EDHE Intervarsity 2024 Winner

ome moments don’t just shine—they blaze. On November 21, 2024, AL Winery did more than just take part in the EDHE Intervarsity National Entrepreneurship Competition—we took home the gold. Competing in the highly competitive “Existing Business with Social Impact” category, we stood tall, proud, and humbled to represent a new wave of purpose-driven entrepreneurship in South Africa.

From humble beginnings and overripe bananas to a nationwide platform celebrating innovation and social change, our journey to first place was more than a win—it was a validation of our values. Passion, sustainability, resilience, and a love for reinventing tradition were all on display. And now, we’re here to take you behind the scenes of that golden moment.

Our Road to EDHE

What began as a project to repurpose overripe bananas into premium non-alcoholic wine soon blossomed into a business grounded in circular innovation and social responsibility. When we applied to EDHE Intervarsity, we didn’t just bring a product—we brought a story. One that merged sustainability with indulgence, impact with elegance.

Selected from dozens of entrepreneurial student-led ventures across South Africa, our team advanced through regional rounds, refining our pitch, presentation, and presence. The months leading up to the finals were filled with sleepless nights, strategy sessions, tasting tables, and so many sticky notes.

What We Learned Along the Way

EDHE was more than a competition—it was a masterclass in entrepreneurial discipline. We honed our storytelling, clarified our impact metrics, and learned how to communicate not just our product, but our why. The feedback we received from mentors and judges sharpened our focus. More importantly, it reminded us that sustainability and profitability are not opposites—they’re allies.

We also realized how powerful our community is. Friends, mentors, early customers, and even fellow competitors cheered us on. That support fueled our fire on the big day.

The Moment We Won

When “AL Winery” was called out as the 1st Place Winner in our category, time slowed down. Smiles turned to tears, handshakes turned to hugs. We weren’t just celebrating a business win—we were celebrating what it stood for: innovation rooted in compassion and climate consciousness.

The win wasn’t just ours. It belonged to the farmers who grow the bananas, the consumers looking for healthier alternatives, the young entrepreneurs watching from the crowd, and the earth that benefits from every waste-free bottle we craft.

What This Means for AL Winery

Winning EDHE 2024 unlocked more than prestige—it opened doors to new networks, investors, and collaborators. But above all, it gave us renewed belief in our mission: to create a delicious, sustainable, alcohol-free future—one bottle at a time.

We’re currently scaling up, developing new blends, and expanding our distribution across the country. Every step is guided by what we’ve learned during this journey: stay authentic, stay accountable, and always chase impact over ego.