Savant Announces Second Cohort of the Savant Build Programme to Propel Deep-Tech Hardware Startups in the Green Economy

Cape Town, South Africa — 06 Aug 2024 — Savant is thrilled to announce the second cohort of the Savant Build Programme, an investment readiness acceleration programme dedicated to supporting pre-seed and seed deep-tech hardware companies. This programme addresses critical green-economy gaps in agricultural advancement, green infrastructure, waste management services, smart-energy solutions, smart-connected indoor home farming, e-mobility, AI-powered disease and pest detection for farmers, and green manufacturing.

The Build Programme aims to assist world-class founders across Southern Africa through an investment readiness programme designed to help entrepreneurs raise their next capital investment round. With over 150 applications from founders across Africa, including Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zambia, the programme’s rigorous selection criteria focused on identifying proven post-market entry founders with compelling proof of concepts and demonstrated product-market fit, who are poised to scale their innovations.

The Savant Build Programme focuses on five core pillars to drive the deep-tech ecosystem forward. In a landscape where the intricate and high-risk nature of deep-tech innovation can make securing necessary funding and resources particularly challenging, Savant offers a comprehensive support system designed to help companies overcome these hurdles. The programme empowers startups to develop world-class solutions that address increasingly urgent global challenges.

1. Ecosystem: Forging deep-connections and relevant interactions between engineers and scientists and the African investment, operator and founder ecosystem.
2. Capital: Savant signalling confidence through capital investment as well as facilitating pathways to follow-on funding for deep-tech hardware businesses.
3. Advisory: Connecting entrepreneurs to seasoned investment professionals for guidance on fundraising, deal structuring, go-to-market strategies, product development, and post-investment support.
4. Technical Assistance: Providing tailored support to address the specific technical challenges faced by deep-tech hardware startups.
5. Mentorship: Offering unique mentorship from experienced investors, industry experts, and successful deep-tech founders, providing deep insights on market entry and internationalisation.

Introducing the second Savant Build Programme Cohort:

1. BioAge: An innovative agricultural biotechnology company, BioAge is pioneering bio-fertiliser solutions through advanced molecular farming techniques. Their unique approach integrates cutting-edge science with traditional agriculture to enhance plant metabolic functions at the genotypical, physiological, and morphological levels, significantly boosting growth, production, and yield.
2. PyrolTech: PyrolTech leads the way in sustainable processing of wood waste and alternative biomass into valuable carbon-based products for agriculture and construction. Their groundbreaking products, PyrolCrete, a sustainable alternative to concrete, and PyrolWood, a moisture and pest-resistant timber, offer greener solutions for key industries, reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
3. Khepri Biosciences: Khepri Biosciences tackles the critical issue of on-site organic waste processing. By converting waste into premium animal feed and high-quality organic fertiliser, they reduce waste volumes by up to 65%, providing sustainable solutions that support environmental health and agricultural productivity.
4. Homefarm: Homefarm revolutionises urban agriculture with its smart, indoor gardening systems for homes and businesses. Their automated features enable the year-round production of pesticide-free crops with exceptional yields, enhancing access to high-quality, sustainably produced food within a circular economy framework.
5. Switch Energy: Switch Energy simplifies and optimises energy management with its smart metering and energy trading solutions. Their systems seamlessly integrate with renewable energy generation and storage, providing efficient energy trading capabilities for traders and municipalities, driving the transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape.
6. STROOM: Transforming last-mile delivery in South Africa, STROOM offers an innovative fleet of electric bikes that provide sustainable and efficient cargo delivery solutions. Their approach not only addresses urban logistical challenges but also creates job opportunities for local businesses, contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.
7. DeepLeaf: A Moroccan agritech leader, DeepLeaf develops AI-powered solutions to support farmers. Their flagship product, Morshida, is an AI chatbot that provides crop recommendations, disease alerts, and market access information via WhatsApp, empowering farmers with timely, actionable insights to improve agricultural outcomes.
8. GrooveTech: GrooveTech revolutionises road construction and maintenance with its sustainable, zero-waste materials made from recycled plastic, rubber, and ash. By creating durable, pothole-free roads, they promote effective road maintenance and decarbonisation, supporting infrastructure development while addressing plastic waste management challenges.

Through the Savant Build Programme, these pioneering companies have received invaluable support in scaling their innovations and driving the green economy forward.

About Savant: Savant is a leading incubator, accelerator and venture capital firm dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in the deep-tech hardware sector. The Savant Build Programme is designed to provide comprehensive technical assistance and mentorship to help startups achieve their growth potential and contribute to a sustainable future.