South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Riovic Energy transforms waste into clean energy batteries. We divert landfill waste and create sustainable LFP for a greener future.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Riovic Energy is a young, innovative startup tackling Africa's waste management and clean energy challenges simultaneously. We're developing an innovative process that converts everyday waste – food scraps, plastic packaging, even old electronics – into Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), a critical component in lithium-ion batteries. Through a multi-stage process, we extract valuable materials from waste and combine them to create LFP, reducing reliance on environmentally destructive mining practices.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Africa faces a dual challenge: overflowing landfills due to increasing waste generation and a growing need for clean energy storage solutions. Traditional LFP mining for batteries raises environmental concerns and social injustices in other parts of the world. We tackle both issues through a waste-to-LFP process. Here's how: - Waste Management Crisis: In Africa, landfills are reaching capacity. We divert waste from landfills, promoting a circular economy and reducing environmental pollution. - Unsustainable Mining Practices: Current reliance on LFP mining in other continents raises concerns about environmental degradation and social issues like child labor. We offer an alternative by creating LFP from waste within Africa, reducing the need for harmful mining practices. - Limited Clean Energy Options: Africa's transition to clean energy is slowed by a lack of readily available and sustainable battery storage solutions. We empower African countries to develop clean energy infrastructure.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Riovic Energy offers a triple win for Africa's future: 1. Environmental Sustainability: We divert waste from landfills, minimize reliance on virgin LFP mining, and create a cleaner environment for communities. 2. Clean Energy Solutions: Our waste-to-LFP process supports the transition to clean energy storage, powering a more sustainable future for Africa. 3. Socioeconomic Opportunity: Riovic Energy creates jobs in waste collection, processing, and LFP production, promoting economic growth and empowering local communities.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our solution has a multi-pronged target audience: - Local Communities: Our waste management services address overflowing landfills, improving public health and sanitation in communities. Additionally, we create job opportunities in waste collection, processing, and LFP production, stimulating local economies. - Battery Manufacturers: As the demand for clean energy storage solutions rises, Riovic Energy offers a reliable and sustainable source of LFP for battery production within Africa. This reduces reliance on imported components and strengthens the continent's clean energy ecosystem. - Environmental Organizations: We align with environmental groups seeking to minimize landfill waste and promote responsible resource utilization. Our waste-to-LFP process reduces environmental pollution and promotes a circular economy, creating a cleaner future for Africa. - Government Agencies: African governments can benefit from our sustainable waste diversion strategy.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-06-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Sibo Mkhonta (female), who plays the role of chief scientist holds a BSc in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering and has experience working in anthracite coal mining under various roles. Nganono Dlamini (male), who plays the role of chief environmentalist hold an NDip in Crop Production and has worked in the forestry industry. Phiwa Nkambule (male), who plays the role of chief innovator has extensive experience in bringing new ideas to life and building commercial relationships.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://riovic.energy

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By creating jobs in waste collection, processing, and LFP production, Riovic Energy stimulates local economies and empowers communities, particularly those struggling with poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Our waste-to-LFP solution supports the development of clean energy infrastructure in Africa by providing a sustainable source of LFP for battery production. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and promotes access to clean energy for African communities.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Riovic Energy creates decent work opportunities across various skillsets – waste collection, processing facility operations, and LFP production. This promotes economic growth and fosters a skilled workforce in the clean energy sector.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Our waste-to-LFP process is a prime example of sustainable innovation. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, Riovic Energy fosters responsible industrial practices and strengthens Africa's clean energy infrastructure.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

By diverting waste from landfills, Riovic Energy promotes cleaner and healthier communities in Africa. This reduces environmental pollution and public health risks associated with overflowing landfills.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Riovic Energy's core concept revolves around responsible resource utilization. We promote a circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource for clean energy storage, reducing reliance on virgin material extraction.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our waste-to-LFP process contributes to climate action by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in two ways. Firstly, by diverting waste from landfills, we reduce methane emissions from organic waste decomposition. Secondly, through the production of LFP for clean energy storage solutions, Riovic Energy enables the transition away from fossil fuel dependence.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

4

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Riovic Energy strongly believes our waste-to-LFP process is innovative. Here's why: - Novel Approach to LFP Production: While LFP is a known battery component, currently, traditional mining methods dominate its production. Riovic's solution utilizes everyday waste – a previously untapped resource – to create LFP. This approach is entirely new and represents a significant shift in the LFP production landscape. - Multi-Stage Waste Conversion: Our process isn't simply recycling waste. It's a multi-stage conversion process that extracts valuable resources (carbon, iron, phosphoric acid) from diverse waste streams and transforms them into LFP. This innovative approach maximizes resource recovery from waste. - Addressing Unsolved Challenges: Existing waste management and LFP production methods create environmental and social issues. Riovic's technology tackles both problems simultaneously, offering a solution where existing approaches fall short.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

- Traditional LFP Mining Companies: These companies focus on mining LFP from the earth's crust. Riovic Energy stands out by offering a sustainable alternative that eliminates the environmental and social issues associated with mining. - Waste Management Companies: Existing waste management companies primarily focus on landfill disposal or basic recycling processes. Riovic Energy goes beyond basic waste management by transforming waste into a valuable resource for clean energy storage. - Battery Recycling Companies: Companies specializing in battery recycling recover materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. Riovic Energy operates upstream by creating new LFP from waste, reducing reliance on recycled battery materials and creating a more circular economy.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes. Every startup I found includes a female co-founder.