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About Us

Our Mission


At Rising Tide, our mission is bold yet simple: to eliminate poverty by growing businesses, creating jobs, and upskilling people.

We believe that when one business grows, the whole community benefits. That's why we call it Rising Tide — we rise together, we grow with purpose.

The marketplace operates with a selective pay-it-forward approach: on a case-by-case basis, participating companies provide free or discounted support to ventures that need a boost to survive and scale. Meanwhile, Rising Tide reinvests its profits into employment for black youth through Yes4Youth, while building towards bursary funding for local talent.

The long-term ambition is to build a proven case study in the Overstrand that can be scaled across South Africa, showing how business services and community reinvestment can combine to lift everyone.

Our Story


Rising Tide was founded by a collective of South African entrepreneurs - each of us running our own successful ventures - who share a passion for uplifting local businesses. We came together with a common goal: to help startups, SMEs, and enterprise businesses thrive by offering practical tools, expert guidance, and tailored services that drive real results. Together, we’re building a stronger, more empowered business landscape in South Africa.

Meet our experts 


Elmarie Meyer

Business Operations

I’m a resilient leader and problem-solver with 20+ years transforming transport and infrastructure across the UK and South Africa.

From designing London Underground’s biggest-ever transformation to managing TfL’s £50bn asset strategy & investment portfolio, I love turning complex challenges into smart solutions.

My expertise spans strategy, asset investment, commercial and project management & maintenance, and organisational change—I have a knack for turning tricky boardroom conversations into clear, actionable plans. Right now, I’m leading multi-billion-rand rail tenders in South Africa, mentoring small businesses, and helping shape the next generation of talent.

When I’m not moving cities forward, I’m with my husband and our amazing blended family, loving beach days, travel adventures, and camping trips across South Africa.

Gerhard Muller

Leadership: Business Strategy & Planning

I’m a business management specialist with a passion for helping organisations—and the people within them—grow with purpose and clarity. 

With a track record of leading strategic, operational, and financial turnarounds, I support businesses through change, scale, and reinvention.

I thrive where vision meets execution—whether that’s building high-performing teams, driving business development, or reshaping systems for sustainable growth. My approach is rooted in curiosity, clarity, and a deep commitment to the “Why”.

After co-founding a national security group, I expanded into private equity through The FOC, focusing on globalisation and technology. This journey sharpened my expertise in mergers and acquisitions and deepened my belief in the power of entrepreneurial thinking.

I hold a BA Honours in Business Management from the University of Lincoln (UK) and bring a hands-on, people-first mindset to every challenge. When I’m not building businesses, you’ll find me exploring coastal trails with my family, experimenting in the kitchen, or mapping out someone’s next big idea over coffee.

James Trotter

Strategic Finance & Business Sustainability

I’m a fractional CFO and sustainable finance consultant helping purpose-driven SMEs in South Africa and the UK bring clarity and momentum to their financial strategy.

With 15+ years across biotech, agriculture, manufacturing, social impact, hospitality and logistics, I help founders streamline finances, optimise capital structures, and raise funding to build resilient, scalable businesses.

My toolkit includes financial modelling and valuation, multi-entity and cross-border structuring and consolidations, cash flow forecasting, ESG reporting, and strategic pricing. I’ve worked closely with African businesses participating in the US-based Climate Finance Lab accelerator - helping them build investor-ready financial models to support their climate-focused solutions.

I currently serve as Finance Lead at Consulting for Sustainable Solutions, a Cape Town-based sustainable finance advisory firm, and as a trustee of the Afrikelp Community Education Trust, which supports previously disadvantaged youth in the Overberg region.

Outside the numbers, I’m in Hermanus with my wife and two kids: trail running, mountain biking, lifting weights, or soaking up the sea and mountains while dreaming up the next big adventure.

Louis du Pisani

Marketing & Sales

I am the owner of digital agencies, Blac & Bloo and Kreatif Kouki. I help businesses worldwide thrive and grow with slick websites, apps, and digital marketing magic.

I work with leaders of industry - from tech and finance to hospitality and government - to accelerate their business strategies through digital innovation. I enjoy getting into the trenches with my clients to ensure our solutions realise benefits for the longer term. I’m all about blending strategy, human-centred design, and innovation.

Outside work, you’ll find me spending quality time with my wife and 3 boys, playing golf and padel, exploring the outdoors, cooking up a feast with friends and family, or plotting my next big idea!

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Get in touch today and let’s build success together! 

Contact Us