Innovation is no longer a buzzword; it’s a business imperative. The Nedbank Innovation Conference returns for its 3rd year, bringing together a curated group of 60 industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and digital pioneers for a day of insight, inspiration, and connection.

Hosted at The Vineyard in Cape Town, this event showcases how digital transformation, AI-driven business models, and corporate venture capital are reshaping industries in South Africa.

Why innovation matters in business today

In a world defined by digital disruption, businesses must evolve or risk being left behind. From market research to smart infrastructure, innovation drives competitive advantage.

The conference explores how companies are leveraging technology to stay ahead, whether through AI in business, new funding models, or bold strategic pivots.

Unlike traditional conferences, the Nedbank Innovation Conference is intimate, curated, and deeply focused. It fosters meaningful dialogue and genuine connection, and features a bespoke guest list. The setting in Cape Town, home to thriving innovation hubs, adds to the energy, making it a must-attend for those shaping the future of business.

Innovation isn’t just for the private sector. Smart technologies are revolutionising public safety, from surveillance systems to predictive policing. This session highlights how smart city innovation is creating safer, more responsive urban environments, with Cape Town emerging as a leader in this space.

Why Nedbank CIB champions innovation

At Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), innovation is more than a strategy − it’s a mindset. By hosting this conference, Nedbank CIB reinforces its commitment to supporting clients through transformation, investing in future-forward solutions, and positioning itself as a catalyst for change in the South African business landscape.

This panel features businesses that have embraced change, sharing lessons learned, missteps made, and successes achieved. These stories offer practical insights into navigating transformation, especially amid uncertainty and rapid change.

Conference videos

This annual business networking event provides a platform for robust discussions on navigating the challenges of rapid innovation, disruptive trends, and organisational transformation.

The conference is in its second year, and we aim to develop it into an annual calendar event that the industry looks forward to, which we will build on over time.

The event will take place on 5 September at The Forum Embassy Hill, Constantia, and expects to host 70delegates. The conference is exclusively by invitation only. Our speakers are digital mavericks and innovative entrepreneurs across numerous industries, with the esteemed Mike Stopforth as the keynote speaker. The conference also hosts speakers from Bash, Motus and Quro Medical.

Here are some talking points that were covered at the conference by speakers

1. Innovation DNA: Unpack a company’s innovation journey, strategic decision-making, and thought process when building a business.
   
   
2. Navigating disruptive waters: Exploring the transformative events that challenge and reshaped a companies trajectory.
   
   
3. Wisdom forged through experience: Reflecting on the invaluable lessons learnt along the way and how these insights serve as guideposts for future endeavours.
   
   
4. Unearthing opportunities: Delve into the art of trendspotting and the ability to discern emerging trends and seize them as strategic opportunities.
   
   
5. Balancing persistence and pragmatism: the delicate balance between tenacity and adaptability. When do we persist, and when do we gracefully pivot or let go?
   
   
6. Chasing competitors’ shadows: Discuss strategies for catching up with and surpassing competitors’ initiatives.
   
   
7. AI and cutting-edge systems: Explore the utilisation of technology, AI, and market-leading systems to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.

Conference presentations and videos