“Be more aggressive – not physically, but in pursuit of opportunity.” – Allon Raiz
In this episode of The Incredible Machines podcast, we sit down with Allon Raiz, founder of Raizcorp and one of South Africa’s most revered voices in entrepreneurship and business mentorship.
Allon's story is grounded in the power of long-term thinking, the value of failure, and the critical role of mentorship. Whether you're an aspiring founder, an intrapreneur inside a large organisation, or a creative spirit looking to build something from nothing, this conversation offers a compelling blueprint for navigating the highs and lows of business with integrity and grit.
Key Highlights from Episode 27
In a fast-paced world driven by instant gratification and flashy success stories, Allon Raiz holds a long-term approach to entrepreneurship. For him, the true measure of success isn’t how quickly you grow, but how well you endure.
He talks about the early years of Raizcorp: when the phones weren’t ringing, investors weren’t interested, and even friends questioned the model. It took five years before the business gained solid traction and now, Raizcorp has grown into one of Africa’s most respected business incubators.
Allon’s emphasis on long-term thinking is a call to entrepreneurs across South Africa and beyond: if you're building something meaningful, don’t rush the process. Stay patient, stay disciplined, and build something that outlasts you.
One of Allon's most striking insights is that there is no one-size-fits-all entrepreneur. There’s no singular personality type that guarantees success. Some are introverts, others extroverts, some are analytical, others deeply creative. The only consistent traits are a high tolerance for uncertainty, a hunger to prove yourself, and the ability to learn fast and execute faster.
Allon doesn’t romanticise failure, but he insists we learn to sit with it. His first solo retail promotion bombed, and his first funded venture went under. But those lessons were necessary to build what came next.
“Every excuse I could think of, I had covered: education, mentorship, funding. I still failed.
And I had to face the truth, it was me.”
That brutal self-awareness turned failure into fuel. It also informs how he evaluates entrepreneurs today: not by their current success, but by how they respond to setbacks.
Advertising Campaign Mentioned
Allan Gray’s ad campaign: real returns come from discipline, foresight, and resisting short-term gratification. This perfectly mirrors Allon’s entrepreneurial philosophy of playing the long game, resisting “sirens” of distraction, and enduring the pain of early struggles to build lasting impact.
Final Takeaway: Legacy Over Hype
In a world chasing fast wins and quick clout, Allon Raiz is a reminder that delayed gratification and sustainable entrepreneurship are about endurance. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a business that lasts, Allon Raiz is the mentor you didn’t know you needed.