Knife Capital
Venture capitalCape Town · Seed–Late Stage · 20 people tracked
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.
Team · 20 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 17 of 23 portfolio companiesSaaS ×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 pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 12 dated
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
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
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
DataProphet applies AI to manufacturing operations, helping factories and foundries reduce defects and improve production performance.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningEnterprise Software
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
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
Co-investorsBeyond CapitalBeyond Capital Ventures
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)
Optique sells eyeglasses and frames through direct-to-consumer channels in South Africa.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceHealthtechRetail Tech
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
PharmaScout provides temperature monitoring and data logging systems for storing medicines in pharmacies, helping them comply with South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) requirements.
HardwareHealthtechIoT
Simera Sense develops optical payloads and image processing solutions for Earth observation missions using nano- and microsatellites.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
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 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
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
Cue · tekedia.com · Jul 18, 2026
Wamly · trysignalbase.com · Jul 14, 2026
VoxCroft · dabafinance.com · Jun 8, 2026
Sticitt · weetracker.com · Jul 4, 2025
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 teamKeet 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
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