Every founder knows that building a business is only half the job. The other half is getting the right people to notice it.

Customers need to discover you. Partners need to believe in you. Investors need to hear your story. And opportunities often come down to whether you're in the room when the conversation happens.

For many women founders, that's still one of the hardest parts.

While the number of women launching technology businesses continues to grow, access to funding, networks and visibility remains uneven. In 2024, female-founded startups accounted for just 18% of venture deals and attracted only 7% of total equity funding in Africa, despite the growing number of women building technology businesses.

Great businesses don't always struggle because they're bad businesses. Sometimes they struggle because too few of the right people know they exist.

That's where opportunities to pitch matter.

At this year's Digital Divas Summit, five women founders will be selected to pitch their businesses live on stage through Diva Pitch 2026.

The businesses don't need to be perfect. They do need to be solving real problems, using technology as part of their business model and demonstrating the ambition to grow.

The finalists will pitch live at Digital Divas in front of founders, investors and ecosystem leaders from across the Innovation City network. It's an opportunity to showcase your business to people who understand what it takes to build a company, and who may be able to help you take the next step.

The winning founder will receive a one-year Innovation City community membership, unlocking access to one of South Africa's most connected startup networks, with year-round founder meet ups, knowledge sharing events and opportunities to collaborate with entrepreneurs, investors and corporate innovators.

But the real prize isn't simply the membership. Every finalist gains something just as valuable: visibility. Pitching live puts your business in front of the people who can open doors, make introductions and create opportunities long after the event is over.

It's the chance to tell your story to a room full of people who understand what it takes to build a company and who might become your next customer, mentor, investor or collaborator.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are open to women founders and co-founders of technology-enabled businesses that already have a product, MVP or service in market.

We're looking for businesses that:

• Solve a genuine problem.

• Use technology as a core part of their business.

• Have demonstrated early traction.

• Show the potential to scale and create employment.

• Are ready to take the next step.

Only five businesses will be selected to pitch live at Digital Divas on 28 August.

Know Someone Building Something Great?

Not every founder sees themselves as pitch competition material.

If you know a woman quietly building an exceptional business, send her this article. Encourage her to apply. Sometimes the biggest difference in an entrepreneur's journey is simply someone saying, "You should put yourself forward."

Applications close on 1 August 2026.

Whether you're applying yourself or nominating someone else, this is an opportunity to help put another ambitious South African female-led business on the map.

Apply for Diva Pitch 2026 here: https://forms.gle/wX4ceGRrN5ZgS28F8