Khwezi Innovations addresses the environmental challenge of plastic waste caused by the improper disposal of disposable latex gloves. Commonly used in industrial, medical, and everyday settings, these gloves often end up in landfills and waterways, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. In response, the company has developed a biodegradable 2-in-1 glove sanitizer that combines the functionality of a protective glove and hand sanitizer in a single, eco-friendly product. The glove provides up to one hour of protection, then peels off and dissolves in water within minutes, leaving no waste behind. Made from locally sourced organic materials in South Africa, the product supports environmental health while stimulating local green business. This solution offers a sustainable alternative to traditional gloves and contributes to reducing marine plastic pollution and landfill burden.

EntomoNutris is a biotechnology company that's dedicated to developing sustainable, insect-based protein solutions for high-quality pet food. With their innovative approach to pet nutrition, they're creating a brighter future for pets and the planet. Their commitment to sustainability and animal welfare sets them apart in the pet food industry, and they're proud to be leading the way towards a more sustainable future for all.

Their product, NatFeed, is rich in calcium and has a very high crude protein content (50-60%) and higher amino acid content than chicken. Proteins from black soldier fly larvae are also highly digestible and much more sustainable than conventional animal proteins. Their high protein content and high digestibility make them ideal feed for pets.

They also make fertilizer for plants in the form of NatFertil, which is rich in nutrients (NPK 2-6-3) directly assimilated by plants. It is also rich in organic matter (40%) and improves soil structure, increases water retention and restores the beneficial microbial flora of the soil. Finally, it contains substances boosting plant immune system (chitin). 100% organic made from black soldier fly droppings.

Optimimax is a Turkish technology company developing AI-based software tools to support sustainability and efficiency in textile manufacturing. The company focuses on addressing environmental impacts at the product design stage, where material choices and production parameters significantly influence downstream resource use and emissions. Optimimax’s solution, the EcoDesign AI Assistant, is an AI platform that enables real-time environmental impact forecasting and product-level life cycle analysis during the design process. The software analyzes carbon, water and chemical footprints across different design and production scenarios, supporting early identification of inefficiencies and environmental risks. It also includes anomaly detection capabilities to flag deviations in design workflows that may lead to increased waste or resource use. The platform is designed to integrate with existing enterprise systems, including ERP, MRP, MES and textile workflow systems, allowing manufacturers to incorporate sustainability metrics into established operational processes. EcoDesign AI Assistant supports supply chain-level and product family-level assessments, enabling comparative analysis and continuous improvement in low-impact product design. Optimimax’s solution is applicable to textile and apparel manufacturers seeking to align product development with ESG requirements, regulatory compliance and resource-efficient production practices.

Afrinet Power Tech is dedicated to providing clean energy solutions and improving access to reliable power in underserved communities. With a significant portion of Nigeria's population lacking regular electricity access, the company focuses on decentralized solar home systems and mini-grids as cost-effective solutions. By collaborating with ecosystem partners, Afrinet Power Tech aims to transform the energy landscape and enhance energy access for rural populations. Their work addresses the energy deficit in Nigeria and drives economic growth while promoting sustainable and reliable power solutions.

Re[Sens] is a neurocosmetic brand that merges advanced neuroscience with sustainable, plastic-free packaging. Its clinically validated formulations - backed by 17 clinical studies - act on the skin-brain axis to reduce inflammation and restore resilience for sensitive skin, a fast-growing concern. What sets Re[Sens] apart is the combination of medical-grade neurocosmetics, clinical evidence, and fully biodegradable, plastic-free packaging using alternatives such as mushroom mycelium, Sulapac, and wood, placing it in a near blue-ocean category. As a professional cosmetic brand free of plastic packaging, Re[Sens] prevented around 3 tonnes of plastic waste in 2025, a figure it projects to reach roughly 20 tonnes by 2035. The company runs an asset-light model, integrating in-house R&D, formulation, and branding with GMP-certified EU manufacturing and biodegradable-packaging suppliers, and sells to distributors, aesthetic clinics, and consumers at premium positioning. Re[Sens] has strong traction across nine European markets, with active distribution partners, hundreds of aesthetic clinics, and a growing direct-to-consumer base, and has been recognised internationally, including by ELLE Japan as a prominent Ukrainian brand.

