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Outsourced CFO to Host 2026 Scale-Up Conference in Cape Town

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Outsourced CFO (OCFO) has announced that it will host its annual Scale-Up Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The in-person event, taking place at Innovation City, will bring together founders, executives, entrepreneurs and advisors for an evening of focused discussion on what it truly takes to scale a business sustainably.

OCFO is a leading financial strategy and cloud accounting firm headquartered in Cape Town. The firm provides fractional CFO services, cloud accounting implementation and strategic finance advisory to growth-focused businesses locally and internationally. By partnering with entrepreneurs and executive teams, the firm helps strengthen financial visibility, improve governance and build the systems required for sustainable, long-term growth.

Against this backdrop, the conference seeks to address a central question facing business leaders today: how can growth be achieved without compromising financial stability, operational control or long-term value?

While the Scale-Up Conference is particularly relevant to businesses navigating expansion, it is equally valuable to founders in the earlier stages of their journey. Establishing strong financial systems, clear reporting structures and disciplined decision-making from the outset can materially reduce friction later. By understanding the principles of scale early, founders are better positioned to build companies that are resilient, fundable and capable of sustainable growth.

Louw Barnardt, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OCFO, said the firm continues to observe that scaling challenges often stem from foundations that were never properly laid.

“Founders are naturally focused on winning customers and proving their model in the early days,” said Barnardt. “That drive is essential. However, if financial visibility, governance and internal accountability are treated as secondary, those gaps become far more costly during periods of growth. The purpose of this conference is to help business leaders anticipate those pressure points and address them proactively.”

The programme will explore the structural elements that underpin successful scale-ups, including strategic clarity, financial readiness and leadership evolution. Rather than focusing solely on growth metrics, the discussion will consider how capital is allocated, how performance is measured and how leadership teams can maintain alignment as complexity increases.

ScaleUp Company South Africa has partnered with OCFO as a sponsor of the 2026 conference. ScaleUp Company works closely with leadership teams, bringing proven scaling frameworks, real accountability and a structured scale-up community designed to support disciplined execution. The partnership reflects a shared belief that scaling takes more than ambition or energy. It requires strong frameworks, operational cadence and leadership teams willing to engage in the work required for sustainable growth.

At the conference, the theme of scalable growth will be unpacked through the lens of aligned numbers, people and systems. Barnardt noted that collaboration within the ecosystem is essential if scale-up businesses are to move beyond short-term acceleration and into durable performance.

The event has an exciting line up of keynote speakers, who are all leaders in their field that will provide attendees with useful insights, sharing a depth of knowledge and experience that will be truly valuable to those seeking to grow and scale their business.

The speaker line-up includes Bolawana “Mags” Shivanda, Chief Executive Officer of DigitalShero Media Group. Shivanda founded the award-winning digital marketing and media solutions group in 2015 and has since built teams across Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Nairobi. She is also the founder of the BloemGirlsRock Foundation, which focuses on skills development and youth empowerment initiatives in the Free State. A recognised voice within South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Shivanda is expected to share insights on building growth that is not only visible but structurally sound.

Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba CA(SA), Non-Executive Director at OCFO, will also address attendees. A seasoned corporate finance professional with experience across audit, valuations, asset management and funding advisory for SMMEs, Vabaza-Mvandaba serves on several boards, including African Phoenix Investments, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and CPUT, where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. A SAICA Top 35 Under 35 finalist, she is known for combining analytical rigour with a people-centred leadership approach. Her perspective will focus on governance, financial clarity and decision-making that withstands pressure during periods of expansion.

Nicholas Thiede, Co-Founder and ScaleUp Coach at ScaleUp Company South Africa, is also among the featured speakers at the conference. An expert in EOS and Scaling Up methodologies, Thiede has more than 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and executive, having built and led companies with teams ranging from 20 to over 160 employees. He works with leadership teams navigating the strain that often accompanies growth, helping them strengthen strategic focus, execution rhythm and operational accountability in order to scale sustainably.

The event provides attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with experienced practitioners and peers facing similar challenges, while also creating space for meaningful networking with fellow business owners navigating their own growth journeys. The in-person format has been intentionally retained to encourage candid discussion and meaningful connection within Cape Town’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Barnardt emphasised that scaling should be approached as a deliberate transition rather than an automatic progression.

“Growth should not be chaotic,” he said. “When the right structures are in place, scaling becomes a controlled process. Leaders are able to make decisions with confidence because they have reliable information and clear strategic priorities. That is the mindset we want to encourage.”

Details of the Event:

Ticket numbers are limited and those who wish to attend are encouraged to secure their ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

About Outsourced CFO:
Outsourced CFO is a global financial advisory firm supporting more than 1,300 organisations across over 25 industries. From its roots in South Africa, the company has expanded internationally and now boasts a presence in Cape Town, London, and New York. Outsourced CFO provides a complete suite of services including outsourced CFO support, accounting, compliance, strategic financial guidance, and talent placement. By combining deep financial expertise with modern technology, the firm helps entrepreneurs and high-growth companies gain clarity, raise capital, and build sustainable businesses. For more information visit www.ocfo.com.

Outsourced CFO to Host 2026 Scale-Up Conference in Cape Town

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.