Fundraising Fox

Philani Mzila

Investor

Investment Manager at Founders Factory Africa · Investment Committee at Keyo Ventures

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

About

Philani Mzila is an Investment Principal at Edge Growth focused on early-stage ventures in financial services, green economy, industrials, and underserved markets across South Africa. He has invested over $180 million in more than 30 companies across African countries, with experience in private equity and venture capital across agriculture, FMCG, property, technology, and financial services. Mzila holds a BCom in Investments and Corporate Finance from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MPhil in Development Finance from Stellenbosch Business School, and is a Chartered Development Finance Analyst.

Experience

  1. Edge GrowthInvestment Principalcurrent2025 — presentCity of Johannesburg
  2. Jozi AngelsAngel Investorcurrent2023 — presentCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
  3. CatalyzULecturercurrent2023 — presentUnited States
  4. Tanél HealthBoard Observer2024 — 2025Dakar Region, Senegal
  5. mTek ServicesBoard Observer2024 — 2025Nairobi County, Kenya
  6. FreshSource GlobalBoard Observer2023 — 2025Cairo, Egypt
  7. Fixxr 👨🏾‍🔧Board Observer2023 — 2025City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
  8. 54 Collective VCInvestment Manager2022 — 2025City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
  9. Edge GrowthSenior Investment Associate2020 — 2022City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
  10. Global Shapers CommunityMember2017 — 2021Johannesburg Area, South Africa
  11. PAPE Fund ManagersInvestment Associate: Private Equity2019 — 2020Johannesburg Area, South Africa
  12. Nisela CapitalInvestment Associate2017 — 2018Sandton Area, South Africa
  13. Public Investment CorporationInvestment Associate: Private Equity and Structured Investment Products2016 — 2017Pretoria Area, South Africa
  14. Public Investment CorporationInvestment Analyst: Private Equity and Structured Investment Products2013 — 2016Pretoria Area, South Africa

Education

  1. Stellenbosch Business SchoolMaster's degree, Development Finance
  2. University of the WitwatersrandBCom Honours (Investments and Corporate Finance)
  3. University of the WitwatersrandBachelor of Commerce (BCom), Investments and Corporate Finance and Management
  4. University of the WitwatersrandAdvanced Company Law 1
  5. CFA INSTITUTE
  6. Jeppe High School for Boys

Skills & more

SAS2Microsoft Excel14Microsoft Office14Deal AnalysisDeal NegotiationDeal SourcingStrategyEcosystem BuildingDeal ExecutionNetworkingNegotiationFinancial Modelling
+12 moreInvestment ManagementVenture CapitalStrategic AnalysisDevelopment FinanceMarket AnalysisBusiness StrategyDeal StructuringValuationInvestmentsInternational FinancePortfolio ManagementCapital Budgeting

Languages English · Zulu

  • Class of Business — Milpark Education
  • Business Writing — University of Cape Town
  • Member — Golden Key International Honour Society
  • Chartered Development Finance Analyst — Global CIDEF (Chartered Institute of Development Finance)
  • SAVCA - GIBS Private Equity Foundation Programme — GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science)
  • Advanced Financial Modelling — Paton Personnel
  • Advanced Financial Statement Analysis — Paton Personnel
  • FAIS Representatives Exam (RE5) — Financial Services Board

From Philani's professional profile.

Colleagues at Founders Factory Africa

Adam Morris
Product Designer at Founders Factory Africa
Adam Wakefield
Managing Editor at Founders Factory Africa
Adelaide Njoki Muthang'i
Investment Associate at Founders Factory Africa
Alina Truhina
Board Member at Founders Factory Africa
Amara Muoneke
Venture Design Lead at Founders Factory Africa
Andile Masuku
Head of Community at Founders Factory Africa
Andrew Obuoforibo
Head of Product at Founders Factory Africa
Ayotunde Aladejana
Head of Partnerships at Founders Factory Africa

Frequently asked questions

Where does Philani Mzila work?
Philani Mzila is Investment Manager at Founders Factory Africa.

Same school

Also attended Stellenbosch Business School6

Max EbsenPortfolio Manager at GreenTec Capital PartnersBenjamin ZerbibInvestment Director at KaristaHenri KatsProgrammadirecteur Chemport Europe at NV NOMLennieInvestor at Caesar VenturesJonathan van der MerweAdvisor - Digital Assets & Portfolio Strategy at Aweh VenturesGorata OgotsengStakeholder Relations Manager at Norsad Capital

Also attended University of the Witwatersrand70

David FrankelSeed Stage Venture Capital in the United StatesThomasGeneral Partner at Acadian Ventures Management, LlcDaniel SassAssociate at aMoonDavid EsraAnalyst at aMoonIlian IlievChief Executive Officer at EMV CapitalEyal NivManaging Partner | First at Pitango

+ 64 more

Also attended CFA INSTITUTE334

Matt CherianVenture Partner at Monta Vista CapitalLaviva MazharPrincipal at Luge CapitalJan AvontsInvestment Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersMatias BarberoVenture Partner at FJ LabsKim RobertsonFinancial Manager at 4Di CapitalCole LundquistPrincipal at QED Investors

+ 328 more

Shared employers

Also worked at 54 Collective VC41

Frank WebsterHead of Corporate Development at Founders FactoryKonstantin BehrAdvisor at SatganaNzwisisa ChidemboCTO in Residence at Enza CapitalAdam MorrisProduct Designer at Founders Factory AfricaAdam WakefieldManaging Editor at Founders Factory AfricaAdelaide Njoki Muthang'iInvestment Associate at Founders Factory Africa

+ 35 more

Also worked at Edge Growth3

Dayana YermolayevaFounder, Visiting Partner at ITERATIVETshepo DhlaminiDeal Executive at Crossfin TechnologyAblorde AshigbiGeneral Partner at LongJump Ventures

Also worked at Global Shapers Community16

Alphaeus HansonLP Relations at Transform Capital ManagementDayo KoleowoInvestment Partner at MicrotractionAto Bentsi-EnchillSPV Investment Lead at MicrotractionSarah NoletCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Tenacious VenturesAshley PilipiszynVenture Partner at Growth Warrior CapitalAnanya DaveAssociate at Alberts Impact Ventures

+ 10 more