GAYNAKO addresses Senegal’s recurring forage deficit caused by climate change, reduced pastoral land, and declining nitrogen availability in natural forage. The company has developed a multinutritional feed block ("Brique Multinutritionnelle") made from agricultural residues, fish waste, and wild grasses to support livestock nutrition year-round. Based on a study assessing forage by availability, palatability, digestibility, and bromatological value, the company identified legumes—due to their nitrogen-fixing ability—and grasses from agricultural waste as key resources. These are combined with fishery by-products to create the Multinutritional Brick, an innovative nitrogen-based livestock feed. This solution addresses critical issues of forage scarcity and nitrogen deficiency in animal nutrition, contributing to more sustainable and efficient livestock farming.

ERUSUFA is a Turkish startup that developed SUF@ - a self-sufficient urban furniture system that functions as an air purification and climate resilience tool using living microalgae. It addresses urban air pollution by capturing CO₂ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), producing oxygen through photosynthesis, and generating sustainable biomass that can be used to manufacture biodegradable components. Each SUF@ unit has the photosynthetic capacity of six adult trees. Powered entirely by solar energy and using harvested rainwater for microalgae cultivation, the unit operates independently and includes a biosensor and automation system for real-time monitoring and optimal function. It embodies circular economy principles, producing biopolymers from its own biomass, eliminating plastic intermediates, and contributing to greener, healthier urban environments. The SUF@ system is especially suited for cities with limited green space and high air pollution, offering an innovative solution that integrates ecological restoration with smart design and flexible, modular deployment.

The Thermal Battery Kettle is a low-power kettle designed to fundamentally reduce peak electricity demand associated with water heating. Conventional kettles draw 1.8–3kW and are among the largest contributors to residential peak load, particularly during morning and evening demand spikes. It is estimated that simultaneous kettle usage in homes can contribute materially (300 to 400MW) to grid spikes during peak times, contributing to grid instability and load shedding in South Africa.
The Thermal Battery Kettle addresses this by decoupling energy input from energy use. A low-power (200W) heating element gradually charges a solid-state thermal storage core, allowing energy to be stored over time rather than drawn instantaneously. When required, the stored thermal energy is released to boil water with zero electrical draw at the point of use.

This approach enables:
• Peak load reduction and improved grid stability
• Compatibility with small inverters and solar systems without costly upgrades
• A pathway to fully off-grid operation, including bundled solar-powered variants
The product is designed to be safe, unpressurized, and mechanically simple, with no moving parts beyond a user-controlled interface.
The target market includes grid-constrained households, solar users, and off-grid communities, with a clear pathway to scale across South Africa and other emerging markets facing similar energy challenges.

Red Cup Village is a unique and innovative company that specializes in providing sustainable and eco-friendly disposable food and beverage solutions. They offer a wide range of products made from renewable resources, such as plant-based materials and bioplastics, to reduce the environmental impact of single-use items. With a focus on convenience and sustainability, Red Cup Village's products include compostable cups, plates, utensils, and packaging options that are both durable and eco-conscious. Their commitment to environmental stewardship extends to their manufacturing processes, which prioritize energy efficiency and waste reduction. Red Cup Village aims to revolutionize the way we approach disposable products by offering practical and environmentally responsible alternatives for a greener future.

Edusyms is an ICT company specialising in the development and deployment of digital platforms and enterprise systems across education, healthcare, and business sectors. The company provides solutions including learner management systems, healthcare systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP), cloud hosting, fintech services, and connectivity solutions, enabling organisations to digitise operations, improve efficiency, and access scalable digital services.
As part of its innovation strategy, Edusyms has developed the Smart Rural Tech Hub, a solar-powered micro data centre designed to deliver digital infrastructure in underserved and rural communities. The solution integrates renewable energy (solar microgrid systems), modular data centres, intranet and internet connectivity, local cloud computing, and edge infrastructure to provide reliable digital services in areas with limited or no internet and unstable electricity.
The Smart Rural Tech Hub enables access to learner management systems for schools, TVET colleges, higher education institutions, and training providers, as well as business tools for SMEs, e-commerce platforms, fintech services, and connectivity for communities and institutions. This creates a self-sustaining digital ecosystem that supports service delivery, economic participation, and digital inclusion.
By combining clean energy with edge computing, the solution reduces reliance on traditional grid infrastructure while lowering environmental impact. The model is scalable and designed for replication across rural regions in South Africa and other emerging markets, positioning Edusyms as both a technology provider and a digital infrastructure enabler.