Trio turn wild idea into successful formula

“Last night still feels surreal. I’ve been overwhelmed by messages of congratulations from friends, family, clients, and colleagues from around the world. It shows how much reach this event has,” said Joshua Kadish when he accepted the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards on 17 November.

Along with his partners, Jordan Hertz and Marom Mishan, they make up the very suave-looking leadership of forward-thinking fintech company, Sourcefin.

The trio, all under the age of 33, were among 19 nominees in their category.

Dionne Hirschowitz, the chief executive of Eric Ellerine Trust and one of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards judges, presented the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award in honour of her father, who passed away last December. Before announcing the winners, she recalled that her father’s biggest passions in life were South Africa and supporting entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential.

Accepting the award, Kadish said, “To thrive as an entrepreneur one must have both good mentorship and a great support system.” He thanked his mentors for their guidance and trust that allowed him to transform an idea into a thriving business.

Despite negative perceptions about South African governance, these three young entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to support SMMEs (small, medium, and micro enterprises) in a challenging environment. They turned systemic obstacles into growth opportunities by offering fintech solutions that combine advanced automation and data-driven insights with a human touch.

Building a business off the back of a wild idea is something, Kadish admitted, not many would support. He thanked his wife and family for theirs, recalling the day he announced to them that he was leaving his legal profession to build a start-up focused on funding government tenders.

Sourcefin, Kadish said, “is a force for positive change; born to enable the forgotten SMMEs by empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth”. He thanked his partners in both the government and private sectors for believing in the business and granting them the opportunity to make a tangible impact on South Africa.

Their business provides financial assistance, focused on empowering black-owned businesses, youth, and women who struggle to get support from traditional banks and funders, and it helps with supply chain, procurement, and legal aspects.

Hertz acknowledged the dynamic team of young, driven professionals behind Sourcefin, saying, “We’re all driven by a shared vision of a thriving South Africa, a nation where our community flourishes with opportunities and growth. Together, we’ll continue to push boundaries and pave the way for future entrepreneurs and leaders.”

Said Mishan, “Receiving recognition from our Jewish community, which has always valued entrepreneurship and innovation, makes this moment especially meaningful. At our core, we are driven by the Jewish principle of ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world through meaningful action.”

Sourcefin is just getting started, Mishan said, appealing to government and business leaders to help expand its positive impact across South Africa.

Said Kadish, “The recognition is testament to the hard work, resilience, and vision that not only drives me, but the incredible community that has supported me on this journey. I hope this achievement inspires others to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to our collective success as a community.”