A second Section 12J Venture Capital Fund has been launched by South African venture capital firm Knife Capital to allow fresh investors to participate in this alternative asset class.
Knife Capital has now launched KNF Ventures II, having deployed most of its first Section 12J Venture Capital Fund of US$16.4 million. It has the same investment mandate as Fund I, and will continue to build on the success and momentum created. KNF aims to accelerate the growth of South African innovation-driven SMEs by leveraging knowledge, networks and funding to generate enhanced returns for entrepreneurial-minded investors.
Knife Capital partner Keet van Zyl said COVID-19 had drastically increased digital technology adoption rates, putting disruptive start-ups in the spotlight.
A tangible shift is taking place towards new ways of working, learning, interacting and transacting. In the investment space, this can also be felt,’ he said.
“Some alternative asset classes, such as venture capital, where fund managers have been investing in technology companies for years, are increasingly interested in diversification by institutional and individual investors.”