/Investor DB

Newtown Partners

Venture capital

Cape Town · Seed–Growth · 4 people tracked

Find your way into Newtown Partners

192 people in our graph share verified history with the Newtown Partners team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Benedetta Garofalounlockedknows Llew Claasen · together at Shypple (overlapped)
×2knows the team · via Shypple
knows the team · via Bitcoin Foundation
×8knows the team · via DFF Ventures
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Investment thesis

Newtown Partners invests where growth meets impact, targeting the intersection of cutting-edge innovation and large market opportunity, particularly in frontier economies where traditional capital is scarce. Drawing on the team's own founding and exit experience, the firm offers hands-on operational support alongside capital across multiple strategies, from early-stage venture to private credit growth finance. Its Newtown Impact Credit Fund backs Africa's most promising Series B+ technology companies with strong revenue and scale potential, using structured capital to generate risk-adjusted returns and measurable impact.

Source: firm website, verified Sep 29, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Growth
HQ
Cape Town, ZA
Instruments
Equity · Debt
Founded
2014
Private fund assets
$28.3M
VC funds
1
Tracked investments
32
Unicorns
1
IPOs
1
Acquisitions
3

Team · 4 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Akash Maharaj· General Partner

A structured mezzanine veteran with a track record in mezzanine and growth capital across Africa.

What they invest in

from 25 of 32 portfolio companies

SaaS ×9Logistics & Supply Chain ×7Crypto & Web3 ×6Enterprise Software ×6Fintech ×6Healthtech ×5Marketplaces ×5B2B Marketplaces ×4

HQs:United States×10South Africa×3Canada×1Germany×1Egypt×1Ghana×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 17 portfolio companies
41%
solo founders
7 of 17 mapped founding teams
46%
repeat founders
of 28 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×72 founders×63 founders×34+ founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 21 founders with education data

General Assembly ×2Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 22 founders with field-of-study data

Business & Management ×10Computer Science ×7Engineering ×5Politics & Policy ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 28 founders with career history

McKinsey & Company ×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Y Combinator ×5

3 founders hold a PhD · 5 hold an MBA (of 23 with degree data)

Investments · 32 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2023 · 22022 · 12019 · 22018 · 16 dated

BitGobitgo.comin𝕏NYSE: BTGO

BitGo provides institutional-grade infrastructure for digital assets, including regulated custody, wallet services, prime brokerage (trading, financing, settlement), stablecoin issuance, and embedded crypto-as-a-service.

Crypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareFintechPalo Alto, US

Michael Belshe(Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer, President, and Director)Chen Fang(Executive Officer, Director)Krishna Juvvadi(Executive Officer)inEdward Reginelli(Chief Financial Officer)Jody Mettler(Chief Operating Officer)Jeff Horowitz(Chief Compliance Officer)

Co-investorsArkStream CapitalBlockchain CapitalBlockchain CoinvestorsCraft VenturesCyber CapitalDigital Currency Group+14 more

Atheeratheerair.comin

Atheer offers a work execution platform that delivers guided workflows, operational context, and AI-powered support to frontline and skilled workers across phone, tablet, desktop, and wearables, online or offline.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSMountain View, US

Ryan Fink(Executive Officer)inSoulaiman Itani(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inAlberto Torres(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardBabak Yazdani(Director)Noosheen Hashemi(Director)inJoe Kiani(Director)

Co-investorsCota CapitalFundersClubSGH CapitalStreamlined VenturesTau Ventures2020 Ventures

Bitaccessbitaccess.comin𝕏Acquired

Bitaccess builds Bitcoin ATM infrastructure for enterprises, enabling customers to convert fiat currency to cryptocurrency at their machines.

Crypto & Web3FintechHardwareOttawa, CA

Moe Adham(Founder)in

Co-investorsFundersClubPantera CapitalY CombinatorAvlok CapitalBINARY CAPITALCRCM Ventures+3 more

Bloomablebloomable.co.zain𝕏

Bloomable is a flower delivery platform that connects customers with independent local florists across South Africa to send hand-arranged bouquets for various occasions.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesSouth Africa, ZA

Chefaachefaa.comin𝕏

Chefaa is a digital pharmacy platform in Egypt that connects users with pharmacies and enables prescription medication ordering, delivery to home, refill reminders, and health management services.

B2B MarketplacesData & InfrastructureE-commerceHealthtechMarketplacesEgypt, EG

Doaa ArefinRasha Radyin

Co-investors500 GlobalAsia Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC)Global BrainLoftyInc CapitalVision VenturesVKAV (Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures)+2 more

Chefaachefaa.health𝕏Dec 2023 · $5.3M

Integrated online pharmacy serving consumers and pharmacies in Egypt.

