Tag: venture capital (VC)

In recent years, family offices have emerged as formidable players in the global financial landscape, managing substantial wealth on behalf of ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Although there is still a preference by some family offices to adopt a more hands-on approach by directly acquiring private companies and properties, many are mitigating risk by co-investing with seasoned private equity professionals in direct investments.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the beating heart of Africa’s economies. According to the World Economic Forum, as engines of growth, SMEs are responsible for around 80% of the continent’s employment, ultimately helping to reduce poverty and income inequality, enabling the establishment of a new middle class and driving demand for new goods and services.

When we think about the impact that private credit and other forms of financing have on African companies, we tend to think about things like business growth and success. But the impact that private capital in particular has goes far beyond that.

According to the World Economic Forum, artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute up to USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. However, in Africa, AI market growth has stagnated. Estimated at USD 870 million in 2021, with marginal growth forecasted until 2024.

Bank or private debt and venture debt are separate segments in the debt financing market. In contrast to venture debt financings, which relate to start-ups, bank or private debt financings involve the financing of established companies that have already generated profits, can provide collateral and service the debt from the start.

While there is still largely a pessimistic mind-set regards the South African economy locally, there are many companies that have been reporting good results and positive profits margins - think banks and service industries. As such, there is a real case to be made that this (positivity) will be able to drive economic growth.

There have been significant developments at Naspers-Prosus in recent times. The Great Value Unlock Trade (a cross-holding structure that was highly criticised by asset managers) was implemented, which made Naspers smaller in the local market and Prosus larger in the European market.

We have released a 32-page white paper, detailing the rise and impact of digital health – a sector which is projected to evolve into a trillion-dollar global market by 2030. This is a first in a series of five reports aimed at covering the breadth of the digital healthcare sector.

With as many as 30.1 percent of South Africans being left without work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was interesting to tap into the data to uncover the most needed and highest paying jobs, most searched-for terms on recruitment sites and how senior professionals can give back.

For years, we’ve been told that entrepreneurs are key to South Africa’s economic growth and job creation. If we had any hope of escaping quarter after quarter of sluggish growth (or recession), we were told, we needed to support and invest in entrepreneurs.