By: Hee-Dee Walenga
The Namibia Business Angel Network (NABAN) hosted its first quarterly pitch event of the year last week in Windhoek. The event was hosted under a special green finance theme, in collaboration with Bellatrix SME Finance, Bellatrix Investment Managers, Bellatrix Green Finance and Basecamp Business Incubator.
Investors, founders, stakeholders, and general community members gathered at The Village to listen to the pitches of five businesses. The five finalists were shortlisted from a pool of over 50 applicants.
The businesses pitching for investment were Platonic Academy Namibia (HySIM), Ebikes4Africa, Ndipwa Trading, Rudy Agritactic Machines, and EN Shiwana Investment. The evening was not only an opportunity for the business owners to seek funding, but an opportunity to network with industry leaders and receive expert advice.
NABAN, established in 2022, is a group consisting of professionals from various industries supporting the growth of startups and fostering economic development in Namibia. The Network has invested an estimated N$750,000 into the Namibian entrepreneurial ecosystem thus far.
The founders had a maximum of five minutes to pitch their businesses, with an additional 10 minutes allowed for questions from the audience. Through the Bellatrix Green Impacts Facility, managed by Bellatrix SME Finance, the founders were also eligible for assessment to receive up to N$2 million in debt financing and up to N$6 million in equity financing.
Platonic Academy Namibia (HySIM)
HySIM seeks to capitalise on Namibia’s clean energy transition. The company seeks to lower the dependence on foreign technical support in the Namibian green hydrogen space. They provide services such as safety planning, deployment support, and workforce training.
EN Shiwana Investment
EN Shiwana Investment is providing a circular economy solution from Walvis Bay, formalising waste collection, introducing local industrial baling infrastructure, and keeping more recycling value within the coastal region. The company currently processes 60 tonnes of waste per month.
Rudy Agritactic Machines
Rudy Agritactic Machines is seeking to reduce Namibia’s reliance on imported machinery, strengthen local industrial capacity, and deliver more sustainable, locally adapted solutions for farmers and agro-processors. During their pitch, the company revealed that they generated N$18.3 million in revenue last year, primarily via contracts with the government and selling machinery to commercial farmers.
Ndipwa Trading
Ndipwa Trading is based in Outapi and focuses on livestock feed production as well as vegetable production. The company harnesses the nutritional and drought-resistant power of the moringa plant to produce livestock feed and vegetables.
Ebikes4Africa
Ebikes4Africa pitched mobility for rural and working communities in Africa. Their locally manufactured e-bike is designed for rugged terrain, solar charging, and real everyday use, offering a transport solution for farmers, tourism operators, security teams, and small enterprises.
Business Development Manager of Rudy Agritactic Machines, Jerry Nghikevali, added “I am thankful that a platform such as this has been put together. It gave us an opportunity to collaborate with other businesses.”
