Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge
| AGEC | |
| Formation | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Type | Entrepreneurship challenge |
| Purpose | Allan Gray support |
| Location | |
Parent organization | Allan Gray Orbis Foundation |
| Website | https://theentrepreneurshipchallenge.com/ |
Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) is an annual entrepreneurship education programme established by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. It was launched in 2017 in South Africa and used an online entrepreneurship game in schools and also include three other Southern African countries such as Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia.
History
The Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) was piloted in 2015 by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and officially launched in 2017 in South Africa in partnership with Allan Gray Proprietary Limited.[1] It was created to access to entrepreneurship education beyond the foundation's existing programmes.[2]
In 2023, the High School Game was piloted in Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia.[3] From 2024, the game became available in those countries as part of the Challenge's regional expansion. By 2025, the Challenge had developed into a programme incorporating digital games, physical games and business–pitch activities across four Southern African countries.[4]
Impact
The Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge has expanded its participation since its launch and regarded as the leading competition for aspiring entrepreneurs from South Africa.[5] In 2023, thousand participants took part in the revised programme, including approximately 17,500 primary–school learners.[6] The programme reported more than 21,000 learners across the four countries, while its High School Game had been played more than 200,000 times. In 2025, participation increased to more than 40,000 learners across Southern Africa.[7][8]
The challenge include Business Pitch Challenge, High School Game and Ultimate AGEC Hype Ambassadors. During the finals, the Business Pitch Challenge prize is only awarded to only three participants and top 10 participants on the High School Game Leader board from each countries.[9][10]
Honours and awards
References
- ↑ "Allan Gray Orbis Foundation launches its 2024 Entrepreneurship Game for learners from across Southern Africa". SA Good News. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Joel, Tshepho (2018-06-12). "Learners encouraged to enter the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge". SME South Africa. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Gauteng learners shine in Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025". IOL. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Entrepreneurship gaming challenge crowns SA's brightest young entrepreneurs". IOL. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Schäfer, Siegfried (2017-12-01). "Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge achievers to jet off to the US". Franschhoek Tatler. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Ford, Wesly (2023-08-24). "Rondebosch East pupils shine in business challenge". Southern Suburbs Tatler. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Gauteng learners shine in Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge 2025". IOL. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Celebrating two decades of impact – the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge Summit 2025". Education Gov.ZA. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Southern African learners invited to 2026 entrepreneurship challenge". NovaNews. 2026-06-05. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ Moodley, Neesa (2026-06-15). "Financial education gets practical as firms move into South African schools". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge: High School Game". SeaMonster. Retrieved 2026-08-16.
- ↑ "International Serious Play Awards Winners 2025". Serious Play Conf. Retrieved 2026-08-16.