Local businesses need more than a platform to showcase their products. They need access to customers, opportunities to learn, meaningful business connections and the support to turn potential into sustainable growth.
That was the message at the BBEXPO 2026, hosted by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) at Tyger Valley Centre on 28 and 29 October.
Under the theme Local is Better, the two-day event brought together 50 exhibitors, including 30 businesses participating in GTP’s Level Up Business Programme, alongside 1508 entrepreneurs, consumers, business leaders that registered to attend and industry experts.
“The BBEXPO is more than an exhibition. It created an opportunity for local businesses to connect with new markets, showcase their products and services, strengthen their networks and access practical business support,” says Nasmera Buckus, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at GTP.
The event was hosted by GTP in collaboration with better. together., the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, and is the Northern Suburbs’ only annual business event of its size.
The event forms part of GTP’s broader commitment to strengthening Bellville’s local economy by supporting entrepreneurship, enabling collaboration and connecting small businesses with opportunities across the wider economic landscape.
From business development to real-world opportunity
A key feature of this year’s expo was the recognition of 28 entrepreneurs who graduated from GTP’s 2026 Level Up Business Programme.
Now in its fourth year, the programme ran from July to October, supporting entrepreneurs through business development workshops, mentorship, expert guidance and accountability support. Its focus is on helping established small businesses strengthen their business models, improve competitiveness and prepare for growth.
Of the programme participants, ten entrepreneurs progressed to a competitive pitch event on 19 October at the Sanlam Auditorium. Five finalists were subsequently selected to showcase their businesses and compete for the top three positions at BBEXPO.
The 2026 winners were:
- Franc Lubbe – Francly Foods: First place. A halaal-certified production bakery supplying coffee shops, restaurants and retailers across Cape Town.
- Tanya van Stade – Seeds for Life Farm: Second place. An agricultural co-operative producing nutrient-rich vegetable powders and vegetable-infused butters from organically certified vegetables, while creating market opportunities for other local growers.
- Haythem van der Schyff – Spice It Up & Go: Third place. A Durbanville-based spice retailer offering quality spices, seasonings and practical cooking guidance.
The remaining finalists were Algernon Jacobs of Multi-Fast, in fourth place, and Jorgina Heugh of Adore Her by G, in fifth place.
The winners receive recognition and business development support, including personalised mentorship and media exposure, helping them build on the progress made during the programme.
For Franc Lubbe, winning first place represents an important step towards the next phase of growth for Francly Foods.
Following the announcement, Lubbe said, “The programme has helped my business grow and opened doors to new opportunities. I want to highlight the value of the networking and connections developed throughout the programme, and the opportunity made possible to attract investors to expand the business.”
His experience reflects the wider purpose of Level Up: equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence and connections to pursue their next stage of business growth.
Creating access to markets and meaningful connections
For small businesses, visibility is only the beginning. The ability to connect with customers, understand market expectations and access larger commercial opportunities is essential to long-term sustainability.
This was a central theme of the expo’s opening programme.
Warren Hewitt, CEO of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, says, “The importance of partnerships and the wider business ecosystem in supporting sustainable entrepreneurship cannot be underestimated.”
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town, highlighted the need to improve access to markets and larger supply chains for small businesses.
These messages were reflected throughout BBEXPO’s programme, which was designed to move beyond traditional exhibition activities and give entrepreneurs practical opportunities to learn, participate and connect.
Visitors explored six themed Discovery Zones: Taste Bellville; Style, Beauty & Living; Ideas & Creativity; Business Solutions; Services & Experiences; and Future & Innovation.
The curated zones showcased the diversity of retail businesses operating in Bellville and the Northern Suburbs, from food producers, fashion and beauty brands to creative enterprises, professional services and emerging businesses.
The programme also included live entrepreneur pitches, Meet the Maker spotlights, product demonstrations and the interactive Local is Better Passport Challenge, encouraging visitors to discover local businesses, sample products and actively support local enterprise.
Key event partners, including the City of Cape Town, Tyger Valley Centre, Rain Natural Skincare, Fuji Express, Metropolitan, African Bank, Tappd, NOMU, BizMag, Urban Seed PR, The Human Economy and Get Published, helped make this year’s BBEXPO possible through their valued support and contributions.
Practical business support and expert insight
The six Level Up Business Lab workshops introduced this year at the BBEXPO were booked out across both days, providing practical learning opportunities through sessions covering retail readiness, access to finance, artificial intelligence for small business, sales, customer conversion, digital marketing and brand positioning.
Sessions included Where’s the Money?, presented with African Bank; AI for Small Business with Nuvance; How to Sell More with Craig Broadfoot; Turn Browsers into Buyers with Grant Sherwood; a marketing workshop with Loxly Atkinson; and a branding workshop led by The Nimble.
The busy Expert Business Lounge also gave entrepreneurs access to experienced professionals for focused conversations and advice on business challenges, including finance, compliance, sales, procurement and business growth.
A further highlight on day one of the expo was the keynote contributions by Ayanda Vumazonke, National Marketing Manager at Pareto Limited, and Paul Raphaely, Director of NOMU. Raphaely shared insights from NOMU’s 27-year entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of perseverance, distinctive products and clear, credible brand positioning in building a successful business.
Together, these activities reinforced the importance of practical knowledge and access to expertise in helping businesses become more competitive and commercially ready.
Building a stronger local business ecosystem
BBEXPO is one part of GTP’s ongoing work to strengthen the economic environment in Bellville and the wider Northern Suburbs.
Through initiatives such as the Level Up Business Programme, GTP aims to help local businesses become more visible, develop their capabilities, access resources and build relationships that support sustainable growth.
The programme’s growing reach also reflects its potential beyond the Western Cape, with three additional Level Up programmes planned for Gauteng in 2027.
The expansion will extend the GTP’s initiative into other economic centres, creating opportunities to support more entrepreneurs and strengthen connections within South Africa’s small business ecosystem.
Ultimately, Local is Better is more than an event theme. It is a call to recognise the value of local enterprise and the role that businesses, consumers, institutions and industry partners play in building a stronger economy.
When local businesses are supported, connected and given access to opportunity, the benefits extend beyond individual enterprises. They contribute to jobs, livelihoods, innovation and more resilient communities.
Ultimately, Local is Better is more than an event theme. It is a call to recognise the value of local enterprise and the role that businesses, consumers, institutions and industry partners play in building a stronger economy.
Through BBEXPO and its wider enterprise development initiatives, GTP continues to bring these connections to life, working together to create a stronger business environment and a better. bellville. together.
Be part of Bellville’s growth story.
Partner with GTP
Partner with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) to unlock opportunities, strengthen business connections and help build a stronger, more inclusive local economy.
Together, we can create a better Bellville where businesses, communities and investment grow.
To explore partnership opportunities, contact: Nasmera Buckus – COO, Greater Tygerberg Partnership, nasmera.buckus@gtp.org.za.
