SA SME Fund
Status
ACTIVE
Global HQ
Johannesburg, South Africa
Countries of investment
- South Africa
Investment stages
- Seed
- Series A
- Series B
Industries
- Technology
- FinTech
- HealthTech
- EdTech
- AgriTech
- CleanTech
- Enterprise Software
- SMEs
About
SA SME Fund is a Johannesburg-based venture capital fund focused on backing high-growth South African SMEs and technology startups. Their focus spans technology, fintech, healthtech, edtech, agritech, and cleantech across South Africa. The firm supports South African founders from seed through Series B stages.
SA SME Fund is a Johannesburg-based venture capital fund focused on backing high-growth South African SMEs and technology startups. Their focus spans technology, fintech, healthtech, edtech, agritech, and cleantech across South Africa. The firm supports South African founders from seed through Series B stages.
Investment Thesis
SA SME Fund is a seed to Series B stage venture capital fund deploying capital across technology, fintech, healthtech, edtech, agritech, cleantech, and enterprise software sectors. They invest in South African SMEs and technology startups with high-growth potential, deploying capital directly and through fund-of-funds investments in specialist South African VC managers. The firm differentiates itself as South Africa's premier public-private venture fund of funds and direct investor, established through partnership with the CEO Initiative, backed by JSE-listed and private companies.
Manager's Experience
Established in 2016 as a partnership between the CEO Initiative and government to address SME funding gaps in South Africa. Backed by 40+ JSE-listed and private companies including MTN, Discovery, Standard Bank, FirstRand, and other South African corporate leaders. Deploys capital both directly and through fund-of-funds investments in specialist South African VC managers. Portfolio includes stakes in Naspers Foundry, Kingson Capital, Knife Capital, and other South African VC funds plus direct investments in high-growth SMEs. Manages approximately R1.5B ($80M+) AUM.
SA SME Fund Contacts Information
Primary contact
Team
Ketso Gordhan - CEO
plus board of institutional and corporate representatives
Portfolio
Yoco
Aerobotics
Naked Insurance
Naspers Foundry portfolio
Kingson Capital
Knife Capital