Experience

Knife Capital

• South Africa
• Investment Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner, Co-Founder

  • 2010 - Present

  Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, we accelerate the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market. Knife Capital is the incarnation of the SA venture capital division of 'Here Be Dragons' – a privately owned emerging market investment group founded by internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark… Show more Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, we accelerate the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market. Knife Capital is the incarnation of the SA venture capital division of 'Here Be Dragons' – a privately owned emerging market investment group founded by internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth. We have offices in Cape Town and London and invest via a consortium of funds under management, including SARS section 12J Venture Capital Company: KNF Ventures and UK-based Draper-Gain Investments. We build high-growth technology enabled SMEs through our Grindstone Accelerator and fill critical gaps in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through education and enterprise development initiatives. Show less Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, we accelerate the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market. Knife Capital is the incarnation of the SA venture capital division of 'Here Be Dragons' – a privately owned emerging market investment group founded by internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark… Show more Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, we accelerate the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market. Knife Capital is the incarnation of the SA venture capital division of 'Here Be Dragons' – a privately owned emerging market investment group founded by internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth. We have offices in Cape Town and London and invest via a consortium of funds under management, including SARS section 12J Venture Capital Company: KNF Ventures and UK-based Draper-Gain Investments. We build high-growth technology enabled SMEs through our Grindstone Accelerator and fill critical gaps in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through education and enterprise development initiatives. Show less



KNF Ventures

• South Africa
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals

• CEO

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  KNF Ventures is a SARS Section 12J Venture Capital Company - enabling qualifying investors to claim amounts invested as a full and permanent deduction from taxable income. By leveraging Knowledge, Networks & Funding, KNF Ventures accelerates the growth of South African innovation-driven SMEs and generate enhanced returns for investors. KNF Ventures is a SARS Section 12J Venture Capital Company - enabling qualifying investors to claim amounts invested as a full and permanent deduction from taxable income. By leveraging Knowledge, Networks & Funding, KNF Ventures accelerates the growth of South African innovation-driven SMEs and generate enhanced returns for investors.



Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA)

• South Africa
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Non Executive Director

  • Sep 2017 - Present

  SAVCA Board Member and Chairman of the Venture Capital Sub-Committee. SAVCA is a non-profit industry association, representing 160 members in Southern Africa, who collectively manage more than R170bn in assets. SAVCA promotes Southern African private equity by engaging with regulators and legislators on a range of matters affecting the industry; providing relevant and insightful research on aspects of the sector; offering relevant and informative training on private equity; and creating… Show more SAVCA Board Member and Chairman of the Venture Capital Sub-Committee. SAVCA is a non-profit industry association, representing 160 members in Southern Africa, who collectively manage more than R170bn in assets. SAVCA promotes Southern African private equity by engaging with regulators and legislators on a range of matters affecting the industry; providing relevant and insightful research on aspects of the sector; offering relevant and informative training on private equity; and creating meaningful networking opportunities for industry players. Show less SAVCA Board Member and Chairman of the Venture Capital Sub-Committee. SAVCA is a non-profit industry association, representing 160 members in Southern Africa, who collectively manage more than R170bn in assets. SAVCA promotes Southern African private equity by engaging with regulators and legislators on a range of matters affecting the industry; providing relevant and insightful research on aspects of the sector; offering relevant and informative training on private equity; and creating… Show more SAVCA Board Member and Chairman of the Venture Capital Sub-Committee. SAVCA is a non-profit industry association, representing 160 members in Southern Africa, who collectively manage more than R170bn in assets. SAVCA promotes Southern African private equity by engaging with regulators and legislators on a range of matters affecting the industry; providing relevant and insightful research on aspects of the sector; offering relevant and informative training on private equity; and creating meaningful networking opportunities for industry players. Show less



Grindstone Accelerator

• Co-Founder

  • Jul 2013 - Present

  Grindstone is a growth and funding platform by Knife Capital to assist post-revenue high-growth technology enabled SMEs to accelerate strategy execution. http://www.knifecap.com/grindstone.php Grindstone is a growth and funding platform by Knife Capital to assist post-revenue high-growth technology enabled SMEs to accelerate strategy execution. http://www.knifecap.com/grindstone.php



SiMODiSA Association

• South Africa
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Exco Member, Treasurer

  • Dec 2013 - Present

  SiMODiSA is a not-for-profit organization that was established as a powerful industry-led initiative to catalyse and amplify entrepreneurship in South Africa. SiMODiSA is a not-for-profit organization that was established as a powerful industry-led initiative to catalyse and amplify entrepreneurship in South Africa.



