OneBio Secures R20 Million Grant to Propel African Biotech Innovation and Venture Building

The OneBio Innovation Centre has announced a R20 million ($1.16 million) grant facility designed to supercharge its venture-building efforts across the African continent. This capital injection aims to de-risk early-stage biotech innovation and facilitate the transition from laboratory research to commercial viability. The grant serves as direct fuel for high-impact companies tackling complex biological challenges and aims to catalyze existing efforts in the region. Based in Cape Town’s Science District, OneBio operates as a hybrid incubator and venture studio, providing critical infrastructure that is often too capital-intensive for new founders. Their Salt River facility offers plug-and-play laboratories and office spaces, significantly lowering the barriers to entry for scientific entrepreneurs. By fostering this supportive ecosystem, they enable startups to focus on innovation rather than the high overhead costs of specialized equipment.

As the sector moves toward a TechBio model, OneBio-supported startups are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate drug discovery and genomics research. This intersection of data science and biology is expected to define the organization’s future portfolio as they scale their operations. Founders can leverage these computational tools within a connected community that shares both hardware and market insights to speed up the development process.

The leadership team, including Managing Director Hana Faulds and Director Dr. Nick Walker, emphasizes that biotech requires a connected, supportive ecosystem to succeed. The organization has already facilitated notable successes, such as CapeBio and Altera Biosciences, which secured significant pre-seed funding in late 2025. This new grant facility will further strengthen these efforts by providing a safety net for deep-tech exploration in a capital-constrained market.

Beyond hardware and funding, OneBio remains committed to building a robust community through events like the Sweat Africa Conference. These initiatives bring together global investors and local talent to cross-pollinate ideas and drive long-term investment. The ultimate goal is to build a self-sustaining bioeconomy that places African scientific talent and globally relevant biotech companies on the world stage.