The top ten finalists for the 2025 FNF GreenPitch Challenge have been selected from more than 200 entries representing various green economy investment opportunity sectors, including the circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and water and sanitation.

These early-stage startup and pre-growth-phase green businesses will prepare to pitch to a panel of expert judges at a hybrid networking event on September 4, in Cape Town, hosted by civic education nonprofit Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and green economy nonprofit GreenCape.

“Entrepreneurship is key to addressing climate and sustainability challenges while unlocking the economic growth our country needs,” says FNF South Africa programme manager Kwezi Sogoni.

“We are inspired by the vision and drive of this year’s top ten finalists and proud to support them through the GreenPitch Challenge, together with our partners and investors, as they scale their solutions for a greener future,” he comments.

Further, the top ten finalists will also attend an investment-readiness workshop in August in the build-up to the pitch event that will be hosted by private equity investment firm RMB Ventures.

The category winners and finalists of the 2025 FNF GreenPitch Challenge will be awarded a range of cash and in-kind prizes to the value of more than R300 000.

EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS

The finalists in the early-stage startup category, which is for proof-of-concept stages, such as pilot project running and looking for first round of seed funding, include biodegradable fabric manufacturer AgriTex SoilShield. It makes biodegradable, biocomposite mulch fabric engineered from South African agrowaste fibres for regenerative tomato farming in dry regions.

Additionally, agritech startup Arable Grow was selected in this category. The company aims to transform urban food production through sustainable vertical farming. It designs and manufactures locally built, hydroponic systems, ranging from desktop units to container farms, that grow fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round using 90% less water, FNF says.

Solar PV recycling startup DC Solar Reclaim, which is launching South Africa’s first dedicated end-of-life solar PV disposal and recycling service, was also selected.

Also in the early-stage startup category is circular waste management company Dominion Solutions. Its Fish Renew process transforms fish waste from aquaculture farms and processing facilities into high-value raw materials for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, says FNF.

Additionally, frictionless industrial motor company Magnetic Repulsion Motor (MRM) is one of the finalists. The MRM uses proprietary magnetic repulsion technology to replace traditional contact-based components, resulting in up to 30% lower energy consumption and 90% less maintenance compared with conventional motors.

Wastewater and water engineering company Selectra was also announced as a finalist in this category. Its ShearCon process, developed in partnership with industrial rubber and plastics components manufacturer Jaeger, can be used to increase sewage treatment capacity without construction costs. It boosts existing plant capacity by up to 50% without requiring new basins.

PRE-GROWTH STAGE FINALISTS

Meanwhile, in the pre-growth category, which is for registered and trading companies that have made sales and are looking for series A funding, hydroponic systems company Agrikey Hydroponics was selected as a finalist.

The company builds vertical hydroponic systems that maximise crop production in limited spaces using nutrient-rich water solutions with minimal or no soil, FNF says.

Renewable-energy startup Peco Power was also selected in this category for its PowerBrick, which is a modular, plug-and-play solar system that powers lights and essential appliances.

Saline wastewater treatment company Roc Water Technologies was selected as a finalist. Its saline wastewater treatment solution can produce clean water and salt from leachate and brine.

Potable water company Village Bucket Water Filter was named as one of the finalists. Its filters provide safe, clean drinking water by removing dirt, contaminants and 99.99% of harmful pathogens, including cholera, typhoid and E. coli, among others.

The filters are suitable for households using untreated water from rivers, wells, boreholes or rainwater tanks. The filters have been certified and tested by the South African Bureau of Standards and meet World Health Organisation standards.

The winners in both categories will be selected by a judging panel on the day of the event.