The Awethu Project, now Awethu Project Holdings (APH), was started in 2009 in the belief that there is exceptional, but under-developed entrepreneurial potential in emerging economies, and that with the right support and investment this talent can create profound commercial and social value.
In 2010 the Awethu Project Incubator (API) received seed capital from Discovery Holdings, and over the next 5 years went on to raise over R100M, primarily from the South African Government’s Jobs Fund. This funding was used to incubate over 2 000 micro entrepreneurs who have created over 3 000 jobs, making API’s high-touch incubation programme the largest in Africa, and one of South Africa’s lowest-cost and most scalable job creation models. API’s “next generation” incubator, currently in pilot phase, will leverage technology and innovation to make our incubation programme available all over the world.
While working with thousands of entrepreneurs in API, our team realised that too many lack access to patient equity capital. This insight spawned what is now Awethu Project Capital (APC), our dedicated SME equity fund management business. APC started in 2014 by partnering with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) to form the sefa Awethu Youth Fund, a pioneering SME venture fund for emerging black entrepreneurs. From there, APC developed an innovative supplier development and transformation model, which, since 2016, has been invested in by some of South Africa’s top corporates, including SAB/ AB InBev, Imperial Logistics, and Impala Platinum. APC now manages R350M and 30 SME equity investments, and we aim to scale and to contribute to true, rapid transformation of the South African economy.
Company Details
- Employees
- 25
- Founded
- -
- Address
- 1 Kotze Street, Braamfontein,south Africa
- Phone
- 011 024 1606
- Industry
- Venture Capital And Private Equity Principals
- NAICS
-
Miscellaneous Intermediation
- Website
- awethuproject.co.za
- Keywords
- Business Incubation, Economic Development, Business Investment, Private Equity, SME Investment, Alternative Education, Transformation, People Development.
- HQ
- Johannesburg
Awethu Project Holdings Questions
Awethu Project Holdings's helpline number is 011 024 1606
Awethu Project Holdings's website is awethuproject.co.za
Awethu Project Holdings's LinkedIn profile is https://za.linkedin.com/company/awethu-project
Awethu Project Holdings has
25 employees.
View email and phone details for 25
employees at Awethu Project Holdings.
Awethu Project Holdings's industry is
Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
Awethu Project Holdings's top competitors are
Absa Group,
Ambit Partners,
Driven Development,
Asisa Foundation,
Venteri Capital,
Amandla Awethu Project,
Gold Youth Development Agency,
The Lekker Network,
Mmuso Capital,
Thinking Sme.
Awethu Project Holdings's categories are Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
Awethu Project Holdings's founding year is 2009
