Steve Waidelich
InvestorHead of Growth at Founders Factory Africa
City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Find your path to Steve
312 people in our graph share verified history with Steve — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Stephanie WatkinsunlockedSteve: together at San Francisco State University (2008–2009)
×3Steve: together at University of Cape Town
×8Steve: together at San Francisco State University
About
Steve Waidelich is the founder of Polarix and a growth and go-to-market specialist serving US-based technology companies. He previously built and led Lighthouse Digital, Africa's largest performance marketing agency, which was acquired by Publicis. His background includes early-stage marketing technology work in San Francisco and advisory roles focused on growth and product strategy.
Experience
- PolarixFoundercurrent2025 — presentCity of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
- Rebel Health AllianceFractional Chief Growth Officercurrent2025 — presentUnited States
- Founders FactoryHead of Growth2020 — 2025City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- PolarixStartup Growth Advisor2017 — 2020
- Lighthouse DigitalCo-Founder, Operations Director2010 — 2016City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Stonewall MediaHead of Media Strategy2009 — 2010
- Ziff Davis, Inc. (USA)Ad Operations Manager2007 — 2008
- Revcube (USA)Ad Operations2006 — 2007
Skills & more
Digital Marketing1Venture Capital3
From Steve'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 Steve Waidelich?
- Steve Waidelich is the founder of Polarix and a growth and go-to-market specialist serving US-based technology companies. He previously built and led Lighthouse Digital, Africa's largest performance marketing agency, which was acquired by Publicis. His background includes early-stage marketing technology work in San Francisco and advisory roles focused on growth and product strategy.
- Where does Steve Waidelich work?
- Steve Waidelich is Head of Growth at Founders Factory Africa.
- Where did Steve Waidelich go to school?
- Steve Waidelich studied at San Francisco State University (College of Extended Learning, Graphic Design, CSS, Actionscript, Advanced HTML); University of Cape Town (Business Science Degree in Marketing).
Same school
Also attended San Francisco State University148
Ciara Campbell BowenExecutive Assistant at Sapphire VenturesJulie WalkerInvestor at True VenturesEmily RabbittInvestor at True VenturesStephanie WatkinsOperations at 8VCIndra HusfeldOffice and Finance Coordinator at Sierra VenturesCrystal TownsendManager at Buckhill Capital
+ 142 more
Also attended University of Cape Town299
Roelof BothaAdvisor & former Steward at Sequoia Capital; SpaceX board memberJames DetweilerVP of Investments at Felicis VenturesLaurel BowdenPartner at 83NorthAlan EzekowitzInvestor at Third Rock VenturesAndy VitusPartner at Scale Venture PartnersErik van VlaanderenGeneral Partner at 4Di Capital
+ 293 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Founders Factory61
Alexander ZemlyakPrincipal at Geek VenturesAlan HudsonInvestor at Mercuri.vcAndreaIR at NAPArjun PurkayasthaGlobal e-Commerce and DTC Brands Expert and Venture Capitalist at Sauce.vcAlex DaishVenture Design Lead at Founders FactoryBianca FurtunaHead of Data Science at Founders Factory
+ 55 more