Futurpreneur celebrates 15 years of G20 YEA in South Africa with high-impact delegation and pitch competition

As a founding organization, Futurpreneur is proud to celebrate a decade and a half of global youth entrepreneurship connection and global impact through the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA). As Canada’s delegation leader for the G20 YEA, Futurpreneur has witnessed the remarkable resilience of Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. For the fifteenth year, we proudly led the Canadian delegation at the annual G20 YEA summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Sept. 18-21, 2025, contributing to uniting young business leaders and promoting innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth internationally. 

This year’s summit focused on the theme “Celebrating 15 years of impact. Together we thrive.” In the spirit of global collaboration, Futurpreneur sent 39 diverse, high-impact young entrepreneurs to represent Canada on the world stage. Our commitment to diverse young entrepreneurs was demonstrated through a delegation that included businesses from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

Beyond the wide regional representation, which contributed to Canada’s delegation winning the award for the largest delegation, the participating group represented Canada’s diversity, with 59% of the businesses being women-led and 30 entrepreneurs out of 39 identifying as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour. The group also included two entrepreneurs with disabilities and two entrepreneurs from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

Pitching for the win and shaping global vision 

One of the highlights of the annual G20 YEA Summit is the pitch competition, which comes with a monetary award for the winner. In Johannesburg, two Canadian delegates competed as finalists and the Canadian delegation brought home the title for the first time in eight years, with Futurpreneur Diana Virgovicova, CEO of Xatoms, winning the pitch competition! Building on this major achievement, our delegates played a prominent role in informing the latest G20 YEA communiqué and shaping a shared global entrepreneurial vision. 

During the summit, Canadian delegates participated in several panels on crucial topics such as circular economy, inclusive finance, women entrepreneurship, creative industries, tech, artificial intelligence, and the state of education. Canadian delegates capitalized on this momentum by connecting with peers from around the world and engaging with Canadian and South African business leaders, including The Da Vinci Institute, The Southern Africa–Canada Chamber of Commerce (SACANCHAM), NSDV Law, PKF Octagon and the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct Innovation. They also met James Christoff, High Commissioner for Canada in South Africa, and other officials whose unwavering support greatly encouraged their efforts and amplified the delegation’s voice. 

Key recommendations for global growth 

This year’s G20 YEA communiqué presented five key recommendations that reaffirmed the Alliance’s mission to empower young entrepreneurs and drive global economic renewal. It called on G20 leaders to restore trade certainty by committing to a rules-based international trading system, ensuring stability for startups and small businesses navigating global markets. The communiqué also emphasized the importance of inclusive growth by expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs who face social or economic barriers. 

Beyond inclusion, the G20 YEA urged governments to strengthen support for young entrepreneurs leading innovation in sustainable agriculture, the green economic transition, and digital technology sectors critical to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable global economy. 

Our commitment to global impact 

As a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, which has a global network of more than 500,000 young entrepreneurs, Futurpreneur remains committed to fostering innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. “Futurpreneur created a space for and by young entrepreneurs to build international partnerships and secure support for our entrepreneurs and their startups,” says Mona-Lisa Prosper, Futurpreneur’s Senior Director, Community Engagement and Interim G20 YEA Canadian Delegation President. “It was a transformative experience. I’m proud to have championed a brilliant, diverse group of entrepreneurs whose global impact continues to inspire. The international connections we built—across cultures, industries, and borders—were deeply enriching for all of us. My heart is full, and my mind is sparking with new ideas.” 

The G20 YEA trip to South Africa was more than a summit or a trade mission; it was a milestone for Canadian youth. Beyond celebrating the Alliance’s 15th anniversary, they reaffirmed their strong position on this unique world stage by bringing new connections, ideas, and a pitch competition win back to Canada. 

Ready to expand your horizons, gain new insights and take your business to the global stagr? Visit Futurpreneur’s G20 YEA page to learn more.