Johannesburg, Gauteng – The Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) has issued an open call for entries for the AGDA Agricultural Business Pitch Competition. This opportunity targets South African farming and agro-processing businesses that are already trading and have a practical plan to grow. The competition aims to support SMEs with the potential to expand operations, increase revenue, and create jobs through additional capital injection.
Competition Purpose and Objectives
AGDA is calling on small and medium-sized businesses that have moved beyond the start-up or idea stage and can demonstrate a clear need for funding to expand. The competition seeks to identify businesses with the potential for measurable growth, including:
- Increased revenue
- More customers
- Job creation
- Increased production
- Expansion into new markets
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, your business must meet the following criteria:
- Be an existing and operational business currently trading
- Be post-revenue with evidence of current revenue
- Be a small or medium-sized business
- Have been operating for at least 12 months
- Be based and operating in South Africa
- Have a genuine need for additional capital to grow or expand
- Have operated for at least 12 months and generate R500,000 or more in annual revenue
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit a 3–5 minute video pitch answering five key questions:
- Who are you?
- What does your business do?
- Where is your business now?
- Why do you need the funding?
- How will funding help you grow?
Related opportunity: Sorghum Trust Opens Funding Applications for Research Projects
Application Timeline and Process
Applications close on 6 October 2026. Five finalists will be invited to pitch live at AGDA’s Annual Member & Stakeholder Engagement Conference on 22–23 October 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
Document Link
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