Genius UP wins The Pitch UCT 2024

Genius UP was awarded first prize at The Pitch UCT Finals Night on 7 October, a special occasion for the entrepreneurial community of the University of Cape Town (UCT). The event, held at the UCT’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), brought together seven finalists who presented their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Genius UP, a tutoring company founded by UCT student Blessing Mlambo, took home the top honour. The company aims to provide academic support that empowers students to achieve excellence in their studies.

The Pitch UCT is a flagship event for student entrepreneurs and is designed to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit within UCT’s student body. The initiative provides a platform for students to showcase their business ideas, develop their entrepreneurial skills, and receive constructive feedback from industry experts.

The chairperson of the Academic Representatives’ Council (ARC), Luthando Tshona, pointed out that The Pitch UCT, now in its ninth year, is more than just a competition: it’s an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience in business planning, pitching, and problem-solving.

A platform for student innovation and entrepreneurship

Professor Elelwani Ramugondo, UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness, praised the initiative’s student-driven nature. “The idea started in a dining hall at one of our residences, Baxter Hall,” she said. She also emphasised the support provided by the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) office, the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), and the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, key partners in making The Pitch UCT a success. “The Pitch is more than just a competition. What this is is a transformative experience that really gives agency to our students to become innovative leaders and successful entrepreneurs.”

The competition aligns with UCT’s broader institutional goals, particularly Vision 2030, said the executive director of the DSA, Pura Mgolombane. He explained how The Pitch UCT contributes to UCT’s mission to develop well-rounded students who are not only academically strong but also equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.

Carl Herman, the head of Impact Assurance at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, also underscored the importance of resilience in the entrepreneurial journey. “Innovation and entrepreneurship are journeys of resilience,” Herman noted. He highlighted the role of competitions like The Pitch UCT in offering students the opportunity to test their ideas, learn from failures, and persevere in the face of obstacles. He paid tribute to the various role players who nurture and support the young entrepreneurs. “Together we create this network that enables sustainable growth and development,” he said.

UCT VC Professor Mosa Moshabela added that the competition is a testament to UCT’s dedication to creating positive societal impact. He noted that the event showcases the university’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial thinking, empowering students to become innovators and change-makers. In referring to the significance of the event, Professor Moshabela said, “UCT seeks to become an institution that can have an impact on society.”

The judging panel for The Pitch UCT 2024 featured a line-up of accomplished individuals from various fields. Benjamin Shaw, a seasoned business leader and investor, is the founder and former CEO of HouseME, a real estate technology platform that transformed the South African rental market. Sinal Govender, a legal professional recognised by the Mail & Guardian as one of South Africa’s Top 200 young people in the Justice and Law category, also brought her expertise to the panel. Sandras Phiri, the founder and CEO of Pranary.com, a pan-African institute that offers practical tech and business education, provided valuable insights into the world of tech entrepreneurship. Rounding out the panel was Boipelo Manoko, an Intellectual Property Specialist at theUCT's Research, Contracts & Innovation (RCI) unit, with a wealth of experience working with technologies across various disciplines.

A vision for empowering students

The competition was fierce, with each finalist bringing unique and innovative ideas to the table. After intense deliberations, the panel of judges awarded third prize, including a cash award of R10 000, to VarsityBLOCK, a platform designed to simplify student accommodation management. Second prize, along with R15 000, went to Hussle, a service aimed at connecting students with short-term job opportunities to help them earn income while balancing their studies.

Genius UP, however, stood out for its clear vision and potential for impact. As the first-prize winner, the company walked away with R25 000 in cash and six months’ worth of business mentorship. This mentorship, offered by experts from the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, provides Mlambo with valuable resources and guidance to further develop Genius UP into a sustainable venture. In addition to the cash prize and mentorship, Genius UP also secured access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem designed to support its growth. This includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the Jamboree Entrepreneurial Festival in 2025, courtesy of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, where Mlambo will have the opportunity to network with other young entrepreneurs.