South Africa’s leading student entrepreneurship platform takes a significant step forward today as the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, an initiative of Universities South Africa, officially launches the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 at the University of Mpumalanga.
Now in its eighth year, the competition has evolved into a more integrated and impactful platform through the combination of the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity and the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge, introduced in 2025. This unified approach strengthens opportunities for student entrepreneurs to transform business ideas and existing ventures into viable, scalable enterprises that address real-world challenges. Students will supported through a Bootcamp, Mentorship and up to R1 200 000 in prize money.
Delivered in partnership with Absa Group, driving financial inclusion through student entrepreneurship and the SAB Foundation continuing its support for Social Impact. The 2026 edition reflects a continued commitment to collaboration between higher education, the private sector, and development partners to advance youth entrepreneurship across South Africa.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Entrepreneurship in Action: From Vision to Implementation. From Policy to Impact,” the InnoVarsity provides a national platform for student entrepreneurs across all 26 public universities to develop, refine, and scale businesses that respond to critical challenges such as economic inclusion, social inequality, and environmental sustainability.
Over the past seven years, the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity has supported the growth of high-potential student ventures through funding, mentorship, and access to strategic networks, contributing meaningfully to the development of South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the launch, Alfred Nkosi, Regional Manager: Public Sector Banking at Absa, emphasised the role of entrepreneurship in shaping the country’s economic future:
“At Absa, we believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable development. Through our partnership with EDHE, we are investing in a generation of young people who are not only thinking differently, but building solutions that matter. This platform is about moving from ideas to impact and ensuring that student entrepreneurs are equipped to create businesses that are both commercially viable and socially relevant.”
From a higher education perspective, Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director: Entrepreneurship of Universities South Africa, underscored the strategic importance of the initiative: “The EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity is a cornerstone of our efforts to embed entrepreneurship within the higher education sector. It enables universities to play a more active role in developing graduates who are not only employable but are also capable of creating employment. This initiative reflects our commitment to aligning academic innovation with national development priorities and ensuring that student potential translates into tangible impact.”
Ms Onthatile Ditshego, Programme Specialist of the SAB Foundation, highlighted the importance of supporting innovation with a social purpose: “The SAB Foundation is proud to support initiatives that place social innovation at the centre of entrepreneurship. What makes this platform powerful is its focus on solutions that respond to real societal challenges. By backing student entrepreneurs who are building impact-driven businesses, we are contributing to a more inclusive and resilient economy.”
The national launch event brings together stakeholders from universities, government, and industry, alongside emerging student entrepreneurs. The programme features leadership insights, student success stories, and the official opening of entries for the 2026 competition.
As the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 officially opens for entries, it sets the stage for a new cohort of student entrepreneurs to move beyond ideas and into action.
Entries for the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 officially open on 16 April 2026.
Ms Khutso Moleko is a Media and Marketing Officer, Universities South Africa (USAf)