Philani Mzila
InvestorInvestment Manager at Founders Factory Africa · Investment Committee at Keyo Ventures · Investment Principal at Edge Growth Ventures
City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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222 people in our graph share verified history with Philani — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Mala HenriquesunlockedPhilani: together at Global Shapers Community (2019–2020)
Philani: together at 54 Collective
×9Philani: together at University of the Witwatersrand
Philani: together at Global Shapers Community
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
- Edge GrowthInvestment Principalcurrent2025 — presentCity of Johannesburg
- Jozi AngelsAngel Investorcurrent2023 — presentCity of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- CatalyzULecturercurrent2023 — presentUnited States
- Tanél HealthBoard Observer2024 — 2025Dakar Region, Senegal
- mTek ServicesBoard Observer2024 — 2025Nairobi County, Kenya
- FreshSource GlobalBoard Observer2023 — 2025Cairo, Egypt
- Fixxr 👨🏾🔧Board Observer2023 — 2025City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- 54 Collective VCInvestment Manager2022 — 2025City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Edge GrowthSenior Investment Associate2020 — 2022City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Global Shapers CommunityMember2017 — 2021Johannesburg Area, South Africa
- PAPE Fund ManagersInvestment Associate: Private Equity2019 — 2020Johannesburg Area, South Africa
- Nisela CapitalInvestment Associate2017 — 2018Sandton Area, South Africa
- Public Investment CorporationInvestment Associate: Private Equity and Structured Investment Products2016 — 2017Pretoria Area, South Africa
- Public Investment CorporationInvestment Analyst: Private Equity and Structured Investment Products2013 — 2016Pretoria Area, South Africa
Skills & more
Deal AnalysisDeal Negotiation
Languages English · Zulu
- Class of Business — Milpark Education
- Business Writing — University of Cape Town
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
- Who is Philani Mzila?
- 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.
- Where does Philani Mzila work?
- Philani Mzila is Investment Manager at Founders Factory Africa.
- Where did Philani Mzila go to school?
- Philani Mzila studied at Stellenbosch Business School (Master's degree, Development Finance); University of the Witwatersrand (BCom Honours (Investments and Corporate Finance)); University of the Witwatersrand (Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Investments and Corporate Finance and Management).
Same school
Also attended Stellenbosch Business School12
Marlene JenningsInvestor Relations at ARCH Emerging Markets PartnersMax EbsenPortfolio Manager at GreenTec Capital PartnersBenjamin ZerbibInvestment Director at KaristaHenri KatsProgrammadirecteur Chemport Europe at NV NOMLennieInvestor at Caesar VenturesAmit MohanHead of Private Credit at Climate Fund Managers
+ 6 more
Also attended University of the Witwatersrand123
David FrankelSeed Stage Venture Capital in the United StatesThomasGeneral Partner at Acadian Ventures Management, LlcDaniel SassAssociate at aMoonDavid EsraAnalyst at aMoonSamantha RobertsInvestor at SynconaIlian IlievChief Executive Officer at EMV Capital
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+ 117 more
Shared employers
Also worked at FreshSource Global2
Also worked at 54 Collective VC39
Frank WebsterHead of Corporate Development at Founders FactoryNzwisisa 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 AfricaAlina TruhinaBoard Member at Founders Factory Africa
+ 33 more
Also worked at Edge Growth7
Dayana YermolayevaFounder, Visiting Partner at ITERATIVETshepo DhlaminiDeal Executive at Crossfin TechnologyJolene ShawNon-Executive Director; General Manager at Knowledge Pele at Edge Growth VenturesRichard Bicker CaartenGroup CFO and Executive Director at Edge Growth VenturesAblorde AshigbiGeneral Partner at LongJump VenturesRajiv GihwalaInvestor at Insight Partners
+ 1 more
Also worked at Global Shapers Community29
Alphaeus HansonLP Relations at Transform Capital ManagementMala HenriquesProgram Consultant, Accelerator Program at HalcyonDayo KoleowoInvestment Partner at MicrotractionAto Bentsi-EnchillSPV Investment Lead at MicrotractionSarah NoletCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Tenacious VenturesAnanya DaveAssociate at Alberts Impact Ventures
+ 23 more