Rating based on 9 reviews

Invenfin

Updated
  • Local South African fund
  • Early and growth-stage
  • Long-term investment approach
Invenfin homepage
Author Invenfin. Screenshot of Invenfin website.
[Accessed July 27, 2023]

About Invenfin

Invenfin is a South African venture capital fund. It operates as part of Remgro, a South African investment holding company. Invenfin focuses on providing funding and support to early-stage and growth-stage companies in South Africa and beyond. They’re backed by a team of professionals who bring deep and extensive business experience, skills, and networks.

With a shared commitment to the growth and global expansion of their portfolio companies, the team at Invenfin supports and contributes to the success of the ventures they invest in. Led by Stuart Gast as the Chief Executive Officer and Jan du Toit as the Chairman, the team includes individuals such as Joe Kieser, Judy Sendzul, Peter van der Zee, Theo van den Berg, Erick Geyser, Thys Visser, John Schippers, Stefan Crouse, and Abigail Koopman.

Together, they bring a diverse range of expertise and perspectives to help guide and nurture the businesses they invest in.

Unlocking opportunities: Invenfin's hands-on approach to strategic investment and operational support

Invenfin operates based on a strong guiding principle that aligns with the goals of their parent company to create value for shareholders through enduring and trustworthy partnerships. Their approach involves acquiring a significant minority stake in the companies they invest in, which allows the original owners to maintain control, enthusiasm, and leadership.

As active and involved business partners, the Invenfin team works closely with the management of their portfolio companies, utilizing their strategic and operational expertise to identify opportunities and overcome challenges. They place a high priority on investments where they can make a substantial positive impact and actively encourage collaboration within their wider network. In addition to providing capital, Invenfin emphasizes the importance of good governance practices to foster the sustained success of their portfolio companies.

Invenfin's focus on high-impact ventures with market traction and rapid expansion

Invenfin, as a long-term investor, actively seeks out businesses that have achieved significant market traction and demonstrate potential for rapid growth. They specifically target ventures with robust intellectual property or barriers to entry, as well as those with strong potential for building a recognizable brand.

While Invenfin maintains a broad investment mandate, they have developed specialised expertise in the Consumer Brands sector. What sets them apart from investors with limited time horizons and strict exit objectives is that Invenfin invests using its own balance sheet. This grants them the flexibility to provide ongoing support to their portfolio companies over an extended period. By adopting a patient and dedicated approach, they are able to nurture and guide their investments towards sustainable and long-lasting success.

Invenfin Services

Invenfin is a seed and early stage venture capital fund that operates as part of Remgro, a global business network with a strong track record.

Invenfin focuses on providing funding for ambitious founders who are building fast-growing businesses with unique intellectual property. Their investment requirements are flexible, but they prioritise investments that have distinct intellectual property.

Invenfin’s investment history and portfolio

Invenfin had made 14 investments. One of their recent investments was in MoneyFellows as part of its Series B funding round on October 10, 2022, where MoneyFellows raised $31 million. The investors in that round included 4DX Ventures, Middle East Venture Partners, National Investments Company, and many more.

Another investment made by Invenfin was in Root, a company that received $3 million in seed funding. The investment took place on November 11, 2021, and the other investors involved were BASE Capital, FireID, Luno, P1 Ventures, Savannah Fund, and undisclosed angel investors.

Additionally, Invenfin participated in a Series A funding round for LifeQ, which raised $47 million. The investment in LifeQ occurred on May 26, 2021.

Early stage venture capital funding

Invenfin operates as a seed and early stage venture capital fund, providing funding to ambitious founders who are building fast-growing businesses. Their funding requirements are flexible, but they prioritise investments in companies with unique intellectual property.

Invenfin has a proven track record and benefits from being part of Remgro, a global business network, which allows them to tap into a wide range of resources and expertise. With a team that possesses deep and diverse business experience, skills, and networks, Invenfin actively supports and contributes to the growth and global expansion of their portfolio companies.

Unlike some venture capital funds that may have limited time horizons and strict exit objectives, Invenfin takes a long-term approach to investments. They invest off their own balance sheet, providing them with the flexibility to support their portfolio companies for an extended period. This patient capital approach enables Invenfin to nurture and guide their investments towards sustainable growth and success.

Invenfin – Venture Capital

  • Loan Type Venture Capital

Benefits of Invenfin

  • South African venture capital fund.
  • Part of Remgro's global business network.
  • Focuses on early and growth-stage companies.
  • Long-term investment approach.
  • Specialised expertise in Consumer Brands.
  • Patient capital for extended support.
  • Collaborative partnership with founders.
  • Interest in intellectual property and brand potential.
    Alignment with global trends.
  • Market validation flexibility.
  • Access to patient capital.
  • Expertise in consumer brands.
  • Active support and collaboration.
  • Investment flexibility.

Invenfin's strategic partnership approach to empower founders and drive rapid growth

In the assessment of potential investments, Invenfin seeks out companies that have established substantial presence in the market and are in harmony with fundamental global trends.

They exhibit a preference for ventures that showcase notable intellectual property or possess barriers to entry, along with those that exhibit promising brand potential. Invenfin's objective is to acquire a significant minority stake in the companies they invest in, enabling the original founders to maintain their authority, enthusiasm, and leadership.

As hands-on business partners, they work closely with management to unlock opportunities and address challenges. Invenfin leverages their strategic and operational capabilities to add meaningful value to their portfolio companies, while also providing access to capital, fostering collaboration within their broader network, and promoting good governance.

With their long-term investment approach and commitment to building sustainable partnerships, Invenfin supports founders in realizing their vision and achieving rapid growth in the industries of the future.

Summary of Invenfin’s eligibility requirements based on past investments

  • Market traction: Companies with a demonstrated track record of meaningful market traction are likely to be favored by Invenfin. This implies that companies should have achieved a certain level of customer adoption, revenue generation, or market share.
  • Intellectual property or barriers to entry: Invenfin shows a preference for ventures that possess strong intellectual property or have barriers to entry. This indicates that companies should have developed innovative technologies, proprietary processes, or unique business models that provide a competitive advantage and make it difficult for competitors to replicate their success.
  • Strong brand potential: Invenfin looks for companies with strong brand potential. This suggests that businesses should have a compelling brand identity, a clear value proposition, and the ability to resonate with target customers.
  • Ambitious founders: Invenfin backs ambitious founders who are passionate about their vision and demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Founders should be driven, adaptable, and open to collaboration with Invenfin as a strategic partner.
  • Alignment with global trends: Invenfin seeks companies that are aligned with fundamental global trends. This suggests that businesses should operate in industries or sectors that show promising growth potential and are positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities.
  • Market validation: Invenfin's funding requirements are flexible, suggesting that they are open to considering companies at various stages of development. However, it is likely that they would prefer companies that have achieved a certain level of market validation or milestones.
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Invenfin is a trusted & reliable provider of venture capital

In our review, Invenfin adheres to the compliance criteria in accordance with the National Credit Act, where the granting the loan will not cause financial distress to the consumer.

✅ Invenfin is a registered credit provider in South Africa: FSP41196

Invenfin Contact

Physical Address

  • 63 Dorp St Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch Western Cape 7600 South Africa
  • Get Directions

Postal Address

  • PO Box 456, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa

Opening Hours

  • Monday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Tuesday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Wednesday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Thursday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Friday 08:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday – Closed
  • Sunday – Closed