Supported ventures

Instrumental (Bio) Technologies

Instrumental (Bio) Technologies (Pty) Ltd

Brands: Instrumental (Bio) Technologies

Flagship product: A fully or semi-autonomous platform consisting of an eDNA analyser equipped with DNA collecting filters, on-site eDNA analysis using microfluidic chips and biosensors, and real-time data analysis and visualization

Founding team: Dr Bulelani Sizani, Ms Bulelwa Nyawula

Application: Autonomous eDNA sampling, biosensor analysis, and real-time data integration to detect waterborne, airborne, and soilborne pathogens for early disease surveillance and environmental risk mitigation

Sector/Industry: Agriculture, health, other: disaster risk reduction and early warning systems

Subsector: Health, agriculture, water management, early warning systems

Year founded and commenced operations: The company, Instrumental (Bio) Technologies, was registered in 2024.

Year partnered with TuksNovation: 2025

Website: instrumentalbiotechnologies.com 

Description

Instrumental (Bio) Technologies is developing a “Water Disease Monitoring System” for remote analysis of disease-causing microbes in real-time. This technology aims to provide early warning and risk reduction for waterborne, airborne, and soilborne diseases.

The core product is an autonomous eDNA analyser platform that collects and analyses environmental DNA using biosensors and microfluidic chips, integrating with web servers for real-time data visualization and alerts.

Growth Objectives

To develop and commercialize a data-intensive real-time data mining platform for surveillance of disease-causing microbes.

The goal is to provide early warning systems and disaster risk reduction tools for the agricultural, water, and health industries, initially focusing on waterborne diseases but with applications for airborne and soilborne pathogens.

The platform aims to be integrated with Earth Observation (EO) tools for enhanced risk prediction and to be customizable for various client needs.

Differentiation/Value Proposition

The solution differentiates by offering real-time, in-situ DNA-based identification of disease-causing microbes, addressing the limitations of current optical satellite imagery which cannot detect non-colorimetric effects like cholera or pollutants at low concentrations.

It provides accurate pathogen identification, measures environmental effects on organisms, and can be used standalone or integrated with existing risk monitoring systems. The platform is fully autonomous, performs on-site DNA analysis, and offers real-time data analysis and visualization, with customizable molecular biomarkers.

Business Stage/Phase

Instrumental (Bio)Technologies is in the early validation and pilot phase:

  • TRL 3: Proof of concept established
  • TRL 4-7: Prototype development, on-site testing, and pilot deployment
  • Preparing for commercial readiness and market rollout

Investment Stage/Phase

  • The venture has secured Seed funding to complete prototyping and initiate pilot deployments
  • Preparing for follow-on investment to support commercialisation and
    scale-up

Investment Raised

Instrumental (Bio)Technologies has raised funding from the following sources:

  • Self-funded initial development
    Irish Aid Accelerator Program (2024): €300 (~ R5,850)
  • Africa Science Entrepreneurship (ASE) Program (2024): 18-month support
  • TIA Seed Fund in partnership with Tuksnovation – R801,000