CDI Capital is proud to announce the selection of the first group of dynamic young entrepreneurs for the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme in South Africa.
The OCIF GROW programme is managed by CDI Capital, a subsidiary of the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) non-profit company, and proudly supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands as part of the global Orange Corners initiative.
Innovation is the heartbeat of progress, and with the OCIF GROW programme, these businesses are eligible to receive the support they need to scale up. The programme, which provides the opportunity of funding ranging from R200,000 to R1 million per business, is targeted at entrepreneurs aged 18–35 with proven innovation, market traction, and the potential to scale.
The first cohort, carefully selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide, represents a vibrant cross-section of sectors and innovations – from disruptive products and groundbreaking services to bold new business models. These entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and investment readiness support in the coming months, and will be able to apply for a unique blend of grant funding and interest-free loans thereafter.
“We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of entrepreneurs into the OCIF GROW programme,” said Ryan Rode, Manager of CDI Capital. “Each one has demonstrated the kind of innovation, resilience, and potential to impact the Sustainable Development Goals we are looking for. With the right support, we believe they can make a profound impact not just in their own businesses, but in the broader South African economy.”
Here’s a snapshot of the 10 innovators selected for the inaugural OCIF GROW cohort:
Green Hands (Kalawa, KwaZulu-Natal)
Founder: Nompilo Nxumalo
A mobile, solar-powered waste buy-back centre that purchases recyclables from landfills and informal collectors. Green Hands collects 90 tons monthly and aims to expand its reach and impact with OCIF GROW support. Click here to find out more
The Sparks Impact Fellowship (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founders: Janine Rutsch & Rowan Spazzoli
Places graduates in full-time roles at social enterprises while offering in-depth training in systems thinking, impact measurement, and social finance – building a stronger pipeline for South Africa’s impact ecosystem. the-sparks.io
Buttercup Farmhouse (Bloemfontein, Free State)
Founder: Chantelle De Bruyn
Makers of a unique, vegetable-based coffee alternative crafted from butternut and superfoods — caffeine-free and aimed at health-conscious consumers with caffeine sensitivity. buttercupfarmhouse.co.za
Bluum (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founders: Chantel & Dr. Pier Spinazze
A female-focused wellness brand creating premium, plant-based supplements tailored to every stage of womanhood, backed by scientific research and community insight. bluum.ltd
BioAge (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)
Founder: Reuben Riley Rampersad
Produces advanced liquid fertilisers and bio stimulants that increase agricultural yields while reducing environmental impact through eco-friendly, molecular-level innovations. bioageagri.com
Unearthed Home Decor (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founder: Samantha van Rooyen
A sustainability-driven, B2B African decor brand blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, exporting ethically produced homeware globally. unearthedhomedecor.com
Beeline (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founders: Peter Turner, Dylan Evans & James Mallett
An AI-powered micro-learning platform that turns business goals into measurable, job-ready skills — delivered even in low-bandwidth environments via WhatsApp and MS Teams. beeline.life
BMEC (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founder: Raphael Smith
Provides modular software libraries for building Deep Tech hardware-integrated solutions in sectors such as MedTech, AgriTech, and IoT — simplifying development and scaling. bmec.co
The Surgical Assistant (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Founder: Le Roux Viljoen
A digital health platform connecting surgeons with qualified surgical assistants, addressing staffing shortages while improving both public and private healthcare delivery. thesurgicalassistant.co.za
Adagin (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Founder: FG Adriaanse
Builds precision agri-tools integrating software, hardware, and analytics to reduce waste, improve yields, and optimise every step of the farm-to-market journey. adagintech.com
Image below: Buttercup Farmhouse, makers of a unique, vegetable-based coffee alternative crafted from butternut and superfoods.
