University Technology Fund

MariHealth Solutions is a marine biotech startup from South Africa, operating in the aquaculture healthcare sector. Currently, more than half the seafood we consume comes from aquaculture, and it is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the growing demand for high protein content foods will be met by aquaculture. However, aquaculture is not immune to unsustainable practices and high costs. For example, animal feeds for farmed fish account for up to 60% of the total production costs in commercial farming, while intensive farming is the main driver of animal stress, with disease outbreaks being responsible for 30-80% of losses. To solve this, MariHealth Solutions is leveraging biotechnology by developing a diagnostic molecular screening tool for effectively and proactively monitoring the impact of farming operations on farmed fish and shellfish. This will ultimately enable vets, farmers, and fish feed companies in optimizing farming operations and nutrition to reduce animal stress and disease outbreaks. In the long-term, this seeks to ensure a more sustainable approach to farming seafood by enabling the reduction of production costs and mitigating feed waste.

MariHealth Solutions is a marine biotech startup from South Africa, operating in the aquaculture healthcare sector. Currently, more than half the seafood we consume comes from aquaculture, and it is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the growing demand for high protein content foods will be met by aquaculture. However, aquaculture is not immune to unsustainable practices and high costs. For example, animal feeds for farmed fish account for up to 60% of the total production costs in commercial farming, while intensive farming is the main driver of animal stress, with disease outbreaks being responsible for 30-80% of losses. To solve this, MariHealth Solutions is leveraging biotechnology by developing a diagnostic molecular screening tool for effectively and proactively monitoring the impact of farming operations on farmed fish and shellfish. This will ultimately enable vets, farmers, and fish feed companies in optimizing farming operations and nutrition to reduce animal stress and disease outbreaks. In the long-term, this seeks to ensure a more sustainable approach to farming seafood by enabling the reduction of production costs and mitigating feed waste.

MariHealth Solutions is a marine biotech startup from South Africa, operating in the aquaculture healthcare sector. Currently, more than half the seafood we consume comes from aquaculture, and it is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the growing demand for high protein content foods will be met by aquaculture. However, aquaculture is not immune to unsustainable practices and high costs. For example, animal feeds for farmed fish account for up to 60% of the total production costs in commercial farming, while intensive farming is the main driver of animal stress, with disease outbreaks being responsible for 30-80% of losses. To solve this, MariHealth Solutions is leveraging biotechnology by developing a diagnostic molecular screening tool for effectively and proactively monitoring the impact of farming operations on farmed fish and shellfish. This will ultimately enable vets, farmers, and fish feed companies in optimizing farming operations and nutrition to reduce animal stress and disease outbreaks. In the long-term, this seeks to ensure a more sustainable approach to farming seafood by enabling the reduction of production costs and mitigating feed waste.

Stellenbosch Nanofiber Company (Pty) Ltd, founded in 2011 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, specializes in the manufacturing and commercialization of nanofiber materials. The company develops advanced nanofiber technologies, including high-throughput electrospinning processes for polymeric nanofibers and methods for producing continuous nanofiber yarns. Its product range includes nanofiber-based scaffolds, matrices, barriers, and functional membranes, which find applications in various sectors such as water and air purification, energy generation and storage, regenerative medicine, structural composites, and electronics.