Early stage venture funding in South Africa

Entrepreneurship is a key ingredient to reducing unemployment and increasing economic growth. In South Africa historical data points to an issue with entrepreneurs getting access to early stage venture capital. Venture capitalists usually back numerous ventures with the hope that some of them will produce significant returns while the rest will fail. The data-collection method was qualitative by nature and centered on eight interviews with either portfolio or investment managers at VC funds or divisions operating in South Africa. The data provided by the respondents was analyzed and compared to the propositions identified in the literature review and finally conclusions and recommendations were made. While they both disburse funds to new ventures public and private sector VCs share differing interests and motivations.