Telkom FutureMakers Teams Up with Aions to Supercharge South African Tech Startups

• September 26, 2025
• C Badenhorst
• 0 Comments

Why the Deal Matters

Imagine a startup ecosystem where money and mentorship arrive together, not in separate batches. That’s the promise behind the new tie‑up between Telkom FutureMakers and Aions Creative Technology. The telecom giant is pumping R58 million (about $3.8 million) into Aions, which will in turn sprinkle it across a select group of high‑potential, black‑owned tech firms. It’s not just a cheque – it’s a full‑service launch pad.

Both parties stress that the goal isn’t just to write a check and walk away. Aions will sit in the trenches, helping founders shape products, refine business models and hit growth milestones. The ultimate target? Lift each company’s valuation within three years and secure a solid exit for investors.

Who’s Getting the Boost?

The partnership zeroes in on start‑ups that tick three boxes: black ownership, technology focus, and a clear path to scaling. Sectors on the radar include:

• Fintech – payment platforms, credit scoring, and mobile banking solutions.
• Edutech – digital classrooms, skills‑matching apps and remote learning tools.
• Health tech – tele‑medicine, patient data management and AI‑driven diagnostics.
• Gaming – local content, AR/VR experiences and e‑sports platforms.
• E‑commerce – marketplace development, logistics tech and last‑mile solutions.
• Cyber‑security – threat detection, data encryption and secure cloud services.

By the end of the year Aions expects to have backed five firms already, with two more deals in the pipeline. Among the portfolio are Welo Health, a tele‑health app that connects patients to clinicians; Credipple, a credit‑building platform targeting under‑banked youth; and Space Salad Studios, a game‑dev studio pushing African narratives into the global market.

These wins aren’t isolated. Telkom’s own head of business development, Tshepo Phetla, notes that the programme has a disproportionate impact on young, black and women‑owned enterprises. The backing—both cash and hands‑on support—helps these ventures cross the dreaded “valley of death” that trips many early‑stage businesses.

Beyond the funding, the partnership offers a suite of services that read like a startup cheat‑sheet: Business‑in‑a‑Box starter kits, one‑on‑one coaching, mentorship from seasoned industry veterans, introductions to potential customers and, crucially, access to larger venture capital networks once they’re ready to scale.

The numbers behind FutureMakers paint a clear picture of ambition. Since its launch in 2015 the programme has poured over R250 million into more than 2,600 ICT small, medium and micro enterprises, sparking the creation of roughly 67,000 jobs. In the 2025 financial year alone, Telkom reported a 153.4 % surge in its enterprise and supplier development spend.

To celebrate a decade of impact, Telkom rolled out a series of hackathons across South Africa in September 2025. Around 700 contestants—students, coders, and tech enthusiasts—tackled real‑world challenges side‑by‑side with Telkom staff, mentors and Geekulcha, the implementation partner. The events weren’t just about prizes; they were talent‑sourcing missions aimed at feeding the pipeline of founders that FutureMakers will later nurture.

Dr Jantjies, a senior executive at Telkom, summed it up: “Hackathons encourage upcoming technopreneurs to develop creative ideas and technological solutions, and equip them to compete in the demanding telecoms space.” The sentiment underscores the programme’s broader mission: aligning innovation, diversity and economic empowerment.

For Aions founder and CEO Mitchan Adams, the partnership is a chance to amplify a model that’s already working. “We’re not just investors; we’re part of the day‑to‑day,” he says. “Our goal is to increase valuations and exit with strong returns, but the real win is seeing these founders turn ideas into businesses that create jobs and solve real problems.”

Industry watchers see this as a template for how large corporations can catalyse inclusive growth. By pairing deep pockets with operational expertise, telcos and other incumbents can unlock a wave of localized innovation that otherwise might stay dormant.

While the full impact will unfold over the next few years, early signs are promising: increased market traction for the backed startups, heightened interest from global VCs, and a growing sense that South Africa’s tech scene is becoming more reflective of its population. The FutureMakers‑Aions duo is positioning itself at the heart of that transformation, proving that strategic collaboration can move the needle for both profit and purpose.