There are events… and then there are inflection points.

On Saturday 15 November, at Flower Café in Cape Town, the second edition of Founders Café became exactly that: a gathering that didn’t just bring founders together, but ignited something — ideas, clarity, confidence, partnerships, momentum. You could feel it in the room before the coffee even cooled.

For Anago Marketing, it was one of those rare brand activations that becomes a case study before the event even ends.

 

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A Room Wired for Possibility

From fintech to fashion, wellness to AI, logistics to legal tech, sustainability to sports innovation — founders from every imaginable category arrived carrying very different dreams, but walked out carrying a shared energy.

Many confessed they had arrived feeling anxious or introverted. By midday, they were buzzing.

“I went in feeling a bit nervous. Today, I feel invigorated and excited for the work week to start.” — Sean Loots

“I came back buzzing… I didn’t feel I had to put a mask on. You had created a space where we could be ourselves.” — Mandy Denoon-Stevens

This is what modern brand-building looks like: curated spaces that remove friction, eliminate awkwardness, and make connection easy — even for the introverts.

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A Format That Finally Gets Networking Right

Networking is often either too forced or too vague. But Founders Café found the balance.

The morning blended:

• punchy 15–20 minute micro-talks,

• structured but natural networking,

• micro-consults, and

• unplanned, serendipitous collisions that founders later called “divine appointments.”

“Probably the most valuable networking session I’ve been to. It didn’t feel forced. I made so many genuine connections.” — Leigh Botha

“It was a brilliant blend of thought-provoking presentations and networking. I’m 100% going to the next one.” — Rory Brachner

For Anago Marketing, this underscored something we teach often:
the best customer experiences feel choreographed, but never contrived.

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Speakers Who Delivered Real, Actionable Value

Across the morning, founders heard from:

• Paul K Roberts — on killing “wallpaper words” and being human on LinkedIn.

• Mbali Ndhlovu — on the misunderstood art of community.

• Johnny Maritz — on the importance of a founder’s physical sustainability.

• Nick Dreyer — who delivered a visceral reminder of South Africa’s global potential.

The feedback came in fast and heartfelt:

“Nick absolutely smashed it. I wish I had a recording.” — Derric van Rensburg
“Mbali’s talk sparked something alive in me.” — Mandy Denoon-Stevens
“I took notes. Literal gems.” — Rory Brachner

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More Than an Event—A Catalyst

What surprised even the organisers was how many attendees reported unexpected clarity, new collaborations, even business breakthroughs waiting in their inboxes when they got home.

“I met someone who doesn’t know it yet, but she’s been a huge inspiration to me. You can’t get that kind of insight alone.” — Mbali Ndhlovu

“Some conversations genuinely helped me rethink my GTM positioning.” — Ilse Brookes

“This was the workshop I didn’t know I needed.” — Naomi Isaacs

For Anago Marketing, it’s proof that when you assemble curious, optimistic, gritty founders in a room with intention and structure—breakthroughs become inevitable.

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A Community That Wants More

Dozens of guests ended the day with the same question:

“When is the next one?”

The answers were consistent:

“I’m definitely coming back.” — Paul K Roberts
“Highly recommended for any founder looking for a tribe.” — Candice Grobler
“This platform is authentic, honest, and incredibly needed.” — Nick Dreyer
“Some rooms energise you without even trying. Founders Café is one of them.” — Ilse Brookes

One attendee may have said it best:

“I arrived curious. I left inspired by the calibre of talent in that room.” — De Wet de Villiers

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And then… the cherry on top

Art icon Derric van Rensburg gifting a painting.
Binance sponsoring professional headshots.
Immense gift bags filled with products from brilliant local founders.
Coffee strong enough to power a startup through Series A.

As one guest put it:

“Listen, the gift bags were epic and the coffee—yoh…” — Paul K Roberts

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Why This Matters for Brands

At Anago Marketing, we believe brands grow when:

• They create spaces for their communities to show up as themselves.

• They design experiences that feel intentional, human, and high-value.

• They build platforms—not just promotions.

Founders Café is becoming exactly that: not an event series, but a movement of thinkers, builders, and brave South Africans betting on the future together.

And we are proud to help build it.

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To all who attended — thank you.

You brought the energy.
You made the magic.
You proved, once again, why South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is something the world should not underestimate.

See you at the next one.