The campaign currently runs across key regional radio stations, inviting small business owners to "share their hustle" for a chance to win a cash injection. Each week, one winner is selected and profiled on air, with 16 businesses featured and four overall winners awarded per station, says Standard Bank. 

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, says the bank. 

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

"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 at the 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," adds Zachar. 

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, says the bank. 

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 says it 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, Standard Bank says 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.

Standard Bank concludes that by including a wide range of stations and regions, the campaign reflects the 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.

For more information, visit www.standardbank.co.za. You can also follow Standard Bank on FacebookLinkedIn, or on X

*Image courtesy of contributor