News

SWEAT Panel: Building and Funding Globally Competitive African Ventures SWEAT Panel: Building and Funding Globally Competitive African Ventures On 14 February 2026, Day 2 of SWEAT Africa’s debut festival, an inspiring panel turned the spotlight on a question central to innovation: what does it actually take to build ventures that endure? True to SWEAT’s outdoor, […]

From Research to Reality: How SAMRC Helps Health Innovations Reach the Market Great health innovations don’t fail because of weak science. They fail because the path from research to real-world impact is complex, underfunded, and often poorly understood. This SWEAT side gathering, hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), opens that path up

Ping-Pong and Connections: OneBio Brings Biotech & Beers to SWEAT Not all meaningful connections at a ecosystem gathering happen in panel rooms or pitch sessions. Sometimes, they happen over a burger, a cold beer – and a fiercely competitive game of table tennis. That’s the thinking behind Ping-Pong Competition and Connection, a SWEAT side event

How to Start a Company: A Sweat-Equity Reality Check for Student Founders For many student founders, the jump from classroom ambition to building a real company can feel like a leap into the unknown. What starts as a great idea often runs headlong into messy realities: customer discovery, product validation, team dynamics, and relentless execution.

Rhea: Bringing lab-quality soil testing to the farm, in minutes When soil health goes unchecked, farmers pay the price – in wasted inputs, degraded land, and stubbornly low yields. Rhea is tackling this challenge head-on by making fast, affordable, and actionable soil testing accessible to smallholder farmers across Africa. Founded by Soinato Leboo and Priscilla

Startup Spotlight: VideoMed at SWEAT Africa As Africa’s healthcare systems grapple with long waiting times, geographic barriers, and overstretched public facilities, VideoMed is offering a pragmatic, scalable alternative. The digital health startup will be showcasing its connected primary care platform at SWEAT Africa, joining a new wave of founders rethinking access to essential services across

R100,000 Cash Prize Up for Grabs at SWEAT Africa Pitch Competition Africa’s boldest biotech and hardtech founders will take centre stage this February as SWEAT Africa launches its inaugural Pitch Competition, offering a winner-take-all cash prize of R100,000. The competition forms part of the first SWEAT Africa festival, taking place 13–14 February 2026 at the

Who Are Our Investors and Funders? SWEAT Africa brings together Africa’s most ambitious founders, researchers, and innovators – and none of this would be possible without the support of our visionary investors and funders. From international development banks to philanthropic foundations, global corporations, and local venture capitalists, our partners share a common goal: to empower

How to Make the Most of SWEAT Seven ways to spark real collaborations, meet the right people, get noticed – and actually sweat! SWEAT isn’t a conference you attend passively. It’s a place you participate in – mentally, socially, and yes, physically. Designed for founders, builders, and investors shaping Africa’s future from the ground up,

Discover Stellenbosch & Franschhoek : SWEAT Africa’s Backdrop Stellenbosch is more than a picturesque town; it’s a science and innovation hub. Home to Stellenbosch University and the Technopark innovation hub, the town is rich with researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s tech future. As a SWEAT visitor, you’ll be immersed in a community where deep