Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Timeline
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Gregory Daynes

Growth Director
Cape Town

Summary

Entrepreneurial business leader with 12+ years’ experience founding, scaling, and exiting companies across sustainability, agri-tech, FMCG, and energy efficiency. Proven ability to design and grow ventures from start-up through to successful exit. Experienced in operations, strategy, ESG implementation, and financial oversight, with strong commercial acumen and a track record of closing large contracts and expanding market share. Currently leading Future Farms, a climate-smart farming venture recognized by the African Development Bank as Best Startup of the Year, and Impact Nexus Africa, a platform focused on sustainability and impact development. Skilled at bridging environmental consulting, business development, and financial leadership to help companies grow, secure funding, and meet sustainability objectives.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Founder

Impact Nexus Africa
01.2023 - Current
  • Driving ESG advisory and sustainability initiatives, supporting businesses and governments in aligning with impact-driven growth models.

Operations Director

Genesis CBD
01.2021 - Current
  • Co-founded a hemp cultivation company for export to the US/EU. Negotiated offtake contracts, licenses, and compliance structures.

Co-Founder & Director

Future Farms
01.2018 - Current
  • Leading South Africa’s top hydroponics contractor, building 28+ commercial and rooftop farms, pioneering LED grow light R&D, and establishing indoor farming facilities. Head of consulting and finance. Winner of the African Development Bank Youth Empowerment Award.

Founder & Exit

Africraft Emporium
01.2020 - 01.2022
  • Created an e-commerce platform for African craft exports during COVID-19. Grew into a sellable enterprise and exited in 2022.

Buy Improve & Exit

SnackAttack
01.2016 - 01.2020
  • Developed a quick-service food venture, scaling operations into a profitable business before exiting.

Founder & Exit

Halon Energy Partners
01.2015 - 01.2020
  • Built an energy efficiency solutions company, led consulting and financial management, and secured contracts with Unilever, Pepsico, RCL Foods, and SPAR. Successfully sold the business in 2020.

Environmental Consultant

WSP
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Environmental consultant at WSP and sustainability department at Woolworths, with projects in remediation, compliance auditing, water strategy, and sustainability audits.

Education

BA (Hons) - Environmental Water Management

Rhodes University
01.2011

Executive short courses - Finance, Accounting, Marketing & Sustainability

BA - Environmental Science & Geography

Rhodes University
01.2010

Skills

  • Business Growth & Operations Strategy
  • Sustainability & ESG Leadership
  • Financial Oversight & Deal Structuring
  • Impact & Climate-Smart Agriculture
  • Business Development & Partnerships
  • Venture Building & Exits

Awards

Best Startup of the Year – African Development Bank, Youth Empowerment Competition (Future Farms)

Timeline

Founder

Impact Nexus Africa
01.2023 - Current

Operations Director

Genesis CBD
01.2021 - Current

Founder & Exit

Africraft Emporium
01.2020 - 01.2022

Co-Founder & Director

Future Farms
01.2018 - Current

Buy Improve & Exit

SnackAttack
01.2016 - 01.2020

Founder & Exit

Halon Energy Partners
01.2015 - 01.2020

Environmental Consultant

WSP
01.2012 - 01.2015

Executive short courses - Finance, Accounting, Marketing & Sustainability

BA - Environmental Science & Geography

Rhodes University

BA (Hons) - Environmental Water Management

Rhodes University
Gregory DaynesGrowth Director