The 2025 Bellville Business Expo (BBEXPO) brought the local business community together for two energetic days on 28–29 October 2025 at the Tygervalley Centre Arena, marking its third successful year as one of Cape Town’s most dynamic platforms for business growth and collaboration.
Organised by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), the event connected over 500 businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from across the Northern Suburbs and beyond — celebrating innovation, resilience, and creativity within Bellville’s local economy.
Sustainability and Innovation Take Centre Stage
This year’s expo focused on sustainability and future-forward business practices, featuring exhibitors across technology, finance, retail, manufacturing, creative industries, and social entrepreneurship. Attendees gained valuable insights into scaling sustainably, building brand visibility, and unlocking access to new markets.
Key partners included Tyger Valley Centre, Resilient Innovations, Petco, Polyco, Standard Bank, Vodacom, Tappd, BizMag, Print On Demand, Urban Seed PR, The Human Economy, and Get Published.
“Each year, the Bellville Business Expo grows stronger — in both scale and impact,” said Nasmera Buckus, GTP Chief Operations Officer. “Our goal is to create meaningful, long-term opportunities for SMMEs that go far beyond the two-day event.”
Spotlight on the Level Up Business Programme
In the lead-up to the expo, the Bellville Connect Level Up Business Programme once again acted as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth. Over an eight-week hybrid programme, local entrepreneurs participated in expert-led workshops, mentorship, and strategic coaching, culminating in a live pitch event on 21 October at the Momentum auditorium.
The 2025 programme winners demonstrated creativity, business acumen, and a strong commitment to sustainability:
Sodieq Barendse – Pekkish
Carmy Davis – Davis Clothing
Cazri Johnson – Ncinci Ndiqala
Shaun Cairns – Seed2harvest
Aqeebah Taliep – Diamond Sparkle Detergent
The top three received tailored mentorship and advisory packages focused on strategy, finance, operations, and sustainability, ensuring continued growth beyond the expo.
A Greener Expo Experience
This year introduced the Sustainable Journey — an interactive feature encouraging greener habits through paperless contact cards, e-waste recycling, composting challenges, and a Green Pledge Wall.
The speaker lineup included Alderman James Vos, Warren Hewitt (GTP CEO), Tanya Heimann (Tyger Valley Centre GM), and Willem Olivier (Resilient Innovations CEO). A highlight was the Zero Waste, Circular Economy and Collaboration panel, featuring leaders from Petco, Wasteplan, TCB, and the City of Cape Town.
“The Bellville Business Expo is a key driver of economic development and entrepreneurship in the Northern Suburbs,” said Alderman Vos. “It shows the power of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable growth.”
Building Bellville’s Business Future
All entrepreneurs are now integrated into Bellville Connect — GTP’s digital platform designed to empower and connect local SMMEs through a verified business directory, resource hub, AI-powered assistant, and peer-driven community network.
Through initiatives like Bellville Connect and the Level Up Programme, the GTP continues to position Bellville as a vibrant, inclusive, and opportunity-rich business hub.
