The Ventures Foundation by Sanlam Private Wealth is a platform to discover, develop and accelerate South Africa’s brightest design entrepreneurs.
Design that endures is born from precision, patience and partnerships that value both artistry and enterprise. The Ventures Foundation by Sanlam Private Wealth is built on this ethos – empowering a new generation of designers to step onto the global stage and make Africa’s quiet luxury impossible to ignore.
This initiative is more than a design competition. The Ventures Foundation is a platform to discover, develop and accelerate South Africa’s most promising creative entrepreneurs – designers with the potential to translate distinctive vision into sustainable, global brands.
‘Designing investment portfolios is as much a craft as it is a science – measured, meticulous and deeply personal,’ says Theesan Moodley, CEO of Sanlam Private Wealth. ‘The Ventures Foundation extends this discipline into design entrepreneurship. When creative excellence is paired with business mentorship and global exposure, the result is lasting impact.’
How it works
Twelve emerging designers will be selected for a series of masterclasses focused on both creative excellence and business capability. Five will go on to receive intensive, tailored mentorship – from pricing and production to branding and market access.
One finalist will join a mentor at Maison&Objet in Paris, one of the world’s top design fairs, to engage with global brands, gain international insights and build connections.
A brief for Africa’s quiet luxury
Applicants are invited to design a luxury textile piece – prototyped as a rug – that reimagines African luxury. Here, luxury is not about excess, but restraint: timeless design, refined craftsmanship and mastery of the material. The review lens is equally focused on entrepreneurial potential – clear ambition, and readiness to scale.
Why it matters now
Across Africa, design is becoming a powerful economic force. Studios are weaving sustainability, provenance and innovation into products with global appeal. But the journey to scale remains tough. Access to capital, networks and international markets is limited. Competing globally requires more than creativity – it requires a strategy.
The Ventures Foundation narrows this gap by combining Sanlam Private Wealth’s expertise in managing global portfolios and cross‑border complexity with mentorship from creative leaders who’ve built globally respected brands. This is practical support, not just inspiration.
Mentors and partners
The expert panel brings together leaders across design, business and creative entrepreneurship: Tracy Lee Lynch (Clout/SA), Laurie Wiid van Heerden (Wiid Design), Mpho Vackier (TheUrbanative), Zizipho Poswa (Imiso), Charl Edwards (Lookbook Studios) and business strategist Claude Morris, alongside Sanlam Private Wealth’s own investment expertise represented by Lentsoane Lekalakala.
The Craft & Design Institute (CDI) joins as development partner, drawing on decades of experience supporting creative enterprises into new markets.
For creative entrepreneurs
If you have a studio, a distinct point of view and some recognition, but you’re still building global reach, this is an opportunity to shift from creating stand-out pieces to shaping a resilient brand.
For contributors
If you believe that wealth includes cultural legacy, not just capital, the Ventures Foundation offers a chance to support the next wave of African talent – through mentorship, funding or access.
How to enter
Visit sanlamprivatewealth.com for details. Entries close 15 March 2026.
