The Top 10 finalists for the 2025 FNF GreenPitch Challenge have been selected, from more than 200 entries. The finalists represent various green economy investment opportunity sectors, including circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation,
“At the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), we believe entrepreneurship is key to addressing climate and sustainability challenges while unlocking the economic growth our country needs. We’re inspired by the vision and drive of this year’s Top 10 finalists and proud to support them through the GreenPitch Challenge, together with our partners and investors, as they scale their solutions for a greener future,” said Kwezi Sogoni from FNF.
These early stage start-up and pre-growth phase green businesses will now be preparing to pitch to a panel of expert judges at a “shark tank-style” hybrid networking event, hosted on 4 September 2025 in Cape Town. The in-person event is by invite only, but those interested in green economy innovation can register to attend the event virtually here.
The Top 10 will also be attending an investment readiness workshop in August, hosted by RMB Ventures in the build up to the pitch event. “RMB Ventures is excited to see a strong line up of finalists for this year’s national GreenPitch Challenge. We look forward to once again supporting the finalists with the workshop designed to provide insight into the skills they will need to succeed as a startup in South Africa, such as go to market strategy, legal considerations and pitching for the various rounds of funding,” said Ewan Gray from RMB Ventures.
The category winners and finalists of the 2025 FNF GreenPitch Challenge will be awarded a range of cash and in-kind prizes to the value of more than R300 000. Prizes are sponsored by RMB Ventures, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa, Launchlab, Thinkroom and B-Lab Africa.
“We’re proud to support the 2025 FNF GreenPitch Challenge and the inspiring South African innovators it showcases. This year’s Top 10 offer creative solutions across key green sectors. With a focus on water and circular waste innovation, we look forward to providing post-pitch funding and mentorship to help winners grow their impact,” said Nicola Redelinghuys from Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa. .
The 2025 Top 10 are, in alphabetical order, per category:
Early stage start-up (Proof of concept e.g. pilot project running, looking for first round of seed funding)
AgriTex SoilShield (Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy): AgriTex SoilShield is a biodegradable, biocomposite mulch fabric engineered from South African agrowaste fibres pineapple leaf, hemp bast, and cotton linters bound with natural PLA and gum arabic, and infused with biochar, neem extract, and mycorrhizal spores. Designed specifically for regenerative tomato farming in dry regions, it suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, enriches soil health, and decomposes after harvest to leave no waste behind.
Arable Grow (Sustainable Agriculture, Water): Arable Grow is an agritech start-up transforming urban food production through sustainable vertical farming. They design and manufacture locally built, hydroponic systems (ranging from desktop units to container farms) that grow fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round using 90% less water. Ideal for households, restaurants, and community projects, their systems bring farming closer to consumption, reducing food miles, emissions, and chemical use. Tailored for Africa’s climate and resource challenges, Arable Grow also creates jobs, builds skills, and improves nutrition in water-stressed areas.
DC Solar Reclaim Solar module disposal and recycling (Circular Economy, Renewable Energy): DC Solar Reclaim is launching South Africa’s first dedicated end-of-life solar PV disposal and recycling service. With over 5.6 GW of solar installed and rapid growth ahead, safe, certified disposal is critical. Their service includes removal, site rehabilitation, material recovery, and regulatory compliance. They aim to secure R15 million in grant funding over three years to scale operations and infrastructure. By diverting hazardous solar waste from landfills, recovering valuable materials, and enabling circular economy practices, they create inclusive green jobs in logistics, disassembly, and site cleanup, stimulating local supply chains while supporting responsible, sustainable growth of South Africa’s solar industry.
Dominion Solutions (Circular Economy, Sustainable Agriculture): Fish Renew is a circular waste management solution that transforms fish waste from aquaculture farms and processing facilities into high-value raw materials for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. By collecting and processing offcuts, shells, and nutrient-rich water, Fish Renew produces eco-friendly products such as collagen-based ingredients. Their programme offers a structured alternative to informal disposal methods, helping fish farms reduce environmental impact, meet regulatory compliance, and unlock new revenue streams. Through consistent, professional waste collection and resource recovery, Fish Renew supports a more sustainable aquaculture sector while advancing local green economies and responsible marine resource use.
