Coming victorious from the final pitch competition at the 2026 Cape Agritech Connect, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) ReSurfify took the first place. They won the Challenge for their innovation in developing sustainable biosurfactants—biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives to petroleum-based surfactants*—using a bioprocess that converts virgin or waste vegetable oils into eco-friendly ingredients.

The official launch of the Agritech Innovation Challenge was a highlight of the event. It is a first-of-its-kind competitive platform for the Western Cape, offering R50 000 to the most innovative solution. The top four finalists pitched for the grand prize, presenting innovations emanating from hardware (drones, sensors), software (artificial intelligence, data analytics), and biotech (genetically modified crops, soil microbes, nanoparticles).

SU at the forefront of agritech innovation

Agricultural technology, or agritech for short, is a growing market in South Africa as farmers seek to boost productivity, enhance climate resilience, and reduce input costs throughout the value chain.

Stellenbosch Network, in partnership with Stellenbosch University (SU), LaunchLab, and Innovus Technology Transfer Office, highlighted these advancements at the 2026 Cape Agritech Connect on 16 April 2026, at the Nooitgedacht Estate, Stellenbosch.

Supported by the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), Von Seidels and South Africa Wine, the event showcased groundbreaking research and startup innovation through pitches, exhibitions, and structured panels focusing on key agricultural challenges.

The event brought together agritech innovators, established farmers, corporate partners, funders, government, and academia. One of the highlights was the official launch of the partnership’s Agritech Innovation Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competitive platform for the Western Cape, offering R50 000 to the most innovative solution.

The top four finalists of the Innovation Challenge pitched for the grand prize, presenting innovations emanating from hardware (drones, sensors), software (artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics), and biotech (genetically modified crops, soil microbes, nanoparticles).

Jody Harvery, Co-Founder of ReSurfify said, “We are incredibly honoured and grateful to have been recognised as the winners of the Agri-Tech Innovation Challenge! The past few months have been a very iterative process of trying to effectively translate a science heavy technology platform into something digestible”, she said, “This recognition serves as great validation for what we are trying to achieve as well as the increasing appetite – both locally and internationally – for sustainable alternatives, particularly in the modern agriculture landscape”.

ReSurfify remarked that the award brings it one step closer to establishing a regional supply of high-value, sustainable biosurfactants produced in Africa for Africa.

“The incredible support that we have received from LaunchLab, as well as Innovus, has played a critical role in this growing success story, having helped us shape what was once simply a scientific endeavour into something with immense commercial scalability,” said Jody.

A significant and notable highlight of the day was the launch of the AgriFuture Cluster, which is designed to broaden the Western Cape’s AgriTech innovation hub and strengthen collaboration, expand founder support, attract local and international investment, and reinforce the province’s competitive agricultural sector, through technology and innovation.

Inspired by a 2023 study visit to Norway’s world-leading innovation cluster system, the three-year initiative will, among others, conduct cluster research and mapping to identify gaps, opportunities, and key actors in the provincial Agritech landscape.

“The Cluster builds on three successful years of Cape AgriTech Connect events, each drawing more than 160 participants. The next step is to formalise and scale that momentum into a structured, long-term platform for the province, said Hanli Brink, Operations Director for Stellenbosch Network.

She added, “We implemented the Cluster to bring together startups and innovators, commercial farmers and producer associations, academic and research institutions, corporates and agribusinesses, and government and public sector bodies to encourage collaboration and create more value in the agricultural sector in the region.”

For future events and more information about Stellenbosch Network and the AgriFuture Cluster, please visit www.stellenboschnetwork.co.za. 

*A surfactant is a chemical compound that reduces surface or interfacial tension between two phases, such as liquids, gases, or solids, enabling mixing, wetting, and emulsification.