Image: Sanlam Private Wealth Ventures Studio Session

South Africa’s design community is entering a new era of opportunity with the launch of the Ventures Foundation, an initiative by Sanlam Private Wealth that aims to nurture the next generation of high-growth creative entrepreneurs. Built around the belief that design can shape cultures, economies and futures, the Foundation will support designers and makers who are ready to scale their businesses, refine their craft, and take their ideas to global audiences.

At the heart of the launch is a design challenge inviting South African creatives to reimagine what African luxury looks like today. Designers are tasked with creating a luxury textile piece, prototyped as a rug, that blends heritage with innovation. The brief calls for natural tones, refined materiality, a sophisticated aesthetic — and a signature touch of blue as a visual cue.

But this initiative goes far beyond a design competition. It’s a platform for growth, exposure and long-term development.

Finalists will gain access to industry-shaping mentorship, including guidance on product positioning, pricing models, design refinement and enterprise management. The programme also connects emerging talent with a curated network of local and international retailers, production specialists and institutions such as the Craft & Design Institute and Clout/SA — opening real pathways to market and meaningful commercial opportunity.

Importantly, the Ventures Foundation emphasises entrepreneurship with purpose. It is designed to support business sustainability, job creation and socio-economic impact, ensuring that creative success becomes community success. Designers retain full ownership of their creative and commercial rights, allowing them to grow independently long after the programme concludes.

For South Africa’s design sector — and the broader African creative economy — the Ventures Foundation represents a significant investment in talent, innovation and legacy. It’s a rare opportunity for designers with vision and ambition to elevate their work and shape a renewed story of African luxury.

Submissions are open now, with proposals requiring a concept overview, visual references, material intentions and a studio profile. This is an opportunity for designers who are ready to take a bold step into the future.