Success Stories from FSAT LAB
See how the FSAT Lab Alumni Achieved success
Meet Paygenius
PayGenius is an African-focused payment processor helping businesses seamlessly accept and manage payments across multiple countries, currencies, and payment methods. By integrating with local fintech systems and supporting mobile money, bank transfers, and cards, the company simplifies Africa’s complex payment landscape, particularly for travel and cross-border transactions. With strong traction in South Africa and expansion underway in East Africa, PayGenius is leveraging partnerships, local presence, and innovation to scale its impact and make payments more efficient for businesses across the continent.
Meet Arable Grow
Arable Grow, founded in Somerset West, is pioneering sustainable food production through compact vertical farming systems that grow fresh produce exactly where it’s needed. By reducing water use, eliminating long supply chains, and delivering pesticide-free crops, the company addresses key challenges of food security and urbanisation in Africa. Having recently raised USD 50,000 toward a USD 100,000 pre-seed target, Arable Grow is now focused on scaling its impact across the Western Cape.
Meet BioAge
BioAge, an agri-biotech startup founded by Reuben Riley Rampersad, is driving innovation in sustainable agriculture through its development of organic, science-based fertilisers. Inspired by challenges faced by farmers, the company focuses on improving crop performance without harmful chemicals while promoting food security and economic growth. Following early recognition at AfricArena and other competitions, BioAge has grown through a strong emphasis on research, customer relationships, and resilience, and is now preparing to raise $5.2 million to scale production, expand across Africa, and advance future product development.
Meet Wisi-OI
WISI-Oi, founded by Phumi Körber, is Africa’s first video-based resale platform transforming how people buy and sell pre-loved fashion. Built on a peer-to-peer model, the platform enables users to declutter their wardrobes, earn income, and promote sustainable fashion through engaging video listings. Emerging from the founder’s personal experience and shaped during the пандемic, WISI-Oi has gained traction through innovation, community focus, and recognition in major startup competitions. Now bootstrapped and growing, the company is focused on scaling its marketplace, enhancing its technology, and raising $350,000 to expand its reach and impact within Africa’s rapidly growing e-commerce space.
Meet Empiras Global Academy
Empiras Global Academy, founded by Gugu and Lungile Ntuli, is a South African EdTech startup providing alternative education pathways such as homeschooling, study abroad, and work abroad opportunities. Drawing from decades of personal experience, the company aims to address inequality in access to quality education across Africa. With a growing demand for its all-in-one platform, Empiras has gained industry recognition and is now focused on scaling its operations, forming global partnerships, and raising funding to expand its impact and reach more students across the continent.