Fundraising Fox

Knife Capital

Venture capital

Cape Town · Seed–Late Stage · 20 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Knife Capital seeks out and backs companies that demonstrate deep technological competence alongside the potential to succeed internationally. The firm, connected to South Africa's tech ecosystem, focuses on scalable, innovation-driven businesses and supports them toward global growth and eventual exits.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Late Stage
HQ
Cape Town, ZA
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2010
Last 12 months
1 investment
AUM
$50M
Tracked investments
23

Team · 20 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Abraham van der Merwe

External board/IC member and successful South African serial tech entrepreneur.

Chris Seabrooke

External board/IC member; director of many listed companies and CEO of Sabvest.

Nchaupe Khaole

External board/IC member; Chief Investment Officer at the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).

What they invest in

from 17 of 23 portfolio companies

SaaS ×8AI & Machine Learning ×6Enterprise Software ×5EdTech ×4Fintech ×3Healthtech ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×2Consumer ×2

HQs:South Africa×8United States×1

Investments · 23 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 12025 · 12 dated

Snapplifysnapplify.comin𝕏✓ verified

Snapplify is a global edtech company providing a digital learning platform with AI-enhanced tools, integration capabilities with 600+ education applications, and a library of over 50,000 free educational resources for students, educators, and institutions.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSSouth Africa, ZA

Wamlywamly.ioin✓ verified

Wamly provides hiring and recruitment software that includes job posting and career page creation, psychometric candidate assessments, and centralized communication tools for recruitment teams.

Enterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaS

Francois de Wet(Founder)Marnus Broodryk(Co-founder)

Cuecueup.comJul 2026 · $5MAcquired

Cue aggregates email, contact, and calendar information to help users view and search across their accounts in one place.

ConsumerHealthtechSan Francisco, US

Shai Magzimof(Founder/CEO)inDaniel Gross(Founder/CEO)inRobby Walker(Founder/CTO)inAyub Khattak(Executive Officer, Director)Clint Sever(Executive Officer)

BoardRohan Oza(Director)

Co-investorsY Combinator

D6d6.co.za

d6 Communication is a school management platform that enables administrators to send targeted messages to parents and staff via email, SMS, WhatsApp, and a mobile app, with AI-powered drafting tools and integrated payment processing.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

d6 Group
Dataprophetdataprophet.comin

DataProphet applies AI to manufacturing operations, helping factories and foundries reduce defects and improve production performance.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningEnterprise Software

Granitewmsgranitewms.comin𝕏

GraniteWMS is a barcode-based warehouse management system designed for mid-sized warehouses, offering real-time inventory visibility, picking, packing, and stock control through a lightweight web application.

Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Grindstone Ventures
Grindstonexlgrindstonexl.comin𝕏

Grindstone is a structured entrepreneurship development program that helps high-growth, innovation-driven early-stage startups build the fundamentals to scale, become fundable, and reach exit-readiness.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of Work

Inqubainquba.comin𝕏

inQuba offers AI-driven journey management software that helps businesses visualize customer journeys, measure customer sentiment, and design interventions to improve conversion and retention.

AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS

Co-investorsConvergence Partners

Kashakasha.co

Co-investorsBeyond CapitalBeyond Capital Ventures

Octiv
Octivfitnessoctivfitness.com

Octiv is a software platform for fitness gyms and studios that manages memberships, class scheduling, payments, and member engagement through a branded mobile app and administrative dashboard.

SaaSSports TechWellness & Fitness

Mark Fawzy(Founder)

Optiqueoptique.co.za

Optique sells eyeglasses and frames through direct-to-consumer channels in South Africa.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceHealthtechRetail Tech

Outsizedoutsized.comin

Outsized operates a curated platform connecting banks, insurers, fintechs, and financial-services consultancies and investors with vetted independent consultants, subject-matter experts, interims, and fractionals.

FintechFuture of WorkMarketplaces

PharmaScoutpharmascout.co.zain

PharmaScout provides temperature monitoring and data logging systems for storing medicines in pharmacies, helping them comply with South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) requirements.

HardwareHealthtechIoT

PURA
Purabeveragecopurabeverageco.com
Simera Sensesimera-sense.comin

Simera Sense develops optical payloads and image processing solutions for Earth observation missions using nano- and microsatellites.

Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech

Sticittsticitt.cominJul 2025

Sticitt provides a cashless payment platform for schools in South Africa, covering tuckshop payments, school fee and project collections, point-of-sale integrations, and online ordering through Sticitt cards and bands.

EdTechFintechSaaS

Sticittsticitt.co.za

Sticitt provides a cashless payment system for schools in South Africa, covering school fee and project collections, tuckshop payments via cards and bands, point-of-sale integrations, online ordering, and automated reconciliation.

EdTechFintechSaaS

Stone Threestonethree.comin

Stone Three develops industrial AI and machine vision systems, including smart sensors and advanced process control software, to solve real-time measurement problems in mineral processing.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningIoT

VoxCroftvoxcroft.com

VoxCroft's Arrow platform collects, transcribes, and analyzes media data using AI models to measure public sentiment, detect disinformation, and identify key networks and influencers across global media environments.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDefense TechMarketing TechMedia & Entertainment

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Knife Capital made?
Knife Capital has 20 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Knife Capital invest at?
Knife Capital invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth, Late Stage stages.
What sectors does Knife Capital focus on?
Knife Capital focuses on Deep Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic, Space Tech.
Where is Knife Capital located?
Knife Capital is headquartered in Cape Town, ZA.
Does Knife Capital lead rounds?
Yes, Knife Capital leads investment rounds.
Who does Knife Capital co-invest with?
Knife Capital most often shares deals with Beyond Capital, Beyond Capital Ventures, Convergence Partners, among 3 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Keet van Zyl on Knife Capital

iAfrikan Media · Keet van Zyl

The story of Keet van Zyl, Knife Capital, Africa

Ansarada · Keet van Zyl

Evolution of the venture landscape - Keet van Zyl - Co-founder of Knife Capital

Outsourced CFO · Keet van Zyl

Images

Knife Capital photoKnife Capital photoKnife Capital photo

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