{
  "id": 7862265,
  "title": "SMALL BUSINESS: Where have all the entrepreneurs gone in the startup age?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/small-business-where-have-all-the-entrepreneurs-gone-in-the-startup",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T20:24:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-16-where-have-all-the-entrepreneurs-gone-in-the-startup-age/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The modern South African small business founder/owner is different from their startup counterparts, as their primary focus is organic profitability and steady cash generation within a local market. In contrast, startup founders typically pursue rapid, exponential scalability through technology-driven innovation with global market capture in mind.\n\nAccording to Shoprite's latest SME report, 32% of small businesses have operated for over 20 years, but 39% of these businesses employ fewer than five people throughout their lifetime. Thato Ntseare, head of venture investments at E Squared Investments, notes that this stark contrast to the startup ethos of high-risk, high-velocity growth, which is structured for venture backing, rapid team expansion, and liquidity events/exits.\n\nMany South African small business founders, like Tanya du Bois of Naturals Beauty, have found success through organic growth and reinvesting all revenue back into the business. Du Bois discovered a demand for natural, organic personal care products after her son's autism diagnosis led her to eliminate environmental toxins. She started in her kitchen, using a 1960s recipe book, and later expanded her product range after receiving professional cosmetic chemist support.\n\nE-commerce and direct customer relationships have become essential for scaling these businesses. However, older demographic segments (aged 60+) in South Africa still prefer physical stores. Specialized chains, such as Wellness Warehouse, introduce high storage, handling, and distribution fee burdens for small businesses.",
  "summary": "Not all business founders are looking for an exit or to give up equity to the venture capitalists, and that’s fine.",
  "key_points": [
    "South African small business owners prioritize organic profitability over rapid scalability.",
    "32% of businesses operate over 20 years but employ fewer than five people.",
    "Tanya du Bois of Naturals Beauty achieved success through organic growth and reinvestment."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}