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Since 2018, Knife Capital has backed 8 African startups across 12 disclosed funding rounds totaling $42M, most heavily in South Africa and AI & Analytics.
Knife Capital is a South African venture capital investment manager founded in 2010. The firm originated from the South African venture capital division of Here Be Dragons, an emerging market investment group founded by Mark Shuttleworth. Based in Cape Town, Knife Capital accelerates the international expansion of African innovation-driven businesses through milestone-based investments and its Grindstone Accelerator program launched in 2013. Knife Capital invests primarily in South African companies with potential for international success, considering Sub-Saharan Africa opportunities. Its funds target seed to Series B stages, with Knife Fund III holding a pan-African mandate focused on South African breakout companies post product-