We’re excited to introduce the third cohort of the Savant Build Programme – 14 groundbreaking deep tech and hardware startups from across South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Uganda. These ventures are tackling some of the continent’s most urgent challenges through transformative technologies in clean energy, smart agriculture, medical diagnostics, sustainable construction, and more.
The Build Programme is designed to accelerate investable innovation. We work hands-on with each startup to sharpen their commercial strategies, de-risk execution, and prepare them for scale. These aren’t just promising concepts – they’re ambitious businesses backed by intellectual property, validated technology, and strong market potential.
Through this process, we curate a high-quality pipeline of ventures that are ready for both catalytic and commercial capital. For funders and LPs, it’s an opportunity to invest in businesses positioned to deliver real impact and attractive returns.
What the Programme Delivers
✅ Tailored Support
Each startup receives hands-on, customized support designed to meet their specific stage of growth and technical maturity. This includes refining go-to-market strategies, unit economics, and pricing models, as well as navigating manufacturing, supply chain readiness, and IP protection. Our frameworks are built for the complexity of hardware and science-driven ventures—not adapted from generic startup playbooks.
✅ Expert-Led Masterclasses
Founders participate in interactive masterclasses led by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and subject matter experts. Topics cover critical areas like investor communications, business model validation, B2B sales strategy, international expansion, and exit planning. These sessions are practical, founder-focused, and directly tied to each company’s milestones.
✅ Advisory & Mentorship
Dedicated advisors work side-by-side with each company throughout the programme, helping founders think through challenges, refine their fundraising strategy, and execute on product, financial, and commercial goals. This includes support on term sheet structuring, pitch refinement, team capability building, and preparing for investor due diligence.
✅ Access to a Strategic Ecosystem
Savant offers direct access to a curated network of early-stage and follow-on investors, corporate partners, manufacturing experts, and market validation channels across the continent. We help startups build the right connections—aligned with their stage, sector, and strategy—to unlock scale and long-term growth.
The 2025 Build Cohort
1. ATAREC (Morocco)
Powering Ports with Ocean Energy
ATAREC transforms coastal infrastructure into clean energy generators. Its patented Wave Beat technology retrofits onto breakwaters, producing reliable, low-carbon power with high spatial efficiency.
2. Pysis Technologies (Nigeria)
AI for Smarter Fish Farming
Pysis is reimagining aquaculture with Smart Pond, an AI-powered IoT platform that helps fish farmers optimize feeding, monitor water quality, and unlock access to finance and markets through data-driven insights.
3. BOOM-BIO (South Africa)
Sustainable Composites for Industry
BOOM-BIO creates hemp-based biocomposites that rival fiberglass in strength and weight—offering a circular, low-carbon material alternative for automotive, aerospace, and marine applications.
4. EchoUAS (South Africa)
Advanced Drone Power Systems
EchoUAS designs smart, DroneCAN-enabled components that improve drone performance, durability, and reliability. Their modular hardware powers next-gen unmanned aerial systems for critical missions.
5. FlyH2 Aerospace (South Africa)
Hydrogen-Powered Aerial Mobility
FlyH2 develops Dragonfly V, a zero-emission, long-range hydrogen drone built for environmental monitoring, logistics, and emergency response in remote and infrastructure-scarce regions.
6. LignOrganic (South Africa)
Clean-Label UV Protection
LignOrganic produces NatUVcare®, a lignin-based, plant-derived UV filter with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties—designed for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial clean-label formulations.
7. Linksensi (South Africa)
Smart Gas Monitoring for Safer Homes
Linksensi delivers IoT-enabled gas sensors and a cloud platform that automate LPG refills, enhance safety, and optimize fuel supply chains for households and industrial users.
8. Petite French & Co (South Africa)
Luxury Pet Gear with Purpose
Petite French & Co crafts premium pet accessories that blend design, functionality, and sustainability. Their ethically sourced products are tailored for global style-conscious pet owners.
9. Principia (South Africa)
Mycelium Leather for the Future
AMyLA is a biodegradable, cruelty-free leather alternative made from mycelium. It offers a scalable, low-emission solution for brands in fashion, automotive, and furniture industries.
10. MONSAPO (Tunisia)
Turning Waste Oil Into Cleaning Products
MONSAPO’s Sapocircle system uses AI and IoT to convert used cooking oil into eco-friendly detergent, enabling circular cleaning solutions for the hospitality industry.
11. Munakyalo Agrofresh (Uganda)
Post-Harvest Innovation for Farmers
Munakyalo delivers solar-powered cold storage and MunaFresh®, a plant-based produce coating that reduces spoilage and extends shelf life—improving food security and incomes for smallholder farmers.
12. Denshé Beauty (South Africa)
Inclusive Foundation for African Skin
Denshé Beauty offers custom-matched foundation for melanin-rich skin using point-of-sale tech. Their product range fills a longstanding gap in the global cosmetics industry.
13. Eagle-Eye Defence Systems (South Africa)
Biometric Vehicle Security
Eagle-Eye develops tamper-proof immobilisers with real-time biometric authentication, providing advanced protection and fleet management for private and commercial vehicles.
14. Amnova (South Africa)
Distributed Manufacturing for Africa
Amnova builds modular manufacturing systems that integrate hybrid 3D printing, CNC machining, and automation—enabling localized, flexible production for small and medium manufacturers.
Follow the Journey
We’re thrilled to support these game-changing entrepreneurs as they tackle some of Africa’s most pressing challenges through bold technology. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter as we share their milestones – and join us at Demo Day to meet the future of African innovation.