The 2022 GreenPitch Challenge is hosted by GreenCape in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Invest Cape Town and The Business Hub. This year, prizes to the value of ~R300 000 are sponsored by RMB, BioCiti Labs, LaunchLab and SAREBI, with more to be confirmed.
RMB are sponsoring cash prizes for both category winners, and will present an investment strategy workshop for the Top 10 finalists in preparation for the pitch event. “At RMB Ventures we see potential to unlock innovation in the green economy to support a more a sustainable future,” says Cassim Motala, Co-Head, RMB Ventures.
BioCiti Labs are sponsoring research and laboratory services for the pre-venture category winner, as well as two months’ free laboratory access. “The green economy and the bio-economy are intimately linked, and BioCiTi sees the GreenPitch Challenge as an opportunity to bring green business ideas to the BioCiTi ecosystem. Within the BioCiTi ecosystem we can provide the necessary business and technical support to aid these business ideas transition to thriving commercial operations, that make tangible impact on the South African economy,” said Dheepak Maharajh, Cluster Head, BioCiti Labs.
SU LaunchLab will supply four hours of mentoring support for the pre-venture category winner. “Development of the green economy is the answer to major strategic obstacles faced by Africa. Sustainable commercial and industrial innovation will create jobs, protect natural resources, and ensure high productivity. SU LaunchLab is committed to utilising startups as vehicles to create, test and scale unique models that can positively contribute to such advancement,” said Josh Romisher, CEO, Stellenbosch University LaunchLab.
The pre-venture category winners will also receive training and operationalisation support, as well as basic operation and development support from the South African Renewable Energy Business Incubator (SAREBI).
City of Cape Town’s Department of Enterprise and Investment is partnering with GreenCape to deliver the 2022 GreenPitch Challenge.
“Through our partnership with GreenCape the City can capitalize on vast opportunities in the Green Economy. Initiatives like these give us a platform to empower businesses and communities to innovate and take action to grow the green economy and thereby, creating jobs,” said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.
2022 GreenPitch Challenge entry details
GreenCape, in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Invest Cape Town and The Business Hub, invites innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy innovation business ideas to enter the 2022 GreenPitch Challenge. Entries close at 14:00 on Tuesday 5 April 2022. The digital entry form is online on the 2022 GreenPitch Challenge website. Click here.
Enter your green economy innovation business idea to stand a chance of pitching to a panel of esteemed judges at a “shark tank-style” hybrid networking event, hosted in Cape Town in May 2022. Network with potential investors, business incubators, local government decision-makers and green economy experts.
Entry requirement
Your green economy innovation business idea has to be positioned within at least one of the Green Economy sectors – refer to the investment opportunities highlighted in GreenCape’s 2022 Market Intelligence Reports. Your business can be based anywhere in South Africa, but you need to have a presence in Cape Town (currently or planned).
Who should enter?
Innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy innovation business ideas. The business idea has to be in the pre-venture (Ideation, Conceptual) or pre-growth (Registered and trading / Break-even) phase. The judging panel will consider these two categories separately, and there will be a top 5 selected from both categories to make up the Top 10 finalists.
Why enter?
Access to the eco-system of green economy support. Prizes, including a cash prize and in-kind business support, are sponsored by RMB, BioCiti Labs, LaunchLab and SAREBI. More details to follow.
How to enter
Fill out the digital entry form available online here. The digital form allows you to submit a 500-word written motivation.
Key dates
Closing date for entries: Tuesday 5 April 2022 @ 14:00
Finalists announced: Tuesday 12 April 2022
Coaching for pitch event: 19 – 29 April 2022
Pitch event: Thursday 5 May 2022
The winner will be selected by a judging panel on the day of the event. Their decision is final. Terms & Conditions apply.
