ReSurfify Selected in Top 20 of EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge Among 643 University Startups

ReSurfify is proud to announce our selection as one of the top 20 finalists in the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge 2025, a prestigious competition that attracted 643 university startups from across South Africa. This remarkable achievement places us among the most innovative and promising student and alumni ventures in the country.

About the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge

The EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge is a strategic initiative aimed at catalyzing innovation and entrepreneurship within South Africa's 26 public universities. The challenge focuses on identifying, nurturing, and supporting the transformation of student and alumni innovations into viable, scalable ventures that address pressing societal challenges.

The competition attracted applications from across key sectors including healthtech, greentech, fintech, and bluetech, with ReSurfify's sustainable chemistry solution fitting perfectly within the greentech category. Our biosurfactant technology addresses critical environmental challenges while creating economic value from waste streams.

What's Next for ReSurfify

As part of the top 20, ReSurfify will now participate in a comprehensive 7-week mentorship program with 8 contact sessions, followed by the finals pitching and awards event. The top 5 winners will receive generous prize funding and access to a formal post-competition incubation phase, enabling participants to transition their concepts into scalable, impact-driven ventures.

The mentorship program will provide valuable guidance on business development, market strategy, and scaling operations. This structured support will be crucial as we work to commercialize our biosurfactant production technology and expand our impact in the sustainable chemistry sector.

Recognition of Innovation

Being selected among the top 20 out of 643 applications is a tremendous validation of our innovative approach to sustainable biosurfactant production, said Dr. André Valkenburg, Founder of ReSurfify. This recognition from EDHE and Absa demonstrates that our mission to transform waste oils into high-value biosurfactants resonates with the broader goal of addressing societal challenges through innovation.

— Dr. André Valkenburg, Founder of ReSurfify

The selection process involved rigorous evaluation by industry experts and academic leaders who assessed the potential impact, innovation, and commercial viability of each submission. ReSurfify's selection highlights the growing recognition of sustainable chemistry solutions in addressing global environmental challenges.

Impact and Future

This achievement represents a significant milestone in ReSurfify's journey and opens doors to valuable mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential funding that will accelerate our mission to revolutionize the surfactant industry. The exposure and credibility gained through this competition will be instrumental in building partnerships with industry leaders and securing the resources needed to scale our operations.

The EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge aligns perfectly with ReSurfify's vision of creating a more sustainable future through innovative biotechnology. By transforming waste oils into high-value biosurfactants, we're not only addressing environmental concerns but also creating economic opportunities and contributing to South Africa's innovation ecosystem.

As we move forward in the competition, we remain committed to our mission of making sustainable surfactants accessible and affordable while reducing the environmental impact of chemical production.