Green economy nonprofit GreenCape and civic education nonprofit Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has opened entries for the 2025 GreenPitch Challenge and invites innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy innovation business ideas to enter.

The green economy innovation business ideas stand a chance to pitch to a panel of judges at an event in Cape Town in September.

Entries close at noon on July 4 and the digital entry form is available online on the 2025 GreenPitch Challenge website.

To enter, green economy innovation business ideas have to be positioned within at least one of the green economy sectors, namely renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water, sustainable mobility, circular economy and waste management.

The businesses entering the challenge can be based anywhere in South Africa.

Any green economy early-stage start-up can enter, including proof of concept such as a running pilot project; companies looking for first round or seed funding, or pre-growth businesses, including registered and trading businesses with sales; businesses looking for series-A funding; and phase businesses, based in South Africa.

The prizes, including a cash prize and in-kind business support, are sponsored by private equity investor RMB Ventures and innovation agency Innovate UK.

The finalists will be announced on July 28, while the pitch preparation workshop with RMB will be held on August 1, in Cape Town. The pitching event will take place on September 4, also in Cape Town.

“Our longstanding partnership with the GreenPitch Challenge reflects our commitment to supporting platforms and initiatives that foster innovation across all fields,” says Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Africa programme manager Kwezi Sogoni.

“We envision a future where bold, market-ready solutions to environmental challenges are encouraged and supported to scale. The GreenPitch Challenge is an essential platform that bridges innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability that continues to support South Africa’s green economy champions,” he adds.

“We are proud to once again be sponsoring the Greenpitch challenge, which stimulates innovation across South Africa in the green economy. We believe in making a positive impact, and it’s been encouraging to see the number of entries increasing every year, showing rising awareness and action when it comes to sustainability,” says RMB Ventures private equity manager Ewan Gray.