For founders
Building a technology company in South Africa or Kenya?
We invest from Seed to Series A in food, clean and digital technology, and work with founders well beyond the first cheque.
The entire Anza team was incredibly responsive, ensuring that communication was fluid and seamless throughout.Dr Zane Stenning, co-founder and CEO, Mia Healthcare
INVESTING NOW THROUGH SEED FUND II
- Stage
- Seed to Series A
- Cheque size
- R1 million to R20 million
- Where
- South Africa and Kenya, our two hubs
- Sectors
- Food, clean and digital technology
Step one
Check your fit
Every application is first checked against six mandate criteria. Select the statements that describe your company.
A guide only. It is not part of an application and nothing is recorded.
0 of 6 criteria met
Select each statement that applies to your company.
Step two
What we look for
Companies that pass the mandate check are scored in more depth. Team carries the most weight.
- 01Carries the most weight
Team
Two or more founders with drive and coachability, ready to work closely with advisers.
- 02
Technology
A validated product or technology, backed by data or expert opinion, with a plan to commercialise it.
- 03
Intellectual property
IP that is adequately protected, with searches done to avoid infringing others’ rights.
- 04
Market
A defined customer segment with proven demand, in a large and growing market.
- 05
Sales strategy
A clear path to market and a plan for broad market penetration.
- 06
Competition
Known competitors, clear points of difference and real barriers to entry.
- 07
Financials
Reasonable projections, including income statement, cash flow and balance sheet, on realistic assumptions.
- 08
Capital needs
A clear view of how funds will be used, and the capital needed to reach breakeven.
- 09
Exit potential
A credible route to an exit for the company’s investors.
Founders we back
The founders behind our portfolio
Founders from Anza Capital’s portfolio, building in health, food, agriculture, fintech and AI. See all 13 companies
AgriLogiqGreenhouse automation
Impulse BiomedicalMedical devices
Mia HealthcareAffordable dental care
QwiliSmartphone micro-enterprise
LocstatGraph intelligence
Newform FoodsCultivated meat platform
Step three
What happens after you apply
We aim to reply within two weeks of your application.
- 01
Online application
Submit your company details and pitch deck.
We aim to reply within two weeks - 02
Screening
Mandate check, then a weighted scorecard.
- 03
Pitch
Shortlisted founders pitch to the investment team.
- 04
Due diligence
In-house and with technical partners, including interviews and reference checks.
- 05
Decision and terms
Investment Committee decision, then a term sheet.
FROM A FOUNDER
“Their DD process was not only swift but also highly manageable, tailored perfectly for a company at our stage of growth. The entire Anza team was incredibly responsive, ensuring that communication was fluid and seamless throughout.”
After investment
What you get beyond capital
Support is matched to what each company needs, through the investment team, venture partners and the wider Anza platform.
A 100 and 200-day plan
Venture partners with sector depth help you set and deliver priorities after investment.
Market access
Introductions to corporates, distributors and partners, including pathways into the US and Europe.
Technology support
Technical due diligence, roadmap planning and post-investment support from a specialist technology partner.
Follow-on capital
Reserves for follow-on from the fund, and help preparing for later rounds with co-investors.
Mentors and network
Mentors and contacts through TechTribe Accelerator and the SA Innovation Summit. Meet the mentors
Exit readiness
Exit readiness is built in from the first investment: corporate interest, acquirer fit and IP defensibility.
Founder resources
Getting investment-ready
Programmes, mentors, events and reading from across the Anza ecosystem, whether you are applying now or building towards it.
- ProgrammeTechTribe Accelerator programmesInvestment-readiness programmes for founders who are not ready to raise yet.techtribeaccelerator.com ↗
- MentorsMeet the TechTribe mentorsMentors and contacts available through TechTribe Accelerator.techtribeaccelerator.com ↗
- EventSA Innovation SummitAn annual summit that brings together founders, investors, corporates, academia and government.innovationsummit.co.za ↗
- ArticleThe Commercialisation GapWhy good African science struggles to become good business.Anza Insights →
- ArticleIP commercialisation and economic growthBy Audrey Verhaeghe, on the link between intellectual property and national growth.Anza Insights →
- ArticleSeeding Africa’s next generation of scaling enterprisesWhy African founders need better early-stage capital to scale.Anza Insights →
Founder questions
Before you apply
Quick answers to common founder questions. Anything else, ask us when you apply.
Seed Fund II invests R1 million to R20 million per company, from Seed to Series A.
In South Africa and Kenya, our two hubs.
Food, clean and digital technology. Across all three, we favour companies that pair technology with physical delivery.
Apply online through our application portal with your company details and pitch deck. Every company is screened the same way.
We aim to respond within two weeks of applying.
A mandate check comes first, then a weighted scorecard. Shortlisted founders pitch to the investment team, followed by due diligence, an Investment Committee decision and a term sheet.
Investments are concluded as equity, a SAFE or a convertible note.
We look for IP that is adequately protected, with searches done to avoid infringing others’ rights. Many founders cannot afford protection at the earliest stage, and we fund and support that step.
TechTribe Accelerator programmes help founders become investment-ready.
Ready to apply?
Apply online through our application portal. We aim to respond within two weeks.
Not quite ready?
TechTribe Accelerator programmes help founders become investment-ready.