Magnetic Repulsion Motor (MRM) (Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture): The Magnetic Repulsion Motor (MRM) is a frictionless industrial motor that uses proprietary magnetic repulsion technology to replace traditional contact-based components. This results in up to 30% lower energy consumption and 90% less maintenance compared to conventional motors. Its modular design allows for easy retrofitting onto existing systems like pumps, conveyors, and HVAC units, while built-in solar/DC compatibility enables off-grid or hybrid power use without inverters. Currently at the proof-of-concept stage, the MRM is designed for high-demand sectors such as agriculture and mining, where power instability and diesel reliance drive high costs. Full product development is expected by end-2025.
Selectra’s Asset Co. (Water, wastewater): Increased sewage treatment capacity without construction costs. Selectra, in partnership with Jaeger, introduces the ShearCon® process, an innovative solution to South Africa’s wastewater infrastructure challenges. As aging treatment plants face growing urban demand and limited expansion space, ShearCon® boosts existing plant capacity by up to 50% without requiring new basins. Its compact design also enables smaller, cost-effective new builds. Locally manufactured, self-cleaning cassettes reduce operational complexity and eliminate the need for expert operators. This patented technology provides a scalable, affordable alternative to costly infrastructure overhauls, offering municipalities and utilities a practical path to improve wastewater treatment efficiency and resilience amid rising population pressures and limited public funding.
Pre-growth (Registered and trading, with sales, looking for series A funding)
Agrikey Hydroponics (Circular Economy, Sustainable Agriculture): AgriKey Hydroponics builds vertical hydroponic systems that maximise crop production in limited spaces using nutrient-rich water solutions with minimal or no soil. Their versatile structures, including towers, A-frames, pipes, and wall-mounted units, are designed for commercial farms, communities, and households, supporting crops like lettuce, spinach, herbs, and small fruits. Beyond equipment, AgriKey operates an Agrihub supplying seedlings, organic compost, and ongoing agricultural support. Having empowered over 1 000 community members and subsistence farmers, they boost food security, increase incomes, and create jobs, especially for youth, who make up 90% of their workforce. AgriKey promotes sustainable, skill-building, urban and peri-urban farming solutions.
Peco Power’s Power Brick (Renewable Energy): Peco Power is a renewable energy start-up bringing affordable, solar-powered home energy solutions to underserved communities. Its flagship product, the PowerBrick™, is a modular, plug-and-play solar system that powers lights and essential appliances. Through a rent-to-own model, customers make small monthly payments over two years, removing the barrier of upfront costs and enabling full ownership. A network of trained local entrepreneurs called Champions, support sales, installation, and maintenance, creating jobs and boosting community adoption. Peco Power’s inclusive approach combines clean energy access, financial empowerment, and local economic development, offering a scalable solution for energy-poor areas across Africa.
Roc Water Technologies (Circular Economy, Water): Clean water and salt from leachate and brine. This innovative solution treats saline wastewater to recover clean water and saleable salts using freeze crystallization, with solar evaporation as a pre-treatment. Ideal for managing high-salinity effluents (up to 220 g/L), the process removes water via ice formation, allowing selective crystallization of valuable salts. Compared to traditional evaporation or distillation, freeze crystallization is more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions. It also eliminates the need for long-term saline pond storage, reducing environmental risks. This approach provides a sustainable pathway for industries to transform waste into value, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and saline waste management challenges.
Village Bucket Water Filter (Water): Village Bucket Water Filters provide safe, clean drinking water by removing dirt, contaminants, and 99.99% of harmful pathogens, including Cholera, Typhoid, E. coli, and more. Tested and certified by the SABS and aligned with World Health Organisation standards, these filters are ideal for households using untreated water from rivers, wells, boreholes, or rainwater tanks. They require no electricity, chemicals, or replacement parts, and last for over five years. Designed for schools, clinics, and homes in underserved communities, the filters support safe drinking, cooking, and hygiene. This low-cost, high-impact solution addresses urgent water safety needs across rural and peri-urban areas.
The winners in both categories will be selected by a judging panel on the day of the event. Their decision is final. Terms & Conditions apply.