Regenize, a South African startup championing zero waste and recycling accessibility, has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from E Squared Investments. This marks E Squared’s first-ever venture philanthropy transaction, introducing a new model that merges social impact goals with venture capital strategies.
Regenize: Transforming South Africa’s Recycling Ecosystem
Founded on a mission to make recycling accessible to all, Regenize operates through a decentralised network of community-based recycling hubs. The startup’s approach not only promotes carbon-positive waste management, but also integrates informal waste workers—ensuring economic inclusion while addressing environmental concerns.
“Over the past few years, Regenize has been building a recycling solution tailored to South Africa’s needs—accessible, sustainable, and inclusive,” said Chad Robertson, CEO and co-founder of Regenize.
“It’s rare to find investors who understand both the business case and the social impact. From day one, E Squared recognized the value of our decentralised model and informal waste sector integration. Their support has been strategic—not just financial.”
What E Squared’s Venture Philanthropy Investment Means for Regenize
The investment will enable Regenize to:
- Expand its decentralised recycling hub network
- Provide free recycling services to over 26,000 households across South Africa
- Create more than 180 new jobs in underserved communities
E Squared Investments has launched its venture philanthropy model to support mission-driven startups like Regenize. The strategy blends patient capital with high-engagement support, allowing it to fund riskier initiatives that can catalyze lasting impact.
“We’re not just investing in social enterprises—we’re reshaping how impact funding works in Africa,” said Thato Ntseare, Investment Manager at E Squared Investments.
“By providing patient capital, we help de-risk innovation in underserved sectors and encourage co-investment. Our capital is catalytic, empowering enterprises like Regenize to scale solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges.”
Regenize’s Model: Where Recycling, Inclusion, and Sustainability Meet
Regenize’s impact model sets it apart in the African green tech and circular economy space. Its community-centric approach not only addresses waste management and sustainability, but also:
- Reduces carbon emissions
- Empowers informal waste pickers
- Increases recycling participation in low-income communities
As the company scales with the support of E Squared, it aims to build a national blueprint for inclusive, tech-enabled waste solutions in South Africa.
