During Phase III, which runs until 23 October, these five teams will concentrate on critical development areas, including market validation, product and service proof points, and scaling strategies. This phase is designed to prepare them for seed-stage investment, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to attract investors and scale their ventures.
The programme, led by Hatch Blue and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA) with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aims to build a regional and interconnected blue tech community with a focus on gender inclusivity. The initiative is dedicated to fostering a sustainable ecosystem around blue technology in southern Africa.
The successful teams
1. Aqua Xuma: enhancing water quality monitoring
Aqua Xuma is developing an Internet of Things (IoT) water quality monitoring device, enabling real-time, remote monitoring of water conditions, which is crucial for optimising operations in various blue economy sectors, including aquaculture. The team is composed of Adventina Grevas, Messias Macuiane, Enock Shezi, Basil Osambo and Luvo Guyana.
2. WAVU: connecting farmers to quality inputs
WAVU is building a digital platform designed to connect African farmers with high-quality, affordable aquaculture inputs, streamlining access to essential resources, and helping farmers increase 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 Beyond: pioneering sustainable biostimulants
Seaweed and Beyond, led by Lucile Gingembre, is producing biostimulants derived from seaweed that offer significant benefits for crop growth and resilience, creating products that support both agricultural productivity and environmental health.
4. Siyakhula: integrating sustainable practices in abalone farming
Siyakhula, led by Sarah Halse, combines abalone production with seaweed farming, growing seaweed as feed for its abalone, and improving marine conservation.
5. Rafasha Zanzibar: innovating natural skincare
Rafasha Zanzibar is tapping into the growing demand for natural skincare products by producing cosmetics derived 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, venture development lead at OHA, reflects: “We are excited to be contributing to these pioneering teams advance to Phase III of the Blue Venture Builder Africa programme. This dynamic and collaborative approach to venture building emphasizes creating a strong, sustainable African blue economy that addresses the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. Supporting innovations across various levels of technology and business models enables us to drive progressive disruption in the blue economy. We believe these ventures not only promise significant environmental and economic benefits but also foster inclusive growth and sustainable development.”
Wayne Murphy co-founder and partner of Hatch Blue, who led the GIZ-funded project, remarked: “It has been an exciting yet challenging number of months, building on 10 formative bootcamp days back in May. There, the seeds of 13 future African blue ventures were formed, from which five companies seeking to deliver African solutions to African challenges have been chosen, based on their potential traction, team and market opportunity.
“The progress and development achieved by these newly formed ventures is a testament to their ability, passion and ambition to succeed. As we enter the final phase of the programme we are excited to continue to play a supportive role as they explore the incredible opportunities and potential of the blue economy in Africa”
