Empowering South Africa’s green innovators through funding and mentorship

The FNF GreenPitch Challenge 2025, delivered by GreenCape and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), RMB, and Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa, celebrated South Africa’s most promising early-stage innovators tackling sustainability challenges across water, agriculture, renewable energy, and the circular economy.

UK and South Africa water and waste experts are sharing their expertise within the sector. This knowledge exchange is so valuable for helping the UK-South Africa Water Security and Waste Circularity Global Innovation Network community to grow and ensure the water and waste industry in both the UK and South Africa continues to develop.

Through a national open call, entrepreneurs developing transformative green technologies were invited to pitch to investors and partners for the chance to receive cash prizes and tailored mentorship.

As a partner organisation in the 2025 Challenge, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa supported the water and waste category winners with cash prizes and UK-led mentorship focused on market expansion, digital transformation, and investor readiness to strengthen their business models and accelerate international growth.

The 2025 recipients demonstrated strong potential to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic impact while contributing to South Africa’s growing green innovation ecosystem.

Spotlight 1: Arable Grow

Sustainable agriculture and water innovation

Arable Grow is an agritech start-up and Innovate UK prize winner transforming urban food production through sustainable vertical farming systems. Their locally manufactured hydroponic units, from compact desktop farms to modular container systems, produce fresh, pesticide-free crops year-round while using significantly less water than traditional farming.

Their mission is to bring food production closer to communities, reducing food miles, emissions, and waste while creating jobs and improving nutrition in water-scarce regions. Arable Grow’s model also supports small-scale entrepreneurs, restaurants, and hospitality groups looking for fresh, reliable, locally grown produce.

Following their win, Arable Grow received a cash prize and access to a UK-led mentorship programme through Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa, focusing on market entry, digital transformation, and technology integration to support scalability and international growth, alongside guidance on UK agrifood innovation, vertical farming trends, funding pathways, and partnership opportunities.

Mentorship focus areas and UK partners

Micrea Ltd – Investor readiness and introductions

• Helped identify and engage with the right investors aligned with Arable Grow’s stage and funding needs.
• Facilitated introductions to relevant UK and international investors.

Envirovue – Market access and growth

• Refined go-to-market and customer acquisition strategies.
• Supported pilot-to-scale transitions and premium product positioning.

Barefoot Lightning Ltd – Digital transformation and AI

• Helped digitise business processes and strengthen data resilience.
• Integrated practical AI tools to enhance efficiency and scalability.

Spotlight 2: Village Water Filters

Water innovation and social impact

Village Water Filters, an Innovate UK prize winner and People’s Pick Award recipient, provides a simple yet powerful solution for safe, clean drinking water in underserved communities. Their durable, low-cost filters remove 99.999% of harmful pathogens including E. coli, Cholera, and Typhoid, without electricity, chemicals, or replacement parts. Designed for schools, clinics, and households, the filters last for over five years and meet both SABS certification and WHO standards.

Beyond their technical innovation, Village Water Filters’ model demonstrates strong social impact by improving public health, reducing household costs, and empowering communities through access to safe water.

As a recipient of both an Innovate UK prize and the People’s Pick Award, Village Water Filters received a cash grant and UK-led mentorship through Global Alliance Africa, focused on strengthening market strategies, converting pilots into long-term contracts, and improving customer traction.

Mentorship focus areas and UK partners

Envirovue – Market and growth strategy

• Improved customer traction and conversion from pilots to contracts.
• Built brand credibility and strengthened negotiation approaches.

Looking ahead

Both Arable Grow and Village Water Filters exemplify the innovation and impact potential emerging from South Africa’s expanding green economy. Through Innovate UK’s Global Alliance Africa programme, the winners have gained access to UK expertise, networks, and mentorship that will help them expand their reach, attract new partnerships, and strengthen their capacity to deliver lasting environmental and social value.

This collaboration highlights how international partnerships and targeted post-pitch support can accelerate Africa’s transition toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and circular economy.

The GreenPitch Challenge once again proved the depth of innovation and purpose within South Africa’s green economy. Supporting these entrepreneurs goes far beyond a single competition. It is about building bridges between local innovators and global expertise to unlock long-term impact. We are proud to stand behind ventures like Arable Grow and Village Water Filters as they grow, scale, and strengthen sustainability from the ground up.

– Nicola Redelinghuys, Knowledge Transfer Manager, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa