RMB Ventures is in proud partnership with Afrikelp®, a uniquely South African manufacturer of seaweed bio-stimulants, offering an eco-friendly solution for the global agricultural sector.

The innovative business holds sustainability at its core and is taking great strides in protecting marine ecosystems in South Africa while harnessing the power of the ocean to support food production. This reflects RMB Venture’s commitment to green, impactful investments. These are the latest developments in our continued relationship with this pioneering business.

Investing in the power of science

Afrikelp® invests considerable time, resources and expertise into understanding kelp forests and the associated biodiversity to further improve kelp harvesting management. In the past few years, they have made great strides in collecting scientific data and collaborating with universities, monitoring bodies and experts in the field.

Dr Nicole Hart, Chief Executive Officer of Afrikelp® says, “We have worked consistently over the past four years to enhance our knowledge on the quality and availability of kelp in the Western Cape to guide our harvesting operations. Coupled with the latest extraction technology and quality control, we have increased our expertise on the benefits of kelp bio-stimulants and how and when they can have the most significant positive impacts. We have invested in over 160 successful trials, many with external independent trial companies, across the main crops, areas and soil types where Afrikelp® is used. We have also invested in scientists, laboratories and equipment to be able to bring the latest science to our partners. This investment in science is significantly higher than most other manufacturers of kelp bio-stimulants in the space globally.”

Championing sustainability

Afrikelp®’s business relies on the ongoing supply of seaweed, so they have made it a priority to champion the protection of kelp forests and the health of the ocean. Collaboration is key and Afrikelp® has driven the formation of the Kelp Scientific Collaboration (KSC), which serves as a partnership platform that aims to bring together the resources, tools, and funding of key players in the market, industry, regulatory, environmental protection agencies, and universities from the private and public sectors to support the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of the Great South African Kelp Forest. Afrikelp® has also independently developed a kelp harvesting monitoring system with 24-hour, remote audited, GPS tracking that protects the sustainability of its designated locations.

Says Hart, “We’re hoping that our approach will gain traction and that all kelp harvesting in the country can be mapped and reported through a live tracking, auditable tool in the future. Our progress in this space has demonstrated that it’s possible.”

Hart adds, “RMB Ventures have been truly supportive and really care about sustainability. They have encouraged our enthusiasm and have contributed a great deal in articulating the commercial and financial benefits that come from sustainability projects. They have also given us ideas on how sustainability can be better leveraged.”

A new executive for Afrikelp®’s US operations

Afrikelp® has grown significantly into Eastern Europe, Australia, Southern Africa and the United States. As part of its 60% growth in the US, they were looking for a skilled US executive to lead this new chapter for the business. The hiring process was initially difficult, and a challenge that Afrikelp® ran past the RMB Ventures team.

Hart says, “The strength of RMB Venture’s network was a great help to us. The team assisted us in deepening our understanding for the type of roles we needed to create. Then, through their network, we were able to meet with an international executive recruitment firm to assist in hiring a non-executive director in the USA market, as well as a South African executive to focus on the USA.”

This speaks to the ongoing benefits of the strategic equity partnership between Afrikelp® and RMB Ventures. Hart adds, “In our board meetings and discussions, we get access to senior, strategic capacity. When we encounter challenges, we are able to draw from the vast experience of the RMB Ventures team.”

A foundation for the future

“RMB Ventures has also supported us in moving premises – a significant feat that included enhancements for production, warehousing, people and the addition of our own laboratories. Since the move, we have realised fantastic growth, with visitors to the new premises gaining an understanding of our products and processes and giving them confidence in purchasing them,” says Hart.

Looking to the future, Afrikelp® plans to continue its growth trajectory, grow its people and product lines and strengthen its partnerships. From a sustainability perspective, they will continue to drive the kelp resource management collaborations and build further scientific data on benefits of kelp bio-stimulants to support agriculture. RMB Ventures looks forward to working alongside them as they continue to thrive.

For media queries, please email penny.motsomai@rmb.co.za or renee@littleblackbookpr.co.za