Leopards Lair® Business Competition

Leopards lair

Turn your idea into a real business.

NWU Leopards’ Lair is NWU’s flagship student business pitching competition. It gives students the chance to develop fundamental startup ideas, test business concepts, and build entrepreneurial skills that can lead to a business career — alongside or beyond traditional employment.

Whether you already run a small business or have a great idea, Leopards’ Lair helps you turn it into something scalable and sustainable.

Enter before 18 May 2026

Why enter?

Leopards’ Lair is more than just a competition. Participants gain:

Cash prizes that can serve as seed funding
Venture development support
Mentorship and pitch coaching
Exposure to NWU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem
Support to refine business models and improve investor readiness
Practical skills to launch sustainable ventures

This is your chance to move from idea to action.

Category information

Knowledge-Based Startups

Transform your research, innovation, or technical skills into a real business that can make an impact.

Student Side-Hustles
Start and grow your own venture while studying — from creative brands to digital services and scalable business ideas.

2026 Competition Timeline

9 March – 18 May	Submit your business idea via the online entry platform. Submissions should explain: The problem or opportunity Your proposed solution Target customer or beneficiaries How you will reach the market Revenue or impact model Students can access support through the NWU online entrepreneurship training portal.
22 June	Shortlisted participants announced.
22 June – 27 July	Shortlisted teams submit a KasiKanvas or business model framework.
17 August	Semi-finalists announced.
17 August – 21 September	Semi-finalists submit a five-minute recorded pitch presentation.
Early October (date to be confirmed)	Finalists are announced and enter a pitch-readiness phase with coaching and mentorship.
Final Gala Event — October 2026	Finalists pitch live in Vanderbijlpark, where winners of NWU Leopards’ Lair 2026 are crowned.

Ready to leap? Enter here

If you have an idea worth exploring or a problem worth solving, Leopards’ Lair is your starting point.

Whether it’s a research-driven startup, digital product or practical side-hustle, this competition gives you the structure, support and platform to grow.