Zimbabwean manufacturer of biodegradable industrial lubricants wins national regional finale, securing a place in the global Startup World Cup competition.
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – Viridi Solutions, a Zimbabwean company pioneering the local manufacture of biodegradable lubricants and industrial oils from agricultural crops, has emerged as the winner of the Startup World Cup Zimbabwe 2026 Regional Finale, held on Friday, 16 October 2026, at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conference Centre in Harare.
The company was crowned Regional Champion following a competitive pitch event featuring ten Zimbabwean startups representing innovation across manufacturing, agriculture, artificial intelligence, financial technology, logistics, education and healthcare.
The victory secures Viridi Solutions an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, United States, on 6 November 2026, where regional champions from around the world will compete for a US$1 million investment prize.
Transforming Zimbabwe’s agricultural resources into industrial solutions
Founded by chemical engineer Collen Moyo, Viridi Solutions is developing an alternative to conventional petroleum-based industrial lubricants through the manufacture of non-toxic, biodegradable, vegetable-based oils using locally grown agricultural inputs.
The company’s innovation addresses two significant economic and environmental challenges: Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported industrial lubricants and the environmental impact of conventional mineral-based products.
According to Viridi Solutions, Zimbabwe imports an estimated US80milliontoUS95 million worth of mineral lubricants annually.
By developing locally manufactured alternatives, the company aims to reduce import dependence, create new markets for agricultural producers and strengthen Zimbabwe’s industrial value chains.
Viridi reports that its products have undergone testing by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and ZESA Holdings. The company also reports commercial supply relationships with customers including AFC, Petroline Zimbabwe, Steelmakers and Kadoma Rural District Council, alongside an initial export trial order into South Africa.
Its selection as Zimbabwe’s regional champion highlights the potential for locally developed industrial technologies to compete in international markets.
Zimbabwe’s emerging innovators take centre stage
The Startup World Cup Zimbabwe Regional Finale brought together ten startups selected from a competitive national application process.
The finalists were Bako Emergency Technologies, BantuBuzz, BonekaSuo, Corbeat, Cropvista (Verdian Ag), Ndarama Wallet, Nyamula Logistics, Pachena, Viridi Solutions and ZexaCore Innovations.
Each finalist presented its business model, market opportunity, competitive advantage and growth potential before an independent judging panel comprising:
Tarie Chirewa, Founder and CEO, House of Moringa
Owen A. Namusi, General Partner, Darena Ventures
Shephard Mphambela, Managing Executive, Bantima Cybersecurity Services
The regional competition provided an opportunity for founders to present their businesses to investors, corporate leaders, financial institutions and innovation ecosystem partners.
Building a bridge between Zimbabwean innovation and global capital
The Zimbabwe Regional Finale was hosted by Tech Hub Harare and Brieftech Investments, in partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures, the global organiser of Startup World Cup.
The initiative reflects a broader ambition to strengthen Zimbabwe’s startup ecosystem by connecting emerging enterprises with investment networks, strategic partners, mentorship and international markets.
Beyond the competition itself, the event provided a platform for startups to engage with potential investors and commercial partners, while demonstrating the diversity of innovation emerging from Zimbabwe.
The organisers view the competition as part of a longer-term effort to establish stronger pathways between promising Zimbabwean enterprises and the capital, expertise and commercial relationships required to scale.
Strong institutional and private-sector support
The regional competition was made possible through the support of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) as lead sponsor.
Supporting sponsors and partners included MMC Capital, Rainbow Tourism Group, the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe (NVCCZ), Morgan & Co, Investiq Oak Wealth and Muzu Kuru.
The organisers acknowledged the contribution of these institutions in supporting entrepreneurship, investment readiness and Zimbabwe’s participation in international innovation platforms.
The event was also livestreamed through the Tech Hub Harare YouTube channel, extending access to audiences beyond the physical venue.
From Harare to San Francisco
Viridi Solutions will now prepare to participate in the Startup World Cup global programme taking place from 4–6 November 2026 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
The Grand Finale will bring together leading startups, venture capital investors, corporate executives and innovation leaders from across the world.
For Viridi Solutions, the opportunity represents an important step towards greater international visibility, potential investment partnerships and commercial expansion.
For Zimbabwe, the company’s achievement provides an opportunity to demonstrate how local innovation, manufacturing expertise and agricultural resources can be combined to develop competitive industrial products.
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