FlightScope (Pty) Ltd

• Non Executive Director

  • Jan 2008 - Present

  FlightScope® is a global high-tech company and a true world leader in the development and manufacturing of 3D Doppler Ball Tracking Monitors, Golf Radars & Launch Monitors for sports. FlightScope® is a global high-tech company and a true world leader in the development and manufacturing of 3D Doppler Ball Tracking Monitors, Golf Radars & Launch Monitors for sports.



Order Talk

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Non Executive Director

  • Jan 2009 - May 2017

  OrderTalk provides online ordering solutions to the restaurant industry. Its proprietary software allows restaurant chains to quickly acquire an online ordering presence on their existing websites and can easily be integrated with point-of-sale systems. orderTalk has a strong and growing presence in the US and the UK. OrderTalk provides online ordering solutions to the restaurant industry. Its proprietary software allows restaurant chains to quickly acquire an online ordering presence on their existing websites and can easily be integrated with point-of-sale systems. orderTalk has a strong and growing presence in the US and the UK.



African Dawn Capital

• Financial Services

• Director

  • May 2013 - Jan 2016

  Afdawn is a JSE AltX listed micro finance company that changed its vision to become an active investment holding company, acquiring shareholding in entrepreneurial businesses. Afdawn acquired Knife Capital in 2014 to enable the execution of this vision, but in 2017 the Knife Capital team bought the company back in a structured MBO. Afdawn is a JSE AltX listed micro finance company that changed its vision to become an active investment holding company, acquiring shareholding in entrepreneurial businesses. Afdawn acquired Knife Capital in 2014 to enable the execution of this vision, but in 2017 the Knife Capital team bought the company back in a structured MBO.



AngelHub

• Hong Kong
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder

  • Jun 2011 - Jan 2014

  AngelHub was established as a Business Angel Investment Group to pool funding, expertise & networks from a diverse range of early-stage Angel Investors for investment in high-growth South African ventures to accelerate growth & create value. The model evolved to an an Angel seed fund. AngelHub Ventures invests into lean startups with disruptive business models and technologies. AngelHub was established as a Business Angel Investment Group to pool funding, expertise & networks from a diverse range of early-stage Angel Investors for investment in high-growth South African ventures to accelerate growth & create value. The model evolved to an an Angel seed fund. AngelHub Ventures invests into lean startups with disruptive business models and technologies.



CSense Systems

• Non Executive Director

  • Jan 2008 - Apr 2011

  CSense provides comprehensive, integrated process performance enhancement products and solutions to the process and manufacturing industry. In April 2011 CSense was acquired by GE Intelligent Platforms. CSense provides comprehensive, integrated process performance enhancement products and solutions to the process and manufacturing industry. In April 2011 CSense was acquired by GE Intelligent Platforms.



HBD Venture Capital

• Venture Capitalist

  • Mar 2007 - Jun 2010

  HBD Venture Capital is a successful South African Venture Capital Fund that was founded by Internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth. Exits include CSense (Analytics Software) to US technology giant: General Electric, and Fundamo (Mobile Financial Services) to VISA and orderTalk (online food ordering software) to Uber Eats. HBD is an acronym for “Here Be Dragons” - a term used in ancient times to mark unchartered territories on maps. HBD Venture Capital is a successful South African Venture Capital Fund that was founded by Internet entrepreneur and cosmonaut Mark Shuttleworth. Exits include CSense (Analytics Software) to US technology giant: General Electric, and Fundamo (Mobile Financial Services) to VISA and orderTalk (online food ordering software) to Uber Eats. HBD is an acronym for “Here Be Dragons” - a term used in ancient times to mark unchartered territories on maps.



