Parent Sense clinches South Africa’s largest startup investment prize at a record-breaking Summit celebrating the power of entrepreneurship to drive national renewal
Article: Lonwabo Mtyeku | GP News Media – Community Newsroom Pictures: Supplied
Johannesburg, South Africa – The 2025 South African Future Trust (SAFT) Summit concluded in spectacular fashion at the Sandton Convention Centre, affirming its reputation as the country’s premier platform for entrepreneurship and innovation. With over 2,000 delegates, 186 exhibitors, and a national spirit of ambition in the air, the Summit showcased the ingenuity and resilience driving South Africa’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector into a new era of growth.
The highlight of this year’s event was the announcement of the $1 million ‘Big Pitch’ winner — Parent Sense, the science-based parenting app founded by Meg Faure. The announcement, made live on stage by Jonathan Oppenheimer, Executive Chairman of Oppenheimer Generations, sent waves of excitement through the audience of South Africa’s leading investors, innovators, and founders.
A Transformational Win for a Visionary Founder
Parent Sense empowers parents with personalised, evidence-based advice to support their babies’ development — combining technology, science, and empathy in one platform. The $1 million investment will accelerate Parent Sense’s mission to scale globally, expand its impact locally, and advance data-driven parenting solutions for families across Africa and beyond.
“I was blown away by the entire SAFT Summit! Being a founder is a hard, lonely journey — the tenacity and grit it takes to get to this point is difficult to articulate,” said Meg Faure, Founder of Parent Sense. “To have the Oppenheimers believe in my vision is incredibly validating. The impact for the South African startup ecosystem — and the economy at large — is enormous.”
The Big Pitch, South Africa’s largest-ever startup competition, was hosted in partnership with Startup Club ZA. From over 500 applicants to ten finalists and finally three grand finalists, the journey culminated in Faure’s victory — a celebration not only of her innovation but of South Africa’s entrepreneurial vibrancy.
Summit Highlights: Where Ideas Meet Impact
Now in its third year, the SA Future Trust Summit has evolved into a beacon for visionary entrepreneurship, fusing investment, insight, and inspiration. This year’s program — delivered in partnership with Standard Bank — offered live pitches, demonstrations, and panels from some of the country’s most dynamic business leaders.
Key sessions included:
- Jonathan Oppenheimer’s opening address, rallying entrepreneurs to lead the charge in inclusive economic renewal.
- Richard Mulholland’s keynote, urging founders to adapt boldly in a fast-changing world.
- The Africa Playbook — a powerful conversation between Jonathan Oppenheimer and Liban Egal, Founder & CEO of Camel Cash, exploring Africa’s new wave of opportunity.
- Katlego Maphai, Co-founder of Yoco, sharing lessons on scaling with purpose.
- Adam Pantanowitz, serial tech entrepreneur, unpacking the mindset shifts that unlock exponential growth.
The SA Future Trust Awards 2025 also honoured outstanding entrepreneurial excellence, distributing R3 million across six categories — including Youth Entrepreneur, Tech Entrepreneur, Social Entrepreneur, and the Top Women in Business Award (sponsored by Standard Bank). Each winner’s story reflected innovation, grit, and the human heart of enterprise success.
A Platform for Bold Ideas and Transformative Investment
Day two opened with Lincoln Mali’s keynote, “The Ripple Effect: Where Giving Fuels Growth,” followed by Bruce Whitfield’s powerful talk, “Choose Hard,” challenging founders to embrace transformative difficulty. Gilli Apter, J’Something, Fehmz, and Reuben Riffel brought creative inspiration in the “Recipe for Success” panel, while Grace Andrews, former Brand Director of Diary of a CEO, inspired attendees to lead with authenticity through personal branding.
The “Tech Transforming Townships” session spotlighted township innovators Godiragetse Mogajane, Thandwe Radebe, and Imtiyaaz Riley, revealing how technology is being reimagined at the grassroots level.
A Celebration of South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
In his closing remarks, Jonathan Oppenheimer reflected on the Summit’s growing impact:
“The South African Future Trust Summit is more than a gathering of entrepreneurs — it is a living expression of what we believe is possible for our country. Every founder here is solving a real problem, creating jobs, and shaping a more inclusive future. Parent Sense’s achievement reminds us that when we back bold ideas with real capital and meaningful support, we unlock not just business growth, but human potential.”
The Summit’s success was made possible through the support of its headline sponsor Standard Bank, media partner 702, and partners including the Allan & Gill Gray Foundation and FNB. Together, they helped build a space where South Africa’s brightest minds can connect, collaborate, and create lasting impact.
About the South African Future Trust Summit
The SA Future Trust Summit, powered by Oppenheimer Generations, is South Africa’s foremost platform celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive growth. Through high-impact conversations, strategic investment, and community building, the Summit empowers founders to build sustainable businesses that drive national renewal and regional prosperity.
