Louw Barnardt has been named a finalist in the 2025 Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The recognition highlights his leadership in growing a globally recognised financial advisory firm and celebrates South Africa’s renewed entrepreneurial confidence ahead of a pivotal year for SMEs.
-- Louw Barnardt, Co-founder and Managing Director of Outsourced CFO, has been named a finalist in the Medium Business category of the 2025 Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The recognition comes as South Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape shows renewed confidence and momentum ahead of a pivotal year for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Now in its 37th year, the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrate South Africans who have built successful, resilient businesses that contribute meaningfully to the economy. The programme has become one of the country’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence in entrepreneurship, with winners sharing in R2 million worth of prizes, including mentorship, technical support, and business exposure opportunities.
This year’s finalists represent a new generation of founders who are scaling South African innovation to global markets. For Barnardt, being named among them is both a personal milestone and a testament to the shared drive that continues to propel South African entrepreneurship forward. “It’s an honour to stand alongside some of the country’s most determined and creative business owners,” he said. “Entrepreneurship has been my calling from a young age, and it’s been a privilege to grow alongside our team, our clients, and our partners who share that same passion for building meaningful, sustainable businesses.”
Since earning the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year title in 2018, Barnardt has steered Outsourced CFO into a globally recognised financial advisory firm, supporting founders in 34+ countries with a presence in Cape Town, London, and New York. The company’s mission is to help business owners scale confidently by providing world-class CFO services, financial systems, and strategic support without the cost of a full-time executive team.
The 2025 competition takes place at a time of significant opportunity for South African SMEs. According to the latest Business Partners SME Confidence Index, 86% of business owners cite access to finance as critical to their growth, while 83% emphasise the need for mentorship. The newly introduced National Small Enterprise Amendment Act aims to simplify access to both financial and non-financial support, though experts agree that private-sector involvement remains essential for long-term success.
This year’s awards also coincide with South Africa’s hosting of the 2025 G20 and B20 summits, bringing together global economies representing 85% of the world’s GDP. With international attention focused on the country, the finalists will have an exceptional opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of South African enterprise on a global stage.
For Barnardt, the recognition is both a celebration and a responsibility. “Awards like this remind us that entrepreneurship is not a solo journey. It takes vision, teamwork, and a supportive ecosystem to turn ideas into impact. I’m incredibly proud of how far our business community has come, and I’m excited for where we’re heading next.”
For more information about Outsourced CFO, or to contact the team, visit www.ocfo.com.
About the company: 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.
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