Co-investorsVKAV (Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures)500 GlobalFlat6LabsGlobal Brain

Chronicledchronicled.comin𝕏

Chronicled operates MediLedger, a blockchain-based platform for data alignment and transaction settlement between pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, GPOs, and health systems.

Crypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareHealthtech

Samantha Radocchia(Cofounder)Susanne Somervillein

Co-investorsEmery Capitalnzt.capitalPantera CapitalPortfoliaPortland Seed FundR/GA Ventures+6 more

Circle Medicalcirclemedical.comin𝕏Jul 2018

Circle Medical provides telehealth services specializing in ADHD diagnosis and treatment for adults through remote video consultations with healthcare providers.

Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US

JS Boulanger(Founder/CTO)inBrent LaRue(Founder/VP Product & Patient Experience)inGeorge Favvas(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investorsA.Capital VenturesAltaIR CapitalKima VenturesNoosphere VenturesSocial StartsWELL Ventures+9 more

Clockworkclockworkdelivery.comin𝕏

Clockwork Delivery operates a logistics platform for managing drayage, air freight, and final-mile delivery operations across multiple stakeholder types.

Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Rob Haney(Founder)inOscar Yu(Technology)inJohn Chang(Product & Success)in

Co-investorsF-LOG VenturesMaersk GrowthTecPierNewark Venture Partners

Complete Farmercompletefarmer.comin𝕏Oct 2023

Complete Farmer operates a data-driven platform connecting farmers, buyers, and input vendors across African agriculture, with products for farm management (CF Grower), produce sourcing (CF Buyer), and an input marketplace (CF Storefront).

AgTechB2B MarketplacesFoodTechSan Francisco, GH

Desmond Koney(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardAshwin Ravichandran(Director)Francis Owusu(Director)

Co-investorsAlitheia CapitalCeniarthGoodwell InvestmentsIngressive CapitalSahel CapitalVestedWorld+3 more

Field Intelligencefield.inc𝕏

Field is a technology company that makes pharmaceutical supply chains simpler and more affordable, serving healthcare providers from large health systems to small drug shops.

Digital HealthHealthtechImpact & Social GoodLogistics & Supply ChainMarietta, US

Justin Lorenzon(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Moreland(Executive Officer, Director)Lauren Cochran(Director)

Co-investorsAccionFuture AfricaAccion Venture LabBlue Haven Initiative

Flaviarflaviar.comin𝕏

Flaviar operates a members-only club that curates and distributes rare and craft spirits from distilleries worldwide, providing consumers direct access to premium and independent producers.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerE-commerceFoodTechMarketplacesLjubljana, SI

Jugoslav Petkovic(Founder/CEO)inMatija Rijavec(Founder/Magician, Taster & CTO)inGrisa Soba(Founder)in

BoardMichael Schuster(Director)

Co-investorsFundersClubKima VenturesMultiplier CapitalSilicon GardensY CombinatorACE & Company+6 more

Flutterwaveflutterwave.comin𝕏

Flutterwave provides payment processing infrastructure and tools that enable businesses and financial institutions across Africa to send and receive payments securely and efficiently.

FintechLagos, NG

Adeleke Adekoya(Founder)inOlugbenga GB Agboola(Founder)in

Co-investors4DX VenturesAAF Management Ltd.Avenir Growth CapitalB Capital GroupB4 CapitalChaos Ventures+38 more

Holiduholidu.com

Munich, DE

Johannes Siebers(Founder)in

Co-investors83NorthBootstrap EuropeClaret Capital PartnerscoparionKey1 CapitalNorthzone+4 more

IPFSipfs.tech

IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a set of open-source tools for content addressing that let developers build verifiable, portable, and resilient data systems across public and private networks.

Crypto & Web3Data & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools

Lamilami.worldin𝕏Aug 2022 · $3.7M

Lami provides a digital platform that enables insurance agents in sub-Saharan Africa to access quotes, connect with customers, and manage sales.

FintechImpact & Social GoodInsurTechSaaS

Jihan(Founder & CEO)Roy(Co-Founder & CFO)

Co-investorsA15AccionAsia Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC)Chui VenturesConsonance Investment ManagersFuture Africa+6 more

Lori Systemslorisystems.comin𝕏

Lori Systems is a logistics company that uses technology to improve the efficiency and scale of moving goods, with a stated mission of lowering the cost of goods.

B2B MarketplacesLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSavannah, US

Sandler Joshua(Executive Officer, Director)Liming Huang(Director)Mengqiu Wang(Director)

Co-investorsThe Raba PartnershipTimon CapitalDelta40DST GlobalEchoVC PartnersFP Capital+2 more

MDaaS Globalmdaas.ioin𝕏Mar 2019

MDaaS builds digital health infrastructure and services for healthcare providers across Africa.

