At the recent Anglo American InvestFest, the JET Funding Platform made its presence felt—not just by attending, but by amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs and giving them direct exposure to investors and ecosystem partners.

Held under the banner of the Impact Finance Network, InvestFest brought together a powerful mix of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, development agencies, and policymakers to explore how to drive more capital into small and medium enterprises.

Within the heart of the action was the JET Zone, hosted by the Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit (JET PMU). Within this space, the JET Funding Platform took a bold approach: not just speaking about entrepreneurs, but sharing the stage with them.

The JET Zone showcased how grant capital is being used to bridge funding gaps for early-stage innovations. The Ecosystem Zone highlighted the players enabling the transition—from community based organsations to corporates. But it was the SME Showcase Zone that truly brought the vision to life: entrepreneurs stood in the spotlight, presenting their innovations, prototypes, and businesses directly to a room full of funders and partners.

For many innovators, this wasn’t just exposure—it was an opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported by those with the capital and knowledge to help them grow.

By curating this space and elevating real entrepreneurs, the JET PMU is demonstrating what a just transition really looks like: one where opportunities are shared, capital flows where it’s needed most, and emerging businesses are given the tools—and the stage—to thrive.