How to Find Investors for Startups in South Africa

Need funding for your startup? Here’s how South African founders are finding investors—from angel networks to pitch events and beyond.

You’ve got a killer startup idea—maybe it’s an edtech platform tackling South Africa’s literacy crisis, or an AI tool built for township businesses. Your prototype’s working, you’ve hustled together a solid team, and your pitch deck? Fire.

But now comes the hard part: finding someone willing to back you with actual money.

If you’re like most South African founders, you’ve probably wondered: Where do I even begin to find investors? Especially when capital feels like it flows in tight, closed networks—mostly in Joburg and Cape Town, and mostly to the usual suspects.

The good news? That’s changing. And in this article, we’ll unpack the real-world paths South African founders are using to get funded—from angel investors to government programmes to pitch competitions you probably haven’t heard of (yet).

Where SA Startup Funding Stands Right Now

According to the 2024 South African Startup Ecosystem Report by Disrupt Africa, local startups raised over R4.6 billion in 2023 alone—despite the global funding dip. Fintech and healthtech continue to lead, but there’s growing investor appetite in climate tech, AI, and logistics too.

But the challenge isn’t just capital—it’s access.

“Too many great founders don’t know where to look,” says Lethabo Mokoena, angel investor and founder of Walk Fresh. “They think if they’re not in Sandton or Woodstock, they’re out of the game. That’s not true anymore.”

1. Start with Angel Investors and Syndicates

Angel investors are often the first money in—individuals or small groups who back early-stage startups with R100,000 to R1 million in exchange for equity.

Where to find them:

Jozi Angels – A well-known network of early-stage investors based in Johannesburg.
Dazzle Angels – SA’s first angel fund focused on women-led startups.
SAVCA – The SA Venture Capital and Private Equity Association maintains a member list of active investors.
LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and in-person events are gold—many angels don’t advertise online.

Pro tip: Attend pitch nights like Startup Grind Johannesburg or Silicon Cape meetups. Many angels scout directly from these events.

2. Leverage Government and Development Funding

You don’t always need private investors. South Africa has several government-backed and development-focused funding options—especially if you’re a Black-owned, youth-owned, or rural-based startup.

Key platforms to explore:

SEFA (Small Enterprise Finance Agency) – Offers loans, equity, and grants for startups, especially in underserved areas.
IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) – Provides funding for scalable, high-impact businesses in sectors like manufacturing, green energy, and tech.
NYDA Grants – Offers funding for youth-owned businesses (ages 18–35).

Be warned: These applications are admin-heavy and slow-moving. Make sure your CIPC registration, tax clearance (SARS), and B-BBEE documents are in order.

3. Pitch Competitions & Accelerators Are a Hidden Gem

If you want visibility and traction, few things beat a live pitch. These platforms can help you raise funds and grow your network.

Try these local options:

AlphaCode Incubate – A Rand Merchant Investments initiative backing fintech founders with up to R1 million in grant funding.
Savannah Fund – Pan-African accelerator now actively investing in SA.
MTN App of the Year Awards – Winners often walk away with cash prizes and investor attention.
Innovation Hub’s Maxum Business Incubator – Offers support and funding for Gauteng-based tech startups.

“We landed our first cheque after winning the Grindstone Accelerator pitch,” says Kabelo Khumalo, founder of a logistics startup based in Tembisa. “It wasn’t just the money—investors suddenly started calling us back.”

4. Tap Into Corporate Venture Arms and Strategic Investors

Big SA corporates are increasingly backing startups—either directly or via corporate VC arms. They’re looking for innovations they can integrate, partner with, or scale.

Watch these players:

Nedbank’s VC arm (Nedbank Innovation Investment)
Foundery (Discovery) – Discovery’s innovation lab, known to co-build startups.
MTN Xlerator – MTN’s corporate accelerator for African tech startups.

These players aren’t always public with their deals, but they scout via industry events, partnerships with incubators, or platforms like VC4A and Startupbootcamp.

Quick Tips to Attract Investors

Before you go knocking on doors, make sure you’ve got your house in order:

✅ Have a clear pitch deck (problem, solution, traction, financials)
✅ Know your numbers (burn rate, CAC, unit economics)
✅ Be compliant (CIPC, POPIA, SARS—investors check this stuff)
✅ Start with warm intros whenever possible (LinkedIn is your best friend)
✅ Be investable, not just passionate

FAQs: Finding Startup Investors in South Africa

1. Do I need a registered company to get investment?

Yes. Most investors—especially VCs and angels—require you to be registered with CIPC, have a tax number from SARS, and ideally a business bank account.

2. Can I get funding without a tech product?

You can, but it’s harder. Tech startups often scale faster and attract more capital. If you’re in a non-tech sector (like agriculture or services), look into sector-specific grants or development funding.

3. Are there investors outside Joburg and Cape Town?

Yes. Networks are growing in Durban, Bloemfontein, and even smaller cities via startup hubs and university-linked incubators. But for now, most capital is still concentrated in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

4. Can foreigners invest in my SA startup?

Absolutely. Many South African startups attract foreign angels and VCs—just make sure your intellectual property (IP) and exchange control regulations are in order. Speak to a legal advisor familiar with SARB rules.

5. What if I keep getting rejected?

Refine your pitch. Get feedback. Consider bootstrapping or joining an accelerator first to build traction. Remember: investors bet on momentum, not just ideas.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Know a Guy in Sandton

South Africa’s funding landscape is no longer a black box. Whether you’re pitching at Startup Grind Joburg, applying for an NYDA grant in Khayelitsha, or DM’ing a Cape Town angel on LinkedIn, the pathways to capital are widening—especially if you’re prepared.

“Founders need to treat fundraising like a sales pipeline,” says Tumi Phake, founder of Zenzele Fitness. “It’s not luck. It’s strategy.”

So get your pitch deck in shape, polish that LinkedIn profile, and start showing up where investors are looking. Because if there’s one thing the SA startup space needs more of—it’s brave builders who refuse to wait for permission.