6min Pitch…Finding the winning niche strategy for the next decade
Keet van Zyl @KeetvZ @KnifeCap #PESA2014
SA Venture Metrics
Why VC in Southern Africa?
• VC = “Mentorship Capital”• Catalyst for growth• Plugs startup funding gap • Path to SME sustainability• Impacts on innovation• Advances skills development• Creates new jobs• Facilitates business networks• Source of FDI• Increases ESG focus• Key entrep’ ecosystem
building block
• Too risky• Only 1 out of 10 deals succeed• Not enough deal flow in SSA• It only works in Silicon Valley• Only suitable to tech startups• African tech = Oxymoron• VC = Out of mandate• VC does not ‘move the needle’
Experience +Skills +Networks +Funding
Southern African VC Industry Force Field Analysis
• Collaborative innovation hubs across Southern Africa
• VC ecosystems developing• Training & mentorship• Incubators & accelerators• Rise in angel investment• Corporate VC activity• Co-investment initiatives• Diaspora networks• Organised work groups• More & more success stories
• Risk avoidance• Culture of entrepreneurship• Fragmented ecosystems• Limited institutional support• Red tape/ compliance• Lack of incentives• Complex IP regulations• Entrep’ support structures• Experience of fund managers• Unpackaged opportunities• ‘Under the radar’ success
DRIVING FORCES RESTRAINING FORCES
Keet van Zyl
@KeetvZ / @KnifeCap
www.knifecap.com
VC Course: Find-Make-Grow-Realise