Fuel-saving startup Ducere Holdings has been named winner of the City of Johannesburg’s Green City Startup competition, walking away with ZAR1 million (US$72,000) for its hydraulic version of hybrid transmission for vehicles.
Disrupt Africa reported earlier this month eight finalists of the Green City Startup competition, which is in its second year, had been awarded ZAR250,000 (US$18,750) each to develop prototypes of their ideas.
Ducere Holdings has now been named the overall winner, having developed a new, hydraulic version of hybrid transmission for vehicles that offers fuel savings of up to 70 per cent and significantly reduced emissions. This transmission, called MISER, can be fitted to existing vehicles.
First runner up Solid Insight was awarded ZAR400,000 (US$29,000) to further develop its cloud-based technology solution for managing resources in buildings accurately and in real time, while third place and ZAR300,000 (US$22,000) went to Rydawi Fish Farms for its Farm-in-a-box system.
“This competition accelerates green innovation in Johannesburg in terms of our buildings, energy and water use, transport and waste. We had a surge in entries this year, which is great as we want Jozi citizens to be conscious of creating a greener city as they live, work and play here,” said Ravi Naidoo, executive director at the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development.
