TERRANEXUS SPACE INNOVATION
Earth Observation / Methane Monitoring
Satellite-based methane monitoring for landfills and coal mines across Africa.
LEARN MORE →Centauri Space Startup Programme
Building South Africa's Pipeline From Innovation to Investment
The Centauri Space Startup Programme accelerates high-potential South African space-tech ventures, connecting them with catalytic capital, technical infrastructure, and strategic partners to move from early-stage innovation to commercial and industrial impact.
12
SELECTED VENTURES
From 55 applications.
R3–5M
CATALYTIC CAPITAL
For qualifying ventures
in Phase 2
2
PROGRAMME PHASES
6-month accelerator
(Jul–Dec 2026)
A STRONGER SPACE ECONOMY
Commercial. Inclusive. African.
A Launchpad for the new space economy
Africa’s space sector is moving from ambition to infrastructure, but early-stage ventures still lack the capital, technical facilities and industry access to scale.
The Centauri Space Startup Programme exists to close that gap.
Delivered by RIIS in partnership with Riversands iHub and Cape Constellation and funded by the SA SME Fund, the programme supports high-potential South African space-tech startups through a structured accelerator, technical mentorship and access to catalytic capital.
By connecting founders with infrastructure, investors and industry partners, Centauri creates the conditions for a sustainable, commercially viable African space sector.
For investors, partners, and industry stakeholders, Centauri offers a curated view into some of Africa’s most promising, investment-ready space-tech ventures.
FROM STARTUP TO INVESTMENT
Centauri provides an end-to-end pathway for high-potential space-tech ventures. Phase 1 of Centauri brings together a cohort of 12 South African space-tech startups for a 6-month accelerator (July–December 2026).
Each startup has been selected for its technical potential and commercial viability, with qualifying ventures progressing to Phase 2 (January–November 2027) for catalytic capital of approximately R3–5 million.
BUILD
Structured mentorship and training to move ventures from early-stage innovation to commercial readiness.
TEST
Access to testing, prototyping and technical facilities through Riversands iHub and Cape Constellation.
CONNECT
Building relationships across South Africa's space and satellite ecosystem.
VALIDATE
Facilitating meaningful connections with industry, government, and research partners.
FUND
Connecting qualifying ventures with catalytic capital of approximately R3–5 million in Phase 2.
SCALE
Supporting a sustainable, commercially viable South African space sector.
MEET THE STARTUPS
Twelve South African space-tech ventures, selected for Phase 1 of the Centauri Space Startup Programme.
PETRAWELL
Space Manufacturing / Composite Structures
Composite structures and bespoke manufacturing for space vehicles, supplying local space OEMs.
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JJ HARNESSING
Space Manufacturing / Wiring & Electronics
High-reliability wiring harnesses and PCB assemblies for aerospace and space clients.
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ABIRI INNOVATIONS
Earth Observation / Satellite Positioning
GPS, IoT and satellite positioning for livestock tracking and farm monitoring.
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CHROMAR TECHNOLOGY
Optical Systems / Space Hardware
Custom optical systems and space hardware, with 14 designs already in orbit.
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SOLID STATE PROPULSION
Satellite Propulsion / Hardware
Compact electric propulsion modules for PocketQube and CubeSat platforms.
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Kombuta
Onboard Processing / Satellite Payloads
FPGA/RISC-V onboard processing for low-power satellite AI and Earth-observation data.
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LAMBDA-G
RF Hardware / Antennas
Additively manufactured antennas for satellites, UAVs and defence platforms.
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Medical Consortium of Africa
Earth Observation / Public Health
Satellite analytics for monitoring water-borne disease and public-health risks.
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DIGITIZE AFRICA SUSTAINABLY
Climate / ESG Intelligence
Satellite-enabled climate and ESG intelligence for agricultural value chains.
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GEO REGREEN
Land Intelligence / Environmental Monitoring
Satellite, sensor and soil intelligence for land rehabilitation and regenerative agriculture.
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GEMINI GIS & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Satellite & Drone Monitoring
Satellite and drone monitoring for detecting and verifying illegal dumping.
LEARN MORE →INVEST. PARTNER. SCALE.
LET’S BUILD THE FUTURE OF AFRICA’S SPACE ECONOMY.
Centauri connects investors, industry partners and ecosystem actors with a curated pipeline of high-potential South African space-tech ventures.
REAL SOLUTIONS
AFRICAN INNOVATION
GLOBAL IMPACT
CONTACT FORM
GET IN TOUCH
Tell us how you’d like to get involved.
MEET THE PARTNERS
RIIS is a strategic advisory and innovation firm supporting organisations across space, mining, health, energy and finance through strategy, communications and innovation support.
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A South African space innovation hub supporting space-tech companies through shared infrastructure, mentorship, venture-building support and ecosystem connections.
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A South African entrepreneurial ecosystem providing SMEs with business support, professional services, infrastructure, advisory services and growth programmes.
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