Ten black women-owned technology businesses have received funding, skills development and long-term digital support through Telkom FutureMakers’ inaugural TrailblazeHER accelerator programme.
The entrepreneurs graduated from the three-month programme at Killarney Country Club on 26 August, where they connected directly with investors, executives and industry leaders to support their next stage of growth.
Each founder received R100,000 in grant funding to address specific business needs identified during the accelerator, representing R1 million in direct funding across the first cohort.
The businesses will now enter a five-year digital transformation journey with Telkom FutureMakers, extending support well beyond the initial accelerator.
TrailblazeHER was created to help women entrepreneurs strengthen established businesses through leadership development, digital skills, business development, funding and access to networks.
During the three-month programme, participants worked on their businesses’ growth requirements while developing capabilities designed to make their enterprises more sustainable and competitive.
“As a Group and through Telkom FutureMakers, we are proud of what has been made possible through this initiative,” said Tshepo Phetla, Executive: Business Development and ESD at Telkom.
“The women came into TrailblazeHER with established businesses, ambition and a clear desire to grow.”
Phetla said participants leave the accelerator with stronger businesses, greater confidence and a clearer understanding of their next stage of development.
Access to potential investment and markets is another component of the programme. Through a partnership with Jozi Angels, the entrepreneurs were connected with investors, industry expertise and business networks.
The programme was delivered in partnership with The Innovation Hub and SAICA Enterprise Development, combining expertise in technology innovation, incubation, financial management, governance and enterprise development.
For Black Elegance Group founder Simone Julies Wicomb, the programme helped strengthen both her business direction and ability to communicate its value.
“I have become more confident in speaking about my business and the value we offer. I also leave with a stronger network and a clearer roadmap for our next stage of growth,” Wicomb said.
“There is something powerful about being in a room where women are not competing but genuinely want to see one another succeed.”
Nyawo Group founder and CEO Thobile Nyawo said the combination of mentorship, networks and learning had opened opportunities that would otherwise have taken considerably longer to access.
“TrailblazeHER gave us access to expertise, networks and market opportunities that would have taken much longer to reach independently,” Nyawo said.
“Now I’ve got an opportunity to scale on my ideas and build even better.”
TrailblazeHER forms part of Telkom FutureMakers’ wider enterprise development work, which provides emerging businesses with access to funding, mentorship, technology, skills, markets and networks.
For the inaugural cohort, graduation marks the beginning of a longer development process, with the five-year digital transformation programme designed to help the businesses build the capabilities needed to scale.
Applications for the next TrailblazeHER cohort are expected to open in February 2027, with the programme beginning in March.
