aspiring and established agricultural entrepreneurs to submit pitch videos for the inaugural Agri-Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition at the 59th Annual SASAE Conference in East London.

This competition aims to promote entrepreneurial thinking within agricultural extension and advisory services, showcase innovative and feasible agribusiness ventures, and provide a platform for entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a panel of industry experts, investors, and academics.

The competition is open to individuals 35 years and younger across South Africa who are developing or operating agribusinesses that contribute to sustainable food systems, rural livelihoods, and inclusive agricultural value chains.

2. Competition Categories

Submissions are invited under two categories:

Category A: Existing Agribusiness SME	Category B: Ideation / Start-up
For registered businesses that have been operating for at least 6 months with demonstrable revenue or market traction. Award: Most Feasible Business	For new venture concepts at the idea, prototype, or early-stage phase that have not yet generated significant commercial revenue. Award: Most Innovative Venture

3. Prize Structure

Description	Category A: Existing SME	Category B: Ideation / Start-up
Winner	R3,000	R2,000
Runner-up	R2,000	R1,500

All six finalists will receive certificates of recognition and exposure to a panel of industry leaders, government officials, and potential investors at the conference.

4. How to Submit

4.1 Pitch Video Requirements

Applicants must prepare and submit a pre-recorded “Shark Tank”-style pitch video that presents their agribusiness venture to a hypothetical panel of investors. The video should meet the following specifications:

Duration: Maximum 3 minutes (strict). Videos exceeding this limit will not be considered.
Format: MP4 or MOV, uploaded via a file-sharing link (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, WeTransfer or YouTube unlisted link).
Visuals: Incorporate supporting graphics, or product demonstrations where appropriate.
Language: English.
Quality: Clear audio and video; a smartphone recording is acceptable if well-lit and audible.

4.2 What Your Pitch Should Cover

Your pitch video should address the following elements as concisely as possible:

The Problem: What agricultural or food system challenge does your venture address?
Your Solution: What is your product, service, or innovation? How does it work?
Market & Customers: Who are your target customers? What is the market size and competitive landscape?
Business Model: How does or will the business generate revenue? Include pricing, production, and distribution strategy.
Financial Overview: Current or projected revenue, costs, and funding requirements (Category A: actuals; Category B: projections).
Impact & Sustainability: How does your venture contribute to sustainable food systems, rural development, or inclusive value chains?
The Ask: What do you need to grow? (Investment, partnerships, mentorship, market access, etc.)

4.3 Submission Details

Email your submission to the following address:

Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel: swanepoeljw@ufs.ac.za

Subject line: SASAE 2026 Pitch Submission – [Category A or B] – [Venture Name]

Your email must include:

Full name(s) and contact details of the applicant/team.
Name of the venture/business idea.
Category selected (A: Existing SME or B: Ideation / Start-up).
A link to the pitch video (ensure sharing permissions are set to “Anyone with the link”).
A one-page business summary (PDF, max 500 words) covering the key elements listed in Section 4.2.

5. Evaluation Process

The competition follows a two-stage evaluation process:

Stage 1: Panel Pre-Selection (Video Review)

All submitted pitch videos and business summaries will be evaluated by an expert panel. The panel will shortlist six finalists (three per category) based on the assessment criteria below. Finalists will be notified by 11 June 2026 and invited to present live at the conference.

Stage 2: Live Finals at SASAE Conference

The six finalists will deliver a live pitch (5 minutes presentation + 3 minutes Q&A) to a final judging panel comprising industry experts, government representatives, and academics. Winners will be announced at the conference Gala Dinner.

Note: Finalists are expected to attend the SASAE Conference. Conference related fees for finalists own cost.

6. Terms and Conditions

Submissions must be original work. Plagiarised or fraudulent entries will be disqualified.
By submitting, applicants grant SASAE and CENSARDE permission to use excerpts of their video and business summary for promotional purposes related to the conference.
The judging panel’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Prize money will be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) after the conference.
Applicants may enter only one category per venture.
CENSARDE reserves the right to withdraw the competition should it not receive enough entries.