Supported ventures

Aphelion World

Aphelion World (Pty) Ltd

Brands: Aphelion World

Flagship product: 3D Flood Simulation for Disaster Risk Assessment

Founding team: Dr Willard Mapurisa

Application: Earth Observation (EO) and 3D flood simulation for disaster risk management

Sector/Industry: Technology 

Subsector: Earth Observation and Disaster Risk Assessment

Year founded and commenced operations: 2022

Year partnered with TuksNovation: 2024

Email address: info@aphelionworld.co.za  

Website: aphelionworld.co.za

 

Description

Founded in 2022, Aphelion World leverages Earth Observation (EO) technology to address everyday challenges in sustainable growth and disaster risk management. Its flagship product, a 3D flood simulation system, uses remote sensing and photogrammetry to model flood zones, assess vulnerable infrastructure, and quantify potential damage. 

Targeting smart cities, insurers, and urban planners, the platform supports real-time rescue planning, infrastructure monitoring, and risk assessment. By integrating satellite imagery and LiDAR data, Aphelion World empowers decision-makers to minimize losses to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure through innovative, data-driven solutions.

Growth Objectives

Aphelion World aims to scale its 3D flood simulation system to enhance disaster preparedness and sustainable urban planning.

Their growth objectives include: 

  • Expanding Market Reach: Deploy the system for smart cities and disaster-prone regions globally. 
  • Overcoming Technical Challenges: Ensure accurate 3D modeling and real-time simulation capabilities. 
  • Ensuring Accessibility: Develop an online system for widespread user adoption. 
  • Increasing Revenue: Market to insurers, urban planners, and government agencies for risk assessment and planning. 
  • Achieving Sustainable Growth: Leverage EO technology to address resource monitoring, infrastructure management, and disaster mitigation needs sustainably.

Differentiation/Value Proposition

Aphelion World offers a compelling value proposition through its EO-based 3D flood simulation system.

Key elements include: 

  • Innovative Simulation: Simulates floods in 3D using EO data, providing realistic disaster impact assessments. 
  • Digital Twin Technology: Creates digital twins for smart cities, enhancing urban planning and rescue operations. 
  • Real-Time Planning: Enables real-time decision-making in inaccessible disaster zones. 
  • Risk Assessment: Quantifies infrastructure vulnerability for insurance and mitigation strategies. 
  • Scalable Solutions: Applicable to resource monitoring, infrastructure management, and urban development.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduces losses by informing proactive interventions with precise data.

Business Stage/Phase

Aphelion World is in the Early Growth stage of its business cycle, focusing on product development and market entry.

Key aspects include: 

  • Product Commercialization: Developing an online 3D flood simulation system with testing underway. 
  • Market Expansion: Targeting smart cities, insurers, and urban planners for initial adoption. 
  • Revenue Generation: Planning marketing efforts to drive system uptake post-deployment. 
  • Scalability: Building a robust backend and frontend for broad EO applications.
  • Sustainability: Aiming to solve everyday challenges in disaster risk and resource management sustainably.

Investment Stage/Phase

The company is at the Seed Investment Stage, focusing on: 

  • Product Development: Building and testing the 3D flood simulation system. 
  • System Validation: Conducting unit, integration, and user acceptance testing. 
  • Market Readiness: Preparing for deployment and marketing to target sectors over the next 12–18 months (timeline inferred).

Investment Raised

Aphelion World has raised funding from the following sources so far:

  • Self-funded initial capital in 2022 to establish operations.
  • SANSA NEOFrontiers funding round (Seed) in 2024.