Liso Soldati

Liso Soldati, 34, is building a generation of young changemakers through entrepreneurship education and digital storytelling. Liso leads national innovation challenges and coordinates student entrepreneurship initiatives at universities across the country. With a background in Accounting and Entrepreneurial Development, Liso’s pivot to creative strategy was sparked by a crisis: the Covid-19 pandemic. While digitising NGO programmes, he recognised a gap in support for young professionals. That led to the founding of Soldati, a creative collective helping youth-and women-led businesses design effective digital solutions, while also creating real work experience for young creatives entering the job market. His most impactful initiative to date is the MTN Digital Innovation Challenge, which reached over 130 teams at 22 universities in 2025. Through Enactus, Liso mentors students in business planning, systems thinking, and execution. He also trains youth in branding, digital tools, and client-facing work, often launching their very first project or product. Liso champions a philosophy of raising your hand for every opportunity: “Put your hand up to lead, serve, and learn.”

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Accounting, University of the Free State
• Certificate in Entrepreneurial Development, University of the Free State
• Entrepreneurship Facilitation (STEP programme), Leuphana University, Germany
• Postgraduate diploma in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, University of KwaZulu-Natal (*in progress)

• Founded Soldati  – creating a platform for young creatives to gain real work experience and relevant skills while delivering high-quality solutions
• Led the MTN Digital Innovation Challenge, which attracted more than 130 teams from 22 universities in 2025
• Mentored and coordinated over 1,000 students annually for more than five years, with several mentees later featured in the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Sunday World Unsung Heroes

• Mlungisi Sanyaka, USC Business, was the first to offer an opportunity to consult professionally while still a student. Under his mentorship, skills in contract negotiation and project coordination were developed — including co-organising the Business Funding Expo, then the largest of its kind in the Free State
• Nkosenhle Hlophe, founder of Kenako Marketing, is a current source of inspiration. His transition from an unrelated field of study to building a respected marketing agency strongly resonates with my journey.
• Seth Godin’s writing continues to shape perspectives on value, marketing and creative leadership.