Tofaa (Pty) Ltd is a South African cleantech company developing an AI-powered smart water management solution that helps industries, institutions, and agricultural users reduce water losses, optimise usage, and improve operational efficiency. The system combines affordable smart sensors, IoT connectivity, and data analytics to provide real-time monitoring, leak detection, and actionable insights. With an easy-to-use web and mobile dashboard, you can track consumption, prevent waste, and make informed decisions that lower costs and improve performance.
Tofaa’s primary market includes high water-use sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, commercial facilities, and municipal infrastructure. Initial traction is focused on manufacturing in Port Elizabeth alongside growing opportunities in agriculture, where the solution supports precision irrigation for both smallholder and commercial farmers. The business delivers clear financial and environmental value. Users can achieve up to 15–40% water savings, reduce energy costs linked to pumping, and minimise operational risks caused by leaks or shortages. In agriculture, the system also contributes to improved yields and more efficient resource use.
Tofaa operates a scalable model combining hardware sales, installation, and recurring subscription revenue. The company also supports local economic development by training technicians for deployment and maintenance. Aligned with key sustainability goals, including clean water access, climate resilience, and economic growth. As a GCIP-SA 2025/2026 semifinalist, Tofaa is positioned to scale a high-impact, data-driven solution addressing water scarcity, food security, and climate resilience across emerging markets

Basil Energetics is a company that provides renewable energy solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Their services include the design, installation, and maintenance of solar PV systems, energy storage systems, and energy management systems. They aim to help their clients reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs through the use of sustainable and innovative technologies. The company is based in India and has a team of experienced engineers and technicians to provide quality services to their customers.

Prodecologia (NVF Prodekologia) develops technology and equipment for separating and recovering the components of end-of-life solar panels, alongside a broader line of magnetic, electrostatic, and sensor-pneumatic separators for material processing. Its solar-panel innovation enables the re-use of about 95% of a panel's glass - the single most valuable component - turning a difficult recycling problem into recoverable material for new panels. The company's strengths are technical (around 25% higher component-separation efficiency than competitors), technological (solving the customer's process problem rather than only selling machines), and organizational (tailored solutions with installation, commissioning, author supervision, and rapid service response). Recycling a single solar panel cuts CO2 emissions by about 67% compared with primary production. Prodecologia follows a B2B model targeting European enterprises that recycle solar panels.

ThermTrap is developing a latent thermal energy storage system (LHTES) designed to increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs by harnessing untapped renewable or waste heat sources. In response to the global climate crisis and aligned with international frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal, the solution offers a scalable and sustainable alternative to conventional energy storage systems. Unlike sensible thermal systems, the company's LHTES units can store the same amount of energy in a much smaller volume, thanks to their use of phase change materials (PCMs). These units operate near constant temperatures during charging and discharging, allowing for efficient energy transfer. Compared to chemical thermal storage systems, they are significantly safer, more cost-effective, and easier to control, avoiding the complex and hazardous requirements of chemical reaction management. 

ALGBIO treats wastewater sewage and captures CO2 with microalgae to produce biofuels, bioplastics, biomaterials and generate carbon credits. Algae are desirable as a source of biofuel as they have a high yield of oil and can flourish on land where other plants can not be produced. As plants, algae can grow with carbon dioxide, sunlight, and nutrients. ALGBIO harvests biomass and turns it into gasoline or black coal, which can be sent to refineries to be converted into chemical or transport fuel. With adequate research and development, biofuel, bioplastic and biomaterials from algae could be a price-effective alternative for petroleum based options.

ALGBIO’s circular economy model provides zero waste policy by maximizing resource utilization and minimizing waste with bioplastic production from algal waste too. ALGBIO enables the transition from a fossil based economy to sustainable manufacturing by providing waste management, carbon capture and renewables.

The team focuses on addressing the high cost of metal-intensive ballast fastening systems for solar power plants. The proposed solution is to replace the metal concrete guide element with prestressed concrete, which is a lightweight and cost-effective alternative. This can be achieved by manufacturing the necessary elements at two enterprises in Moldova and assembling a more economical ballast mounting system for photovoltaic panels. The use of prestressed concrete reduces the amount of metal required and lowers the cost of the system. It also reduces assembly time and can be used for buildings and roofs with low load-bearing capacity. The solution aims to provide a ready-to-use ballast system for fastening photovoltaic panels on roofs. The target market includes installers of ballast rooftop solar power plants, and the potential impact includes cost savings and reduced installation time. The leadership team consists of the founder, who has experience in the construction and sales of solar power plants, and their wife, who contributes precise questioning skills. The funding request is made to support the implementation of the business idea and ensure economic security for the family.

Ramer is an AI-powered B2B SaaS platform that automatically checks export documents for International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) rules and mandatory international regulations, including EU ICS2 requirements and Green Deal-related compliance. By identifying errors before shipment, Ramer helps businesses prevent costly document rejections, customs delays and unnecessary operational risks through its patented "Zero Rejection" technology. By replacing fragmented manual workflows with a fully digital process, Ramer increases operational efficiency by 73% and reduces administrative costs for SMEs by 40–50%. The platform also enables 100% paperless "Clean Trade", eliminating the need for 15–20 printed pages per shipment and reducing an estimated 77 kg of CO₂-equivalent emissions per customs declaration.

G&D Sorption Green Development is a startup from Türkiye that has developed an electricity-free industrial cooling system transforming low-grade waste heat into chilled water for use in process cooling and air conditioning. By harnessing waste heat without external energy input, the G&D system reduces operational energy demand and eliminates the carbon footprint associated with traditional HVAC systems. Its compact and lightweight adsorber bed enables high performance even at low flow rates and moderate temperatures (50–90°C, 3–5 m³/h), extending applicability to facilities with limited waste heat outputs. The system includes AI-supported control software that adapts performance to varying operating conditions, improving efficiency and automation. Using water and silica gel as working mediums, the chiller avoids toxic or ozone-depleting refrigerants. G&D systems are suitable for diverse sectors including metallurgy, food processing, ship cooling, geothermal plants, solar facilities, and energy-intensive industries. By replacing electricity-powered cooling units, each G&D installation can reduce CO₂ emissions equivalent to over 4,000 trees annually.

Bionome is a biotechnology company developing alternative production methods for high-purity cannabidiol (CBD) using photosynthetic microorganisms. The company focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of cannabinoid production through biotechnology-driven, controlled cultivation systems. Bionome’s core technology is based on genetically engineered microalgae cultivated in lab-scale bioreactors, enabling the biosynthesis of CBD without conventional plant cultivation or chemical synthesis. The system operates in closed, solar-powered bioreactors and is designed to significantly reduce land and water requirements while avoiding the use of pesticides, heavy metals and solvent-based chemical processes. The technology is applicable to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and wellness industries requiring consistent, high-purity cannabinoid inputs produced under controlled conditions.