Investec

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• External Consultant

  • Oct 2004 - Jan 2006

  Keet played an integral role in establishing Investec Private Bank’s Growth & Acquisition Finance division in Cape Town that structures and funds specialised investment opportunities for owner-managed businesses - specifically focusing on the following: Equity purchases (including the facilitation of BEE transactions); Asset purchases; Management buy-outs and buy-ins; Funding of employee share incentive schemes; Balance sheet restructuring and recapitalisation; Mezzanine finance; Property… Show more Keet played an integral role in establishing Investec Private Bank’s Growth & Acquisition Finance division in Cape Town that structures and funds specialised investment opportunities for owner-managed businesses - specifically focusing on the following: Equity purchases (including the facilitation of BEE transactions); Asset purchases; Management buy-outs and buy-ins; Funding of employee share incentive schemes; Balance sheet restructuring and recapitalisation; Mezzanine finance; Property development and acquisition (business premises); Structured lending; Working capital and treasury management facilities; Treasury cash deposit facilities. Show less Keet played an integral role in establishing Investec Private Bank’s Growth & Acquisition Finance division in Cape Town that structures and funds specialised investment opportunities for owner-managed businesses - specifically focusing on the following: Equity purchases (including the facilitation of BEE transactions); Asset purchases; Management buy-outs and buy-ins; Funding of employee share incentive schemes; Balance sheet restructuring and recapitalisation; Mezzanine finance; Property… Show more Keet played an integral role in establishing Investec Private Bank’s Growth & Acquisition Finance division in Cape Town that structures and funds specialised investment opportunities for owner-managed businesses - specifically focusing on the following: Equity purchases (including the facilitation of BEE transactions); Asset purchases; Management buy-outs and buy-ins; Funding of employee share incentive schemes; Balance sheet restructuring and recapitalisation; Mezzanine finance; Property development and acquisition (business premises); Structured lending; Working capital and treasury management facilities; Treasury cash deposit facilities. Show less



SAEDF

• Executive Offices

• Investment Associate

  • Jul 1999 - Jun 2003

  Keet served as acting head of the Financial Services portfolio for the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) where he was responsible for structuring, funding and monitoring various private equity funds, banks and other financial institutions in the Southern African region. He was responsible for the performance of 11 Financial Services portfolio companies representing committed funds of US$26 million. These investments included: Kagiso Ventures Private Equity Fund 1 (South… Show more Keet served as acting head of the Financial Services portfolio for the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) where he was responsible for structuring, funding and monitoring various private equity funds, banks and other financial institutions in the Southern African region. He was responsible for the performance of 11 Financial Services portfolio companies representing committed funds of US$26 million. These investments included: Kagiso Ventures Private Equity Fund 1 (South Africa); CEDA Venture Capital Fund (Botswana); Mozambique Equity Fund (Mozambique); African Banking Corporation (Botswana); Industrial Credit Corporation (Zambia); Loita Holdings Corporation (Zambia/Mauritius) and Century Holdings (Zimbabwe). Show less Keet served as acting head of the Financial Services portfolio for the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) where he was responsible for structuring, funding and monitoring various private equity funds, banks and other financial institutions in the Southern African region. He was responsible for the performance of 11 Financial Services portfolio companies representing committed funds of US$26 million. These investments included: Kagiso Ventures Private Equity Fund 1 (South… Show more Keet served as acting head of the Financial Services portfolio for the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) where he was responsible for structuring, funding and monitoring various private equity funds, banks and other financial institutions in the Southern African region. He was responsible for the performance of 11 Financial Services portfolio companies representing committed funds of US$26 million. These investments included: Kagiso Ventures Private Equity Fund 1 (South Africa); CEDA Venture Capital Fund (Botswana); Mozambique Equity Fund (Mozambique); African Banking Corporation (Botswana); Industrial Credit Corporation (Zambia); Loita Holdings Corporation (Zambia/Mauritius) and Century Holdings (Zimbabwe). Show less



Procter & Gamble

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Financial Analyst

  • Jan 1998 - Jun 1999

  As Brand Financial Analyst Keet was responsible for budgeting and profit forecasting and he developed and calculated project economics for new product launches. He was responsible for the highly successful launch of Pantene in South Africa – one of the leading hair care brands in the world. As Product Supply Financial Analyst Keet was responsible for the Finance division of P&G’s South African manufacturing and logistics operations. As Brand Financial Analyst Keet was responsible for budgeting and profit forecasting and he developed and calculated project economics for new product launches. He was responsible for the highly successful launch of Pantene in South Africa – one of the leading hair care brands in the world. As Product Supply Financial Analyst Keet was responsible for the Finance division of P&G’s South African manufacturing and logistics operations.