2026 Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Entrepreneurship Innovarsity

The EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 invites university students aged 18 to 35 from all 26 South African public universities to participate. Registered undergraduate and postgraduate students from all disciplines are eligible, whether they study full-time or part-time. However, MBA students are not eligible to participate. University staff members may only enter under the Commercialisation of Academic Research category.

The EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 is a platform designed to identify, recognise and showcase the top student entrepreneurs at South Africa’s 26 public universities. The primary objectives of the InnoVarsity are

• to identify the top student entrepreneurs at each university.
• to identify the top student businesses at each university.
• to encourage universities to support student businesses and entrepreneurs better.

To qualify for participation, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or postgraduate student at one of the 26 South African public universities at the time of submission. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible.
• Maintain good academic standing, as verified by their university’s EDHE Student Entrepreneurship Coordinators.
• As the owner, founder, or controlling shareholder of an existing business competing in one of the categories, participants must be primarily responsible for its operation. Each business may only be represented by one participant in the competition.
• Business in the Technology, Social Impact and General categories must have been operational for at least three consecutive months before the competition entry.
• Entrepreneurs with both registered and unregistered businesses are allowed to submit their entries.

The competition is designed in the following distinct categories, providing opportunities for diverse groups of innovative students to participate and benefit. The competition invites studentpreneurs to submit their entries in one of the following categories:

• Category 1: Existing Business – Tech: Designed for businesses that primarily create and develop innovative technology.
• Category 2: Existing Business – Social Impact: Focuses on businesses that leverage research, innovation and technology to address social, environmental or community challenges while generating profit.
• Category 3: Existing Business – General: Invites businesses with a proven track record of success, established products or services, and align with one or more of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Category 4: Commercialisation of Academic Research: Targets Master’s or PhD entrepreneurs who transform scientific and technology-driven experimental academic research into viable commercial ventures. Research should have been accepted by an authorised South African academic or research institution.
• Category 5: Innovative Industries: Focuses on ideas that challenge the status quo, break conventional boundaries, and demonstrate transformative, future-focused thinking. 

For further information and to receive assistance submitting your entry, please visit edhe.co.za