For many small businesses in South Africa, growth is often limited not by ambition, but by lack of access, to capital, to markets, and to the kind of visibility that attracts new customers. Too often, entrepreneurs struggle to scale due to limited exposure, insufficient funding, and lack of access to tailored business support. The right platform, at the right time, can shift that trajectory entirely.

Recognising this, Standard Bank is using the power of radio to help close that gap through its MyMoBiz and SimplyBLU campaign, an initiative that brings over 150 entrepreneurs into the spotlight via a powerful blend of storytelling, financial support, and regional exposure. The campaign currently runs across key regional radio stations, inviting small business owners to “share their hustle” for a chance to win a big cash injection. Each week, one winner is selected and profiled on air, with 16 businesses featured and four overall winners awarded per station. Each of those winners will automatically receive R25,000, with an additional R25,000 awarded if they hold a Standard Bank MyMoBiz business account. If the additional R25,000 is not claimed, it may be rolled over, increasing the potential payout in future weeks.

This initiative reflects Standard Bank’s ongoing effort to find relevant and meaningful ways of backing entrepreneurs with impact, visibility, and platforms they typically would not be able to access on their own.

“This regional radio campaign is not just about airtime, it is about unlocking access,” says Jenine Zachar, Head of Value Propositions and Client Experience at Business and Commercial Banking South Africa, Standard Bank Group. “For a small business, the right kind of publicity can be catalytic. It opens doors to new markets, builds credibility, and attracts customers they might not otherwise reach. When combined with the strength of our expert relationship managers, deep sector insights, and tailored solutions that respond to each business’s unique context, this visibility becomes a powerful growth enabler.

At Business and Commercial Banking, our greatest value lies in how we journey with a business, not just at startup phase, but as it scales and transitions into new levels of complexity, offering solutions that evolve in line with each stage of its growth. This campaign is a natural extension of that promise, to go beyond banking, and be a trusted partner for growth.”

For many participants, the reward goes beyond recognition. The campaign creates access to radio airtime typically out of reach for most small businesses, through regional commercial radio stations that provide trusted local reach. It gives entrepreneurs a platform to amplify their offering and connect with new audiences.

In real terms, the value of this exposure is significant, adding up to around R300,000 worth of radio exposure for each business featured. In addition, a single 30-second advert on prime-time radio can cost thousands of rands, placing such opportunities well beyond the reach of many entrepreneurs. Through this regional radio campaign, Standard Bank has unlocked millions of rands worth of airtime for small businesses, positioning this initiative as a powerful SME growth enabler and catalyst for visibility in the market.

Alongside this financial benefit, winners also gain access to business support through tools and services available via Standard Bank’s MyMoBiz business account and broader business banking solutions. While the prizes are bigger for Standard Bank business account holders, there are winners regardless of whether they hold existing Standard Bank business accounts, underscoring the bank’s belief in backing all potential. By including a wide range of stations and regions, the campaign reflects the vibrant diversity and ambition of South Africa’s entrepreneurial sector. The initiative complements Standard Bank’s broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, offering support at every stage of the business journey.

As the campaign gains momentum across the airwaves and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, one thing is clear, Standard Bank is not just supporting small businesses, it is amplifying their stories, driving impact, and helping them build for lasting success.