SAAD

SAAD Investment Holdings, established in 2006, is a division of the Tree of Life group that aims to purchase, establish, and grow companies in various sectors with a long-term perspective, generating excellent returns while also benefiting communities and people's lives.

SAAD identifies as active investors who support the businesses they’ve invested in through capital injection, strategic guidance, and connections to business networks. SAAD's primary aim is to create genuine economic and social progress, as they strive to have a constructive influence on society.

SAAD investment holdings: Prioritising trust-based relationships and diverse investments

Building strong relationships based on trust is fundamental to SAAD. They believe that their collaboration with management teams and other shareholders is vital for the success of the businesses they invest in.

SAAD's core activities involve providing Private Equity Fund Management services to the Tree of Life Foundation and SAAD Financial Holdings.

They’ve recently invested in various companies in diverse industries, such as Tafelberg Furnishers, Agventure, Computer Mania Group, Mettle Holdco, Jobjack, INOVO, Future Media Group, Pargo, Compass Medical Waste Services, and Think Capital. SAAD provides a combination of equity and debt to fund the continued growth of these businesses.

Meet the experienced and diverse team behind SAAD investment holdings

SAAD Investment Holdings is led by four core team members: Peter Doyle, the Chairman; Omri Thomas, the Chairman of the Investment Committee; Johan du Preez, the CEO; and Emile Wessels, the Director.

Peter Doyle has a diverse background in actuarial valuations, marketing, product development, finance, and IT, and he has also made significant contributions to HIV/AIDS research.

Omri Thomas began as an equity analyst with Old Mutual in Cape Town and later became the Chief Investment Officer of Sanlam Investment Management. Johan du Preez has expertise in retail store turnaround and managed healthcare. Emile Wessels, a former lawyer, has experience in strategy development and implementation and holds positions in several other organizations.

Apart from their roles in SAAD, each member serves in leadership positions for other organizations, such as director, non-executive director, trustee, and chairman. The team members collectively bring a wealth of experience in finance, law, and healthcare, and their diverse backgrounds and expertise contribute to the success of SAAD Investment Holdings.

Tree of life foundation's sustainable support mission via endowment and donor-advised fund platform

SAAD is owned by the Tree of Life Foundation, a registered Public Benefit Organisation in South Africa. The foundation's main goal is to create an endowment fund to support qualifying charities in South Africa and Africa in the long term.

These charities often face difficulties in long-term planning and undertaking lengthier projects due to irregular and short-term funding. To solve this, TOL invests funds in a way that allows roughly 2.5% of the capital base to be distributed annually to a number of chosen charities, NGOs, and ministries according to the Tree of Life deed.

The foundation offers its expertise, systems, and structures to donors in South Africa and abroad through a donor-advised fund platform. By donating to TOL through this platform, donors can retain advisory privileges on how their donations are invested and which charities should ultimately benefit, leading to significant cost and tax savings, and more efficient and effective support for charities.

SAAD Investment Management mainly focuses on providing capital for established businesses with real growth opportunities rather than providing seed funding for start-ups. Besides equity investment, SAAD also offers mezzanine debt financing to selected businesses, but usually, they require an equity stake before providing such financing.

The company invests in capital-light companies that are already cash generative and avoids capital-intensive sectors such as mining and primary agriculture. The company is sector agnostic but has a preference for financial services, where its core team has a significant background.

SAAD Investment Management has invested in a diverse range of companies, including:

• Acorn Agri & Food: A South African agricultural and food group that has been in operation for 100 years and has a vertically integrated business model.
• Agventure: An African agrifood technology group that invests in innovative, privately-owned agrifood companies with dynamic entrepreneurship.
• Compass Medical Waste Services: Offers comprehensive healthcare risk waste management services.
• Computer Mania: The largest independent technology retailer in Southern Africa.
• DB Schenker Logistics Campus MEA: Provides crucial support to the logistics industry in Africa and the Middle East.
• Grassroots Group: Supplies high-quality natural, health, and lifestyle products to local and international markets.
• INOVO Telecom: Provides contact centers with award-winning technology, solutions, and professional services that deliver measurable results.
• JobJack: An online platform connecting employers with job seekers.
• Mettle Specialised Solutions: A specialist financial services company.
• Pargo: A tech-enabled network that facilitates affordable, accessible, and reliable delivery of parcels.
• Power Group: A company that aims to enhance the quality of life in Africa through infrastructure development.
• Tafelberg Furnishers: One of the biggest independent retailers in the Western Cape, specializing in furniture.
• THINK CAPITAL: Provides clients with alternative investment solutions.
• True South Actuaries and Consultants: Offers actuarial and consulting services to a diverse range of clients.
• Westcor: A market leader that helps retailers create, manage, and expand their accessory categories in a niche mark

SAAD provides mezzanine debt financing to select businesses with proven business concepts and real growth opportunities. This is an attractive option for companies looking to raise capital without diluting equity or losing control of their company.

They offer this type of financing to complement equity investment and support companies in achieving their growth objectives. If your business fits this criterion, SAAD welcomes you to approach them for potential mezzanine debt financing opportunities.