During Phase III, which runs until October 23, these five teams will focus on critical areas of development, including market validation, product and service proof, and scaling strategies. This phase is designed to prepare them for seed-stage investment and give them the tools and insights they need to attract investors and scale their ventures.
Led by Hatch Blue and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the program aims to build a regional and connected blue tech community with a focus on gender inclusion. The initiative is dedicated to fostering a sustainable ecosystem around blue tech in Southern Africa.
The successful teams
1. Aqua Xuma: Improved water quality monitoring
Aqua Xuma is developing an Internet of Things (IoT)-based water quality monitoring device that enables real-time, remote monitoring of water quality, which is critical to optimizing operations in various sectors of the blue economy, including aquaculture. The team is made up of Adventina Grevas, Messias Macuiane, Enock Shezi, Basil Osambo and Luvo Guyana.
2. WAVU: Connecting farmers with high-quality inputs
WAVU is developing a digital platform to provide high-quality and affordable aquaculture inputs to African farmers, simplify access to essential resources and help farmers increase their productivity and sustainability. The team members – Angela Odero, Lorna Mudegu, Don Okoth, Amaan Pirani and Vincent Otieno – bring a wealth of experience.
3. Seaweed and more: pioneering sustainable biostimulants
Led by Lucile Gingembre, Seaweed and Beyond produces biostimulants from seaweed that positively impact crop growth and resilience, creating products that promote both agricultural productivity and environmental health.
4. Siyakhula: Integrating sustainable practices into abalone farming
Siyakhula, led by Sarah Halse, combines abalone production with seaweed farming, growing seaweed as feed for the abalone while improving marine conservation.
5. Rafasha Zanzibar: Innovative natural skin care
Rafasha Zanzibar is catering to the growing demand for natural skincare products by creating cosmetics from seaweed. Shuwena Seif Salim, the driving force behind Rafasha Zanzibar, combines traditional knowledge with modern science to create products that are both effective and environmentally conscious.
Thando Mazomba, Head of Venture Development at OHA, said: “We are delighted to be able to help these pioneering teams advance to Phase III of the Blue Venture Builder Africa program. This dynamic and collaborative approach to venture development focuses on creating a strong, sustainable African Blue Economy that addresses the three pillars of people, planet and profit. By supporting innovation at various levels of technology and business models, we can progressively transform the Blue Economy. We believe that these ventures not only promise significant environmental and economic benefits, but also promote inclusive growth and sustainable development.”
