In Zimbabwe, resilience is essential and a new generation of entrepreneurs is showing that innovation can succeed despite tough challenges. Old Mutual’s Eight2Five Innovation Hub 2025 Value Creation Challenge (VCC5) has once again brought together some of the most promising startups celebrating ingenuity, grit and the power of ideas to reshape industries.
This year’s awards carried a strong message that African entrepreneurship is not only alive but accelerating, with rural innovators standing shoulder to shoulder with tech disruptors and sustainability pioneers.
Honouring Rural Innovation
Among the most moving recognitions was the celebration of rural enterprises, whose achievements often remain overlooked in the broader narrative of African innovation. The Best Rural Entrepreneurs of 2025 went to Golden Harvest Honey and Zela Enterprise, who walked away with $5 000 each.
These ventures embody the ingenuity of rural Zimbabwe, transforming local resources into enterprises with both social and economic impact. Their recognition was supported by the British Embassy, with His Excellency Pete Vowles, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe, commending their work as vital contributions to community resilience and rural prosperity.
The Overall Winner: Amalgamated Fresh Solutions
At the heart of the competition, one company captured the judges’ attention with its bold vision and execution. Amalgamated Fresh Solutions, winner of the Sustainability Pillar and the overall champion of VCC5, stood out for its innovative approach to sustainable agriculture and resource management.
By blending profitability with environmental stewardship, the company set a benchmark for African businesses that aspire to grow while leaving a lasting positive footprint. They walked away with a total of $15 000.
Celebrating Category Winners
The competition showcased diverse industries and the entrepreneurs pushing their boundaries. The winners in each pillar demonstrated how African startups are reimagining growth across sectors:
- Creative Industries: Evolve Design Studio – $10 000.
- Emerging Industries: Flying Protein – $10 000.
- Innovative Tech: HighRise Africa (Pvt) Limited – $10 000.
- Sustainability: Amalgamated Fresh Solutions – $10 000.
Each of these startups illustrated how creativity, science, and technology can be applied to solve local problems while competing on global terms.
Recognising the Runner-ups
In addition to the winners, the runner-ups underscored the depth of entrepreneurial talent in Zimbabwe:
- Creative Industries: Kadelwa Arts – $5 000.
- Emerging Industries: Ona Natural Oils – $5 000.
- Innovative Tech: Procode Platforms – $5 000.
- Sustainability: InnoFuzz Ventures – $5 000.
Their achievements remind us that innovation is not confined to a podium finish; it is part of a broader movement reshaping Africa’s business ecosystem.
Behind the spotlight of the awards lies the crucial role of enablers like Eight2Five Innovation Hub, powered by Old Mutual. More than just a space, the hub has become a catalyst for entrepreneurial transformation, offering startups access to networks, financial literacy, mentorship and funding opportunities.
So far, Old Mutual has trained over 430 Zimbabwean individuals and supported over 63 SMEs, equipping them with the skills and resilience needed to navigate volatile markets. With sustainability at its core, Old Mutual’s strategy is to empower Zimbabweans to shape their own future and drive the revival of their economy.
A Future Defined by Resilience and Ingenuity
The 2025 Value Creation Challenge did more than celebrate individual companies. It told a story of a country leaning into its entrepreneurial spirit, with young businesses tackling challenges head-on and transforming them into opportunities.
From honey producers in rural districts to high-tech disruptors in Harare, Zimbabwe’s innovators are showing the world that African entrepreneurship is as much about resilience as it is about imagination.
The VCC5 winners have proven that with the right support and determination, African entrepreneurs can carve out pathways of growth that are sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive.
