Five entrepreneurs have been named finalists in the Greater Tygerberg Partnership’s (GTP) 2026 Level Up Business Programme following a pitch event at the Sanlam Auditorium today, 19 October 2026. They will compete for the top three positions at the Bellville Business Expo 2026 (BBEXPO) on 28 and 29 October at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre.
Selected from ten entrepreneurs who pitched at the event, the finalists emerged from an initial group of 33 programme participants. Their businesses span food production, beauty and grooming, industrial supplies, agriculture and spices.
Now in its fourth cohort, the GTP Level Up Business Programme ran from July to October 2026, supporting retail-focused entrepreneurs and small business owners in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. Participants received mentorship, guidance from guest experts and support from accountability partners to strengthen their business models and prepare for commercial opportunities.
Ahead of the pitch event, the ten selected entrepreneurs refined their pitch decks, developed promotional reels and received pitching coaching from Nasmera Buckus, COO of GTP.
The Top 5 Finalists:
- Franc Lubbe – Francly Foods: A halaal-certified production bakery supplying coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and retailers across Cape Town.
- Jorgina Heugh – Adore Her by G: A beauty and grooming brand with around 30 products, most manufactured locally, and a customer base of more than 15,000.
- Algernon Jacobs – Multi-Fast: An industrial fastener and tools supplier, with plans to expand distribution and explore local manufacturing.
- Tanya van Stade – Seeds for Life Farm: An agricultural co-operative owner in Bellville – producing nutrient-rich vegetable powders and vegetable-infused butters from organically certified vegetables while providing market access to other local growers.
- Haythem van der Schyff – Spice It Up & Go: A Durbanville-based spice retailer offering quality spices, seasonings and practical cooking guidance, with ambitions to expand into more communities.
The pitches were assessed by a panel of four judges: Angelique Simon, Business Advisor at the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA); Rajesh Sukha, founder of OrrinjRiver Consulting; Vuyisa Qabaka, Partner for Southern Africa at SNDBX International; and Thabisile Ntshangase, Investment Manager at Business Partners Ltd.
The panel brought expertise spanning small business development, corporate governance, investment and entrepreneurial growth. Each pitch was assessed against ten common criteria, with a maximum score of 50 points, providing a structured basis for evaluating the participating businesses.
The programme has attracted national interest, with three additional Level Up programmes planned for Gauteng in 2027. The expansion will extend the initiative beyond the Western Cape and broaden its reach among entrepreneurs in other economic centres.
The finalists will now progress to the Bellville Business Expo (BBEXPO) 2026, hosted by GTP in collaboration with better. together., the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and Tyger Valley Shopping Centre. As the Northern Suburbs’ only annual business event of its size, BBEXPO champions a simple but powerful message: Local is Better.
Taking place on 28 and 29 October 2026 at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, BBEXPO will bring together 60 exhibitors, including 30 businesses participating in the Level Up Business Programme.
The expo provides a platform for local businesses to showcase their products and services, connect with prospective customers and build relationships with industry representatives and business networks. Admission is free, with tickets available via Quicket: https://qkt.io/BBEXPO2026.
The three winning businesses from the Level Up programme will be selected and announced during the expo. Prizes include personalised business mentorship, winner certificates and complimentary media packages, with further prizes still to be confirmed.
Through the GTP Level Up Business Programme and the Bellville Business Expo, GTP works to strengthen the local business environment by equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills and connecting them with opportunities to participate in the wider economy.
