The One Day
“MBA”.
for Entrepreneurs
Think better. Execute smarter. Grow faster.
18 September 2026 · Rustenburg, North West
One day.
One discipline.
Nine provinces.
All the depth of an MBA classroom, without stepping away from your business. Each summit takes one core business discipline (strategy, sales, operations, finance) and works it hard for a full day, with the entrepreneurs of one province in the room.
In partnership with FNB
The series · 2026/27
Nine cities. Nine disciplines.
The summit tours every province, one masterclass at a time. Applications for one city open at a time, the Monday after the previous summit wraps.
- 28Aug 2026
Johannesburg (Sandton)Gauteng
Where are you going?Strategy
Past event - 18Sept 2026
- 16Oct 2026
PolokwaneLimpopo
Is your business protected?Governance & Risk
Opens 21 Sept - 20Nov 2026
DurbanKwaZulu-Natal
Can your business cope with growth?Operations
Opens 19 Oct - 19Feb 2027
GqeberhaEastern Cape
Why should customers choose you?Marketing & Positioning
Opens 23 Nov - 19Mar 2027
BloemfonteinFree State
Can your team deliver?Leadership
Opens 22 Feb - 23Apr 2027
KurumanNorthern Cape
Where is the money going?Financial Management
Opens 22 Mar - 21May 2027
Mbombela (Nelspruit)Mpumalanga
Who can help you grow?Partnerships & Market Access
Opens 26 Apr - 18Jun 2027
Cape TownWestern Cape
Is your business built for scale?Investment Readiness
Opens 24 May
What you get
More than a seat.
- 01
A full-day masterclass
MBA-calibre teaching on one discipline, taught for operators: frameworks you can apply in your business on Monday morning.
- 02
The FNB partnership
Delivered with FNB, whose business bankers and specialists are in the room: access, insight and relationships that outlast the day.
- 03
A 12-month mentorship
At every summit, one business wins a year of structured mentorship. Opt in when you apply; attendance is your entry.
- 04
The Business Showcase
Selected applicants showcase their products and services to the room. Tell us on the form if you want a stand.
Who should apply
Built for entrepreneurs in the arena.
You are trading
Your business is registered and generating revenue. Pre-revenue ventures are not eligible for this series.
You are in South Africa
Any of the nine provinces. Apply for the city you can attend in person; the summit comes to each province in turn.
You run the business
Owner-led businesses only. The day is built for the person who makes the decisions, not a delegate sent on their behalf.
Applications open
Have you applied?
The Rustenburg summit is open: Who is buying?. Applications close on 4 September 2026. It takes minutes to apply and attendance is free.
The room is half the value.
From the summit floor
FAQ
The fine print, plainly.
How much does it cost to attend?
Nothing. The One Day MBA is fully sponsored by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR and FNB, but seats are limited and application-based. Approved applicants attend free of charge.
Who can apply?
Owner-led businesses that are registered and generating revenue, in any of South Africa's nine provinces. Pre-revenue ventures are not eligible for this series. Apply for the city you can attend in person.
What happens after I apply?
The team reviews every application. You'll receive an email with the outcome; approved delegates get event details and a short pre-event survey to complete before the day, so the teaching can be tailored to the room.
Can I showcase my business at the summit?
Yes. Each summit includes The Business Showcase. Indicate your interest on the application form and tell us what you'd present; showcase spots are selected from the approved applicants.
How does the 12-month mentorship giveaway work?
At every summit, one attending business is selected to receive twelve months of structured mentorship. Opt in on the application form; you must attend the summit to be eligible.
My province's applications aren't open yet. What do I do?
Only one city's applications are open at a time. The next city opens the Monday after the previous summit. Check the series above for your city's opening date and apply as soon as the window opens.