Live on stage: CY at the London x Cape Town Tech Summit, in conversation with Quona Capital, Fireball Capital & Summit, getting real about what cross-border #investing actually takes. #ConnectedCities #VCInsights #GlobalDealFlow #CapeTownTech #LondonTech

Today’s Connected Cities: London x Cape Town #Tech Summit put substance behind the noise. Cross-border #investing is less about theory & more about execution. We’re already backing the momentum with a presence on both sides, and a #portfolio that’s built to #scale across borders.

Ever wondered why investors hand you a non-binding term sheet? Legal expert Martin Cloete cuts through the confusion because, binding or not, investors will find a way to walk away from a deal if they want to. #KnifeCapLegalSeries #TermSheets #StartupFunding #VC #VC101

Say hi to Craig Ivy, our newest addition to the Knife Capital team as Investment Manager. A CA(SA) with serious street cred in listed credit, #equity, and private debt, Craig doesn’t just spot value, he sharpens it. #KnifeCapital #VC #TeamKnife

Who makes the magic happen and at what cost? Martin Cloete reveals how key individuals, who are critical to the #startup’s success, can face extra obligations. You might find it flattering to be listed as a key individual, until you read the fine print! #KnifeCapLegalSeries

Cap tables can get complicated, especially when #SAFEs, #ConvertibleNotes & employee incentives schemes are included in the mix. Martin Cloete explains why investors insist on a 'fully-diluted' view of your #CapTable & what that means, which can save you trouble later on. #VC

We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of Optique’s 20th store! #Optique continues to impress with its mission to simplify #EyeCare across South Africa, combining clinical excellence with #innovation, convenience, accessibility, & style. #VC optique.co.za

At Knife Capital, backing brilliant people is what we do. Today, we’re spotlighting the brilliant, #sharp-minded #women in our team, the strategists, the leaders, the operators, the believers, who pass the heart of our mission forward every day. Happy #WomensDay! #WomensDay2025

When #VCs bring money to the table, they need to ensure that their rights are protected. Martin Cloete unpacks why VCs & other #investors often insist on being issued with #PreferenceShares, which enjoy certain enhanced rights over the ordinary shares usually held by #founders.

Getting an #investor on board is great, until they start making decisions. In this episode, Martin Cloete shares how investors #negotiate board seats, voting rights, and veto powers, and how #founders can limit investor control over day-to-day #operations. #KnifeCapLegalSeries

Ready to sell? #TagAlong clauses protect minority #shareholders from getting left behind, while drag-alongs ensure that smaller shareholders can’t derail a big sale that’s supported by the majority. Martin Cloete breaks down why these twin clauses are crucial for smooth #exits. #VC

Thandiwe is one of our star #investment associates at Knife, and is also CEO of Grindstone Ventures. In our next #sixweekseries, Thandi will break down the essentials of smart #scaling, from getting the basics right, to avoiding common pitfalls, and leveraging #partnerships.👀

Behind every successful #innovation story are lessons learned the hard way. Later today at #Leaderex2025, Lucie Fink will join Frans Cronje & Ridwaan Seedat from DataProphet for a conversation on what it really takes to implement #AI-driven #transformation in #manufacturing.

From Cape Town to the globe, DataProphet is proving that #AfricanInnovation leads from the front. At #Leaderex2025, DataProphet’s founder, Frans Cronje, shared how their prescriptive AI solution is transforming manufacturing by moving the sector from hindsight to foresight. #VC

Scaling is exciting, until it isn’t. Before you even think about scaling, ask yourself: 🔹 Do I understand my #market? 🔹 Can my #operations handle 10x customers? 🔹 Are my #revenue streams predictable? 🔹 Do I have the right team in place? #KnifeCapScalingSeries #Startup #VC

Today, we celebrate South Africa’s greatest asset, its people. Heritage isn’t just about where we come from, it’s also the foundation for tomorrow. Happy Heritage Day! 🇿🇦 #HeritageDay #KnifeCapital #SouthAfrica #HeritageDay2025 #Braaiday

#Invest in the wrong growth channels, and you’ll burn through cash faster than you #scale. The key is in knowing your #audience. Then, prioritise #growth channels based on various factors. The best founders don’t chase all channels. They focus on the right ones. #GrowthHacks

This week, Thandiwe shares that a broken team will break your business, no matter how strong your #product is. #Scaling means hiring fast, but without a strong #culture, fast hiring leads to misalignment, disengagement, and high #turnover. What does your company stand for? #VC

Some #metrics look great on paper but mean nothing when it comes to tracking real #growth. The #startups that #scale successfully focus on numbers that actually drive #impact. Watch below to ensure you’re #tracking growth effectively and measuring what matters, not the noise.

We often talk about attracting international #capital, but let’s not overlook local #funding. At SAVCA VC Conference, Keet van Zyl spotlighted the power of local LPs like SA SME Fund, E Squared Investments & Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Everybody wins when local capital backs local #innovation.