It was a powerful day of ecosystem engagement as students, startups and industry leaders came together to explore the future of innovation within the City of Tshwane. From insightful conversations to groundbreaking startup exhibitions and international recognition for a Unisa innovator, Venture Crawl 2026 reflected the growing strength of innovation and commercialisation at Unisa.

The Unisa Venture Crawl 2026, held on 6 May 2026, brought together students, startups and ecosystem leaders for a day focused on entrepreneurship and innovation in the City of Tshwane. Coordinated by the Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (DITTC) through UniVentures, the initiative provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with the broader innovation ecosystem and gain practical insight into the realities of building and scaling innovative ventures.

What is Venture Crawl?

Venture Crawl is a global entrepreneurship and ecosystem engagement initiative led by King's College London and implemented through the King's Entrepreneurship Institute in partnership with leading institutions from around the world. The programme is designed to expose students and startups to innovation ecosystems by connecting them with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovation hubs and support organisations. Unisa proudly participates as the only African partner institution in the initiative, creating opportunities for Unisa students and startups to engage with global innovation networks.

Exploring the City of Tshwane innovation ecosystem

The day began with Unisa students gathering at the Muckleneuck Campus to prepare for a site visit to The Innovation Hub, one of the region's leading innovation ecosystem partners. Participants got exposure to the environment and its support systems. These continue to play a critical role in advancing entrepreneurship and technology development in South Africa. The experience offered students a closer look at how innovation ecosystems operate and how industry can create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.

"Taking our startups to The Innovation Hub was important because innovation grows through exposure and access to the right ecosystem," said Basanda Pongoma, Business Development Specialist at the DITTC. "Venture Crawl 2026 was not just about visiting spaces; it was about helping our innovators see what is possible and where their ideas can go."

Conversations on collaboration and growth

The programme continued at Unisa with a panel discussion centred on the theme, "Unlocking opportunity: How innovation ecosystems empower startups and drive collaborative growth". The panel discussion featured respected ecosystem leaders, including Dr Thato Tshepo Shuping, Director of Innovation at City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Milisa Mabinza, Director at UK-SA Tech Hub, and Dr Phuti Chelopo-Mgobozi, Acting Senior Manager: Bio-Innovations, The Innovation Hub. The conversation explored the realities of entrepreneurship and the importance of ecosystem collaboration.

"Success in the innovation journey is not dependent on individual brilliance but on collective wisdom," said Shuping.

Showcasing innovation through startup exhibitions

A major highlight of the event was the startup exhibition, which showcased ventures supported by UniVentures, the DITTC’s startup support programme. Exhibitors included Tweak My Price, Archaea Eco, AGR-Smart Tech, Nu Age, and Nana. Their presence reflected the diversity of innovation emerging from the Unisa ecosystem, with solutions addressing sustainability, agriculture, digital platforms and consumer technologies. Throughout the exhibition, students and guests engaged directly with founders, creating meaningful conversations around market opportunities.

International recognition for a Unisa innovator

The Venture Crawl also coincided with another proud milestone for Unisa’s innovation ecosystem. During the event, attention was drawn to the international success of Jessica Maleka, who was recently announced as the winner of the 2026 Venture Crawl International Pitch Competition.

Maleka’s innovation, Pathfyndr VR, impressed judges for its socially driven use of immersive technology to improve access to mental health support through virtual reality experiences delivered in users’ native languages. Her achievement not only highlighted the growing quality of innovation emerging from Unisa, but also demonstrated the global potential of startups being developed and supported within the university ecosystem.

Strengthening partnerships for future innovation

"Entrepreneurship is not about being married to your idea; it is about solving real problems. Sometimes the market will force you to pivot; flexibility is what allows innovation to grow," said Ayanda Noma, Director of the DITTC. "Platforms like Venture Crawl are important because they expose innovators to the broader ecosystem where collaboration and partnerships become critical in turning ideas into sustainable ventures."

Ayanda Noma, Director of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation at Unisa

The atmosphere throughout Venture Crawl 2026 reflected a growing culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Unisa. From the energy during the panel discussions to the engagement at the startup exhibitions and networking sessions, the day demonstrated the value of partnerships in building sustainable entrepreneurial pathways for students and innovators.

* By Matshego Njumbuxa, Marketing and Communication Specialist: Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation