Attacq plants the seeds for a sustainable future with the Green Seeds Competition

The inaugural Green Seeds Competition marks a bold step in Attacq’s commitment to positively impacting communities and the environment. This initiative reflects Attacq’s dedication to embedding sustainability and social impact into the core of its business principles, highlighting its purpose-driven approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies.

In partnership with Property Point, the Green Seeds Competition was designed as a launchpad for entrepreneurial ideas that challenge conventional thinking and reevaluate sustainability within the property sector. Anchored in a “Dragons’ Den”-style format, the competition invited participants to pitch innovative solutions tailored to Attacq’s operational needs rather than merely submitting profiles. The aim was to inspire out-of-the-box thinking and foster scalable ideas to transform how Attacq builds, manages, and sustains its properties.
 
“The Green Seeds Competition is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and innovation in the property sector. We aim to foster inclusive growth and long-term value for the industry by enabling entrepreneurs to create environmentally conscious and impactful solutions.” Shawn Theunissen, Property Point Founder
 
Over several months, the competition’s journey unfolded in stages, demanding tenacity and ingenuity from participants. Entrepreneurs were given six weeks in the first phase to craft their concepts into actionable, well-researched proposals. The presentations were tested through three dynamic rounds, beginning with the operational team, then moving on to the executive team, and culminating with the board. The final round sought to gauge market readiness and return on investment (ROI) for Attacq. Participants had just 15 minutes to wow the adjudicators. The finalists returned with refined pitches, sharpened by more profound research and interrogated to ensure scalability, sound business models, and measurable impact.
 
The Green Seeds Competition is a testament to innovation and a commitment to creating opportunities. The winning entrepreneur received a R50,000 equity investment to further develop their idea, alongside the chance to pilot their solution at Attacq’s properties. Additionally, Attacq is exploring ways to integrate these solutions into its supply chain, amplifying their potential for long-term impact and fostering the creation of new green jobs.

This year’s competition culminated in a finale at Waterfall City, where three finalists presented their ideas to the judges and an engaged audience. Months of hard work and a shared commitment to a greener future shone through in every pitch. The competition proved fertile ground for ambitious ideas addressing pressing challenges in South Africa’s evolving socio-economic landscape.

“By merging social impact with business innovation, the Green Seeds Programme serves as a launchpad for entrepreneurs,” said Danny Vermeulen, Human Capital and Transformation Manager at Attacq. “It provides the skills, guidance, and green economy expertise needed to foster sustainable solutions within our industry.”
 
Attacq’s commitment extends beyond nurturing talent to ensuring these businesses address current needs while staying relevant for the future. By fostering entrepreneurial innovation and sustainable practices, the company aligns its objectives with creating shared value for all stakeholders.
The inaugural competition’s winner, Josephine Sidambe, Managing Director and Co-founder of Ingqwele Consulting & Project Management Pty Ltd., emerged as a visionary leader. Her market-ready approach to sustainability underscores the programme’s success in driving transformative solutions.

“Together, we are planting the seeds of tomorrow’s innovation today.” Concluded Danny Vermeulen