We are thrilled to congratulate the Amalgamated Fresh Solutions team, who have been crowned the overall winner of the 2025 edition of Value Creation Challenge (VCC5), an incubator delivered by Stimulus Africa and powered by Old Mutual’s Eight2Five Hub and its partners. This year’s challenge highlighted the incredible potential of innovative startups, and Amalgamated Fresh Solutions stood out not only as the overall winner but also as the recipient of the Sustainability Pillar Award.
The announcement was made after the #Top20 enterprises pitched for the top spot in an awards ceremony held on 26th September 2025. This followed the vibrant ‘Dem-Day’ held on the 25th of September 2025 at Old Mutual’s Mutual Gardens Campus in Emerald Hill, where the top 20 participants showcased their innovative business ideas.
A Strong Network of Support
The Value Creation Challenge is made possible through the robust support of a diverse network of partners, including the British Council, British Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT), SNV Zimbabwe, Delta Corporation, the Embassy of Switzerland in Harare, and the Embassy of Sweden. Their invaluable contributions have significantly enhanced the program’s impact and reach in 2025.
The Journey to Success
The path to victory for Amalgamated Fresh Solutions—and the other top contenders—was paved through their participation in the Stimulus PAP (People Action Profit) Business Model Framework-based Incubator Programme. This rigorous business development programme, which ran from July to September 2025, included both virtual sessions via the Stimulus Business Partner platform and in-person workshops at the Eight2Five Hub. Participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum designed to refine their business models, enhance their pitches, and foster sustainability.
Honouring the Top Pillar Winners
In addition to Amalgamated Fresh Solutions‘ impressive achievements, other startups shone brightly in their respective categories:
- 🏆 Creative Industries: Evolve Design Studio
- 🏆 Emerging Industries: Flying Protein
- 🏆 Innovative Tech: HighRise Africa
Each of these pillar winners received US$10,000 to further their innovative endeavors, with Amalgamated Fresh Solutions receiving US$15,000 for winning the top spot.
Special Recognitions
The awards ceremony also honored outstanding contributions from rural and rural female-led enterprises. Golden Harvest Honey was awarded the Best Rural Enterprise prize of US$5,000, while Zela Enterprise received the Best Female-Led Enterprise award, also worth US$5,000, sponsored by the British Embassy in Harare.
Additional recognition was given to several runners-up across key innovation pillars, including:
- Kadelwa Arts in the Creative Industries Pillar
- Innofuzz Ventures in the Sustainability Pillar
- Procode Platforms in the Technology Pillar
- Ona Natural Oils in the Emerging Industries Pillar
Each runner-up also received US$5,000 to support their innovative journeys.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the achievements of Amalgamated Fresh Solutions and the other remarkable participants, we look forward to witnessing how these innovative startups will shape the future of their industries. The Value Creation Challenge continues to be a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of creativity, sustainability, and social impact across Zimbabwe.
Congratulations once again to all the winners and participants of the 2025 Value Creation Challenge! Your hard work and dedication are truly inspiring.
