Supported ventures

TerraNexus

TerraNexus (Pty) Ltd

Brands: TerraNexus Space Innovation

Flagship product: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Monitoring from space for South African large emitters

Founding team: Leeandran Annamalai (Applicant), GHGSat (Project Partner)

Application: Leveraging high-resolution satellite data from GHGSat to monitor methane and CO₂ emissions from South Africa’s largest industrial emitters. The platform provides facility-level insights to support climate mitigation, regulatory compliance, and access to climate finance.

Sector/Industry: Climate Technology / Earth Observation / Environmental Intelligence

Subsector: GHG Monitoring, MRV Systems, Industrial Emissions Analytics

Year founded and commenced operations: 2020

Year partnered with TuksNovation: 2025

Email address: lee.annamalai@terranexus.co.za

Description

TerraNexus Space Innovations proposes a pilot project to monitor Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, specifically methane and CO2, from space for South African large emitters. This initiative aims to address the lack of accurate data on industrial methane emissions in the country.

The solution involves acquiring and analysing high-resolution satellite data from GHGSat’s advanced space-based sensors to monitor key high-emitting sites like landfills and major facilities in mining, oil and gas and energy generation. The goal is to provide actionable insights for regulators and policymakers to implement targeted mitigation strategies and improve reporting frameworks.

Growth Objectives

Establish a robust and independent capability for monitoring methane emissions from major industrial sites and landfills in South Africa using space-based sensors.

The project aims to integrate these technologies into national environmental reporting and compliance frameworks, fostering a sustainable approach to methane emissions management and supporting the Earth Observation sector in South Africa. The immediate next phase is to expand into the monitoring of high emitting sectors in Africa.

Differentiation/Value Proposition

Provides independent wide-area measurements of actual emissions, verified and calibrated direct measurements endorsed by international Space Agencies.

Leverages GHGSat’s constellation of 12 satellites for higher revisit rates compared to competitors, with a local and regional focus on South Africa and Africa.

Business Stage/Phase

TerraNexus is in the pilot and validation phase:

  • TRL 4 at project start.
  • Targeting TRL 7 through analytics development and stakeholder testing.
  • Milestones include site selection, data acquisition, and emissions reporting.

Investment Stage/Phase

The venture is at the Seed Stage:

  • Funding supports pilot deployment, analytics development, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Preparing for commercial rollout via subscription-based “Insights as a Service” model.

Investment Raised

  • Own funds invested by the Founders to fund startup and operational expenses
  • SANSA NEOFrontiers Cohort 2 in collaboration with Tuksnovation – R958,650