Digital HealthHealthtechLogistics & Supply ChainMarketing TechSaaSBoston, US

Oluwasoga Oni(CEO)inGenevieve Barnard Oni(Founder)inJoe McCord(Founder)in

BoardMobolaji Adeoye(Director)

Co-investorsConsonance Investment ManagersFINCA VenturesFuture AfricaTechstarsVentures PlatformAruwa Capital

Miom.ioin𝕏

Mio provides interoperability across collaboration platforms, enabling users to send messages, manage identities, share files, and initiate meetings across different systems.

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSAustin, US

Tom Hadfield(Founder/CEO)inJames Cundle(Founder/CTO)in

Co-investorsCisco InvestmentsEniac VenturesY CombinatorCapital FactoryFour CitiesGoldcrest Capital+10 more

Ovexovex.comin𝕏Apr 2019

OVEX provides cross-border payments and foreign exchange for SMEs, multinational corporates, and financial institutions, using stablecoins as a settlement layer to convert and move funds across 16+ currency pairs.

Crypto & Web3Fintech

Jonathan Ovadia(Founder)in

Co-investorsCRE Venture Capital

Policy Geniuspolicygenius.comin𝕏Acquired

Policygenius is an online insurance marketplace that provides consumers with free, tailored quotes and support from licensed agents across life, auto, home, and disability insurance.

FintechInsurTechMarketplacesBrooklyn, US

Francois de Lame(Director)inJennifer Fitzgerald(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardTianxiang Zhuo(Director)David Golden(Director)in

Co-investorsAnsa CapitalBaroda VenturesFikaInnovating CapitalKarlin VenturesMassMutual Ventures+4 more

Portcastportcast.ioin𝕏

Portcast offers a freight intelligence platform that connects shipment data to orders, contracts, and invoices, using AI to predict shipment delays and manage freight spend.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSSingapore, SG

Nidhi Gupta(CEO)inLingxiao Xia(CTO)in

Co-investorsEntrepreneur FirstTMVWavemaker PartnersHearst VenturesSignal Ventures

Shyppleshypple.comin

Shypple operates a digital platform that connects supply chain partners to simplify global trade, targeting the freight forwarding and logistics industry.

Climate TechEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSRotterdam, NL

JarellOmar Moghrani(Co-founder)inCo van EsJuri Falandtin

Co-investorsDFF VenturesBOM

String Technologystring.xyz

String Technology is a US company that builds fiat payment infrastructure for Web3 games.

Crypto & Web3

David I. Adams

Co-investors500 Global

SweepSouthsweepsouth.comin𝕏

Sweepsouth is a home services marketplace platform connecting customers with independent household service professionals in South Africa.

Future of WorkMarketplacesPropTechSouth Africa, ZA

Alen RibicinDaniel Newlandin

BoardAisha Pandor

Co-investors500 GlobalAlitheia CapitalE4E AfricaAlitheia IDFCaruso VenturesEndeavor Catalyst+2 more

Teachableteachable.comin𝕏acquired by Hotmart

Teachable is a platform for creating and selling online courses, enabling instructors and subject-matter experts to build education businesses with content ownership and audience control.

Creator EconomyEdTechSaaSNew York, US

Ankur Nagpal(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardJeff Fagnon(Director)

Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersAccompliceWinklevoss Capital

Treggotreggo.coin𝕏

Treggo is a logistics platform for businesses that offers same-day delivery, reverse logistics for exchanges and returns, and scheduled hourly deliveries with dedicated drivers.

Logistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Co-investorsFirst Check VenturesBluewatch VenturesKube VCLatin LeapVerve Capital

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

Fulfillment BridgeHealthcare Digital health platform CameroonStemSwyftVizor

Exits · 4

1 IPOs · 3 acquisitions · showing 2

BitGoNYSE: BTGOTeachableacq. by Hotmart

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Newtown Partners made?
Newtown Partners has 32 tracked investments, 4 of which have exited.
What stage does Newtown Partners invest at?
Newtown Partners invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth stages.
What sectors does Newtown Partners focus on?
Newtown Partners focuses on Consumer, Crypto & Web3, Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, Impact & Social Good, Logistics & Supply Chain, Media & Entertainment, Mobility & Transportation, Retail Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Newtown Partners located?
Newtown Partners is headquartered in Cape Town, ZA.
Who does Newtown Partners co-invest with?
Newtown Partners most often shares deals with Y Combinator, FundersClub, LoftyInc Capital, among 100 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

LLEW CLAASEN - Managing Partner of Newtown Partners, & Executive Director of the Bitcoin Foundation

Bitcoin Events · Llew Claasen

375th 1Mby1M Roundtable November 9, 2017: With Vinny Lingham, Newtown Partners

1Mby1M Roundtables · Vinny Lingham

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