The announcement of the Hanga Pitchfest 2025 Top 5 finalists marks an important moment for Rwanda’s growing innovation ecosystem. Following six weeks of intensive preparation and a final elimination round, the selected startups demonstrated strong traction, innovative thinking and the capacity to scale. Re-banatex took the top position this year, earning praise for its circular-economy approach to converting banana stem waste into environmentally friendly textiles. Alongside Re-banatex, the other finalists bring solutions that strengthen healthcare, emergency response, food systems and preventive medical technology, reflecting the competition’s commitment to supporting businesses that deliver real social and economic value.
Re-Banatex: A New Standard for Sustainable Innovation
This year’s winner, Re-banatex, stood out for its clear mission, community impact and strong business potential. Re-banatex is a Rwandan social enterprise turning discarded banana stems into eco-friendly textiles. The startup partners with local banana farmers across Rwanda to extract natural fibers from agricultural waste and blend them with cotton to create sustainable fabrics for fashion and lifestyle products.
Its model is built on circular economy principles. By transforming farm waste into valuable materials, Re-banatex reduces environmental harm, supports farmers with new income streams and offers an alternative to synthetic textiles. The company works across the entire value chain from fabric development to weaving and product design, placing its work at the intersection of nature, culture and innovation.
This solution has far-reaching potential. It addresses waste pollution, strengthens rural livelihoods and introduces a new sustainable material to the fashion industry. Judges highlighted the strong problem–solution fit, the clarity of the business model and its ability to scale beyond Rwanda. Jonathan, the founder of Re-banatex, was recognised for turning a simple idea into a powerful environmental and economic opportunity.
Spotlight on the Other Four Finalists Shaping Rwanda’s Future
Second Place: Neem
Neem offers smart insoles that prevent diabetic foot ulcers through real-time monitoring. As diabetes cases increase globally, early detection and intervention have become essential. Neem’s wearable technology captures and shares data that helps patients and health professionals act before complications occur. This solution brings together medtech, wearable innovation and preventive care to reduce the risk of severe outcomes such as amputations.
Third Place: Nabsil Grainbank
Nabsil Grainbank addresses challenges in agriculture by providing a grain management and inventory-financing platform. The company works to eliminate post-harvest losses and drastically improve farmers’ income. This is achieved through a crop management system leveraging innovative sourcing, handling, storage services and tools to ensure high grain quality over time.
Fourth Place: Ambucycle
Ambucycle is a digital emergency-response system designed to reduce preventable deaths by improving response times. The platform connects emergency callers with trained responders using smart dispatch technology. Its potential national impact is significant, especially in areas where delayed response can lead to life-threatening outcomes. By strengthening emergency systems, Ambucycle delivers measurable improvements in public health and safety.
Fifth Place: Ingoga Technologies
Ingoga Technologies focuses on improving clinical care through AI-powered diagnostic and medical management tools. Their technology helps clinicians make faster and more accurate decisions, reducing error and supporting better patient outcomes. Ingoga’s system aligns with Rwanda’s long-term digital health goals and offers hospitals and clinics a practical tool to enhance service delivery.
Driving Rwanda’s Next Phase of Growth
Hanga Pitchfest 2025 once again highlights the strength, creativity and discipline within Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem. Through mentorship, validation and a rigorous selection process, the initiative continues to support entrepreneurs who are solving real problems with practical solutions.
The Top 5 finalists show what is possible when ideas are backed by structure and purpose. From sustainable textiles and emergency-response systems to diagnostic AI, grain management and preventive medtech, each startup demonstrates a strong commitment to improving lives and contributing to national development.
Re-banatex’s win captures the power of turning local challenges into global opportunities. The remaining finalists show that Rwanda’s entrepreneurial landscape is diverse and forward-looking, driven by individuals determined to build solutions that are simple, scalable and impactful.
Hanga Pitchfest remains a key platform for accelerating businesses that matter and strengthening Rwanda’s path toward an inclusive, innovative economy.
