15 SA green businesses in Grindstone, Anglo American accelerator

Daba Finance/ZGrindstone, Anglo American accelerator

STARTUP VENTURE CAPITALNovember 22, 2023 at 8:18 PM UTC

Fifteen South African green businesses have been selected to participate in the Grindstone program, supported by the Anglo American Foundation (AAF). The program is known for fostering high-growth entrepreneurship, and in July, the AAF partnered with Grindstone with the goal of empowering entrepreneurs in the green sector, promoting sustainable practices, and focusing on job creation for South Africa's youth.

The 2023 accelerator will span six months, catering specifically to post-seed to Series A green sector startups. With the support of the ecosystem and strategic partners, Grindstone aims to enhance the growth of the selected startups by addressing gaps in their knowledge and business skills through in-depth workshops and monthly coaching sessions.

Participants will benefit from learning experiences with Grindstone's alumni and established ecosystem network partners such as Green Cape and Savant, and they will become part of a community that includes sustainability-focused investors.

Key Takeaways

The selected startups are VEZ Technology, Ground 2 Tap, I-N-TECH, Boombadotmobi, First Drop Hydration, Tsehla Holdings, GreenMovement, MKGreen Solutions, The Green Cab, Imperative Energy Group, Lilly Loompa Upcycled Homeware, RE:HEAT Africa, Isphepho Group, PWK Waste Management and Recycling, and Umlilo Energy South Africa. From solar power to waste management, to water filtration systems, the cohort of 15 startups is driving positive change in their communities across South Africa. As Africa catches up with the developed world in terms of technological progress, accelerators, incubators, and pitch competitions help to bridge this gap by providing crucial access to capital and mentorship to startups.