Introducing SparkTank 2025 – a precursor to The Pitch UCT

Dear students

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) has developed yet another component of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) student entrepreneurship ecosystem – SparkTank – which serves as the preparatory stage for student innovators. Working with the Academic Representative Council (ARC) and supported by Innovation & Learning First Tier, the DSA partnered with the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and other key stakeholders to get this project going.

SparkTank provides a structured environment for idea generation, refinement and validation before students apply to The Pitch UCT, a multi-phase premier student entrepreneurship programme and competition.

Over the past decade, The Pitch UCT has evolved, fostering game-changing student ventures and empowering young innovators. Building on its growing success and demand, the entrepreneurship journeys strategy is being introduced to create even more pathways for UCT students to unleash their potential.

How SparkTank fits into the entrepreneurship ecosystem:

• SparkTank is an early stage ideation platform where students can develop and refine their business ideas through mentorship and peer collaboration.
• The Pitch UCT is a competitive business pitch platform where students who have validated their ideas through SparkTank or other avenues present them to industry experts for funding and support.
• The Hasso Plattner Design Thinking Dash is a fast-paced, hands-on workshop that introduces students to Design Thinking fundamentals in just two hours. This session serves as a concise and impactful teaser, helping students grasp key design thinking mindsets and concepts quickly. Participants gain practical experience with essential tools and techniques, allowing them to apply their learning to real-world problem-solving immediately. The session enhances students’ ability to refine and iterate on their business ideas before advancing through the SparkTank and The Pitch UCT pathways.

What’s new in 2025:

• New pre-application offering: SparkTank now allows students to generate and refine ideas before applying for The Pitch UCT 2025, improving their chances of entrepreneurial success.
• The 10th-year celebration of The Pitch UCT: This is aimed at honouring past alumni who have done incredible things in business and social impact, as well as welcoming new collaborators.
• Entrepreneurship journeys: A structured offering for students to develop ideas and early stage start-ups from the ground up, featuring different entry points for students at various stages of their entrepreneurial development.

SparkTank is open to all students and faculties across all levels – whether you have a startup-ready idea or want to join like-minded peers to problem-solve, this is for you.

Key event details:

• SparkTank Challenge: Complete the form to register / sign up and win prizes.
• The Pitch UCT 2025: Applications will open soon, after completion of the SparkTank stage
• Design Thinking Dash: This will take place on 15 March 2025 (RSVP required)
• Semifinals validation: Scheduled for July 2025, this is a crucial milestone where semifinalists validate their business ideas with expert panels at the Graduate School of Business.
• Finalists implementation: In September 2025, finalists will refine their business strategies and prepare for real-world execution with Allan Gray Orbis Foundation.
• Year two hybrid programme offerings: Occurring throughout the year, it features mentorship, coaching and entrepreneurial well-being sessions for top-performing students, collaborating with UCT Flourish (Student Success).
• The Pitch UCT Finals night: To be hosted in October 2025 (RSVP required), this is the grand showcase of UCT’s top student entrepreneurs as they pitch their businesses for funding and support.
• Register and sign up.

For more information, please contact ThePitchUCT.

Sincerely

The Pitch UCT Team

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements