YOUTH It then became obvious to us that current technologies are not affordable and accessible to most of the population, and that we needed a solution that is specifically designed with the African use-case in mind. We also wanted to add sustainability into our solution. We assembled a team, managed to raise Angel Investment, took time to understand the problem more and developed a working prototype that eventually evolved into a product. What was your biggest obstacle? Making a new product is not easy and came with its own set of challenges, but I feel the biggest was getting access to enough early-stage funding to speed up R&D and product development as well as support to navigate regulatory hurdles. What has been your biggest lesson? Building a solid team and strong partnerships where you can leverage experience is the most important thing for an early-stage start-up. I would also add in obsessing over the customer: a great product does not mean a great business; we constantly had to innovate to get the right business
model, as well as channels to acquire and serve customers. Things worth building also take longer than expected. What surprised you? The support that people are willing to give as well as the openness to give young people like myself a shot. I was also surprised that we managed to develop a whole new product and business that has the potential to become a market leader on the continent. What’s the most important thing you’re working on right now, and how are you making it happen? We are working to fully commercialise our product to the open market and finish off our closed pilot. We’re also looking to start building a local facility that will ensure we build a strong, customer-centric brand. What advice can you give to other young green stars? Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. You can learn as well as provide value to your more experienced peers. Also just take your time and have fun throughout the process.
THE GREENOVATE AWARDS
A
joint initiative by Growthpoint Properties and the GBCSA, the competition challenges senior students to create innovative green solutions to environmental issues facing the property industry. Active since 2015, the Awards have the goal of seeding an early passion for sustainable development in university students. The programme also showcases the future leaders of the built industry. Making a name for themselves as innovators, changemakers and plant-shapers, the winners of the 2021 Greenovate Student Awards in the property category were: First: Tristan Fernandes – University of Cape Town: “A Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Developing High-rise Sustainable, Innovative, Affordable Housing in South Africa”. Second: Aasif Mohamed, Asemahle Mngxuma and Sacha
Harper – University of the Witwatersrand: “Experimental process of introducing chicken manure as an additive in cement to decrease pollution and increase thermal insulation as well as other properties of a concrete mix”. Third: Barret de Willers – University of Cape Town: “Investigating the adoption of green building features, initiatives, and technology in commercial buildings”. “The genuine passion for a higher cause shared by all the students participating in the awards, and nurtured by their universities, was clearly demonstrated in the cutting-edge thinking about building and operating our cities, towns, neighbourhoods and buildings in more environmentally sustainable ways. The GBCSA is proud to spark ‘greenovation’ at South African universities and shape a better future,” says Georgina Smit, head of technical at the GBCSA.
From left to right: Mario Schehle, Remote Metering Solutions; first prize winner in Property, Tristan Fernandes, University of Cape Town; Lisa Reynolds, CEO of GBCSA; Grahame Cruickshanks, Growthpoint’s head of sustainability and utilities.
POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 18
47
