Engen The Making Of Returns With R800K for Entrepreneurs

South African entrepreneurs with innovative ideas now have another opportunity to transform their businesses as Engen The Making Of returns for its third season, offering a total prize pool of R800,000 to ambitious business owners ready to build the next big thing.

Sponsored by Engen and powered by Raizcorp, the competition goes beyond the traditional business pitch format by placing entrepreneurs in real-world scenarios that test their ability to develop products and services customers genuinely want and are willing to pay for.

A Competition Built Around Real Business Challenges

Unlike conventional startup competitions, Engen The Making Of focuses on turning ideas into commercially viable businesses. Throughout the series, 10 entrepreneurs face industry-specific challenges that require them to tackle every stage of product development—from understanding customer needs and pricing strategies to marketing, production and long-term sustainability.

Contestants work in rotating teams, encouraging collaboration and adaptability under intense time pressure. However, the competition is equally demanding on a personal level, with entrepreneurs required to vote fellow contestants out as the competition progresses through eight challenging rounds.

With only four hours to move from concept to presentation, participants must demonstrate strategic thinking, innovation and the ability to deliver market-ready solutions.

R800,000 in Cash to Fuel Business Growth

Each episode awards R100,000 to the winning team, while the overall winner receives an additional R100,000, bringing the total prize money to R800,000.

The funding is intended to help entrepreneurs reinvest directly into their businesses while gaining practical experience that strengthens their commercial thinking and product development skills.

According to Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp and Executive Director of The Making Of, the competition focuses on bridging the gap between great ideas and successful businesses.

“The difference between a good idea and a successful business often comes down to whether an entrepreneur can turn a concept into something people truly value and are willing to pay for.”

Raiz says the programme encourages entrepreneurs to think beyond inspiration by considering customer needs, product positioning and market competitiveness.

Previous Winner Shares Success Story

Season two winner Koketso Ramatlho, founder of Angela Care, credits the competition with changing the way she approaches business development.

After winning R253,333, she reinvested her prize money into expanding Angela Care and advancing plans to establish a laboratory that will strengthen future product innovation.

Ramatlho says the experience taught her to think strategically about every business decision and encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to apply.

“The competition challenged me to think beyond the idea itself and focus on whether customers would understand the value and what was needed to build something sustainable.”

Supporting South Africa’s Entrepreneurs

For Engen, the initiative forms part of its ongoing commitment to entrepreneurship and economic development.

Sim Manqina, Engen’s Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, says helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable businesses contributes to both job creation and economic growth.

He believes the programme supports entrepreneurs who are prepared to solve real-world problems while creating products and services that deliver meaningful value to customers and the broader economy.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to entrepreneurs who:

• Are 18 years or older
• Own a registered South African business
• Have innovative ideas with commercial potential
• Are ready to compete in high-pressure business challenges

Entrepreneurs interested in participating can submit their applications through themaking-of.co.za.

As South Africa‘s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to grow, Engen The Making Of offers far more than prize money—it provides practical experience, expert mentorship and an opportunity for business owners to refine the skills needed to build sustainable, commercially successful enterprises.