Fungiwoongi

Waste Beneficiation

Fungiwoongi transforms post-consumer plastic into high-end, design-driven furniture, proving that sustainable materials can be genuinely desirable rather than eco-compromised. It collects plastic through its YapomogaBox reverse-vending machines, then shreds and thermally processes it into marble-patterned recycled sheets, which are combined with FSC-certified wood and finished with CNC precision and hand craftsmanship. The result is durable, moisture-resistant, Japandi-style furniture with unique textures and a fully traceable, circular story from bottle to object. Fungiwoongi's hybrid model spans B2C product sales, B2B custom solutions, wholesale of recycled sheets to designers, and a future franchise/microfactory model. Beyond closing the plastic loop, the company creates employment for displaced and disabled people. Its YapomogaBox network of over 50 reverse-vending machines diverts post-consumer plastic from landfill; with several years in recycling and brand collaborations including Shell, SOCAR, and Metro.

Contact

Rufat Raimov

rufat@yapomoga.com

Country:     Advanced Accelerator Ukraine
Year:     2025

Zuka

Waste Beneficiation

Zuka Yethu provides affordable and sustainable waste management solutions to address socio-economic challenges such as unemployment and food insecurity. The company uses plant matter residue in combination with the biotechnology Vermi-composting to produce a liquid-organic compost and pest repellent formula known as Zuka Gud Grow. This product nourishes the soil and acts as an insect repellent for a wide range of organic produce. Zuka Yethu also conducts research to produce a range of products that target specific types of crops and works with communities to eliminate food insecurity and create long-term sustainability. The company has received recognition for its innovative solutions and is involved in outreach programs that empower different communities.

Contact

Sizwe Mnamatha

czwe13@gmail.com

Country:     South Africa
Year:     2015

Genescotec

Renewable Energy

Genescotec is an energy service company based in Moldova, founded in 2014. The company focuses on developing market-ready solutions and business models in the sustainable energy and climate sectors. Their main goal is to address the transition to electric transport by creating a robust EV charging infrastructure coupled with photovoltaics to increase the adoption of electric vehicles and generate clean energy for transportation. Genescotec aims to solve the problem of limited access to charging stations for residents of multi-apartment residential areas. They plan to install EV chargers near residential buildings, utilizing existing infrastructure such as parking spaces and rooftops for photovoltaic installations. The company also offers crowdfunding opportunities, allowing electric vehicle owners to contribute to the development of the charging infrastructure and benefit from cheaper charging rates. Genescotec's innovative service is in the form of providing comprehensive EV charging solutions for the residential sector.

Contact

Evgheni Camenscic

camenscic.evgheni@gmail.com

Country:     Republic of Moldova
Year:     2022

Kipitfresh

Energy Efficiency

Kipitfresh is a pioneering solution aimed at reducing food waste and improving access to uncontaminated food in Nigeria. With a focus on cold technology, they offer solar-powered mobile reefers, refrigerated trucks, and cold storage services for fruit farmers. By addressing the inefficiencies in post-harvest processing and storage, Kipitfresh aims to preserve food nutrients and minimize contamination, ultimately promoting a healthier lifestyle. Through their cold-chain-as-a-service model, temperature monitoring, and electronic wallets, they ensure the safe transport and retention of value from harvest to consumers. With a successful revenue model and $100,000 in funding, Kipitfresh plans to expand their services to more fruit communities and develop user-friendly software applications.

Contact

Jacob Ugbodaga

kipitfresh@outlook.com

Country:     Nigeria
Year:     2022

Graduated Man of Steel

Transportation

The company developed a solution E-pacer 100 - a heavy-duty electric cargo bike designed to empower waste reclaimers and recyclers in informal and underserved communities. With a load capacity of 750–850 kg (including rider), the bike enables recyclers to cover long distances efficiently while transporting large volumes of collected waste. Targeting buy-back centers and SMMEs in South Africa’s low-barrier recycling economy, the E-pacer 100 offers an affordable, sustainable transport alternative to carts or trucks, which are often inaccessible or unaffordable. Developed by recyclers for recyclers, the bike supports dignified livelihoods, improves income margins, and addresses transportation challenges in the circular economy. It is a practical tool for those who currently rely on makeshift or unsafe transport methods in their daily work.

Contact

Lunga Calvin Mahlangu

Country:     South Africa
Year:     2024

RePG Enerji Sistemleri

Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy
Waste Beneficiation

RePG is a 100% renewable energy solution inspired by nature. It is a patented energy (electricity, heating, cooling) and water-from-air production process that uses waste as renewable energy. RePG's technology can generate energy ranging from 1-25kWh in open spaces like residences, hotels and offices. It also works in electric vehicles (cars, boats, drones) from 1-25kWs as a functional range extender, and can transform the heat discharged from servers, data storage and network devices into electricity while cooling down the ambient temperature. RePG's goal is to offer new technologies to change air conditioning, cooling and ventilation systems for good.

Contact

Country:     Türkiye
Year:     2023

Advocates for Green Enviroment

Green Buildings
Waste Beneficiation

Advocates for Green Environment is a startup company focused on the development of sustainable building materials derived from waste streams. The company operates within the construction and built environment sector, with an emphasis on resource recovery and material innovation. Its activities center on transforming waste into functional construction products, contributing to circular economy principles by reducing landfill disposal and supporting more sustainable material supply chains. Through research, product development, and applied innovation, Advocates for Green Environment works to integrate eco-conscious practices into conventional construction processes. The company’s work supports environmentally responsible development and the creation of more sustainable communities by promoting the use of alternative materials with reduced environmental impact.

Contact

Tebogo Mashifana

Country:     South Africa
Year:     2024

Izem Consulting

Energy Efficiency

Specialist in energy management since 2016, IZEM Consulting offers innovative and sustainable solutions to improve energy efficiency. The company provides a full range of services, including energy audits, real-time energy consumption monitoring, and expert support in the energy transition. Their solution, VisualMetric, offers detailed analyses and personalized recommendations to optimize energy efficiency. As an officially recognized partner of the National Agency for the Promotion of SMEs (Maroc PME), they help industrial clients benefit from the TATWIR Croissance Verte program, facilitating their transition to more efficient and environmentally friendly energy use.

Contact

Mohamed El Morabit

Country:     Morocco
Year:     2017

SOTILMA

Water Efficiency

Sotilma develops intelligent water metering and irrigation management systems for agricultural applications, with a focus on addressing water efficiency challenges in water-stressed contexts. The company’s solutions are designed for use in crop production systems where irrigation efficiency, climate variability, and resource constraints directly affect productivity and food security. Sotilma’s technology combines adaptive artificial intelligence with solar-powered hardware to optimize irrigation scheduling based on weather forecasts and real-time field conditions. The system operates autonomously, including in low-connectivity environments, and enables farmers to monitor and control irrigation through the Sotilma Connect digital platform. By reducing water losses and improving irrigation precision, the solution supports more efficient use of water and energy inputs. The company’s systems are applicable across irrigated agriculture, particularly in smallholder and commercial farming contexts in regions facing water scarcity. Sotilma’s approach is intended to support climate-resilient agricultural practices by enabling data-driven water management without reliance on continuous internet access or grid electricity.

Contact

Samba Thioube

Country:     Senegal
Year:     2024

NeSea Bio material and Marine Technologies

NeSea develops sustainable artificial reef systems designed to protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems. As marine habitat loss, declining biodiversity, and increasing environmental pressures continue to threaten coastal areas, the solution provides an ecosystem-based approach to marine restoration.

Contact

Nermin Sena Özger

nerminsena@gmail.com

Country:     Inclusive Green Transition
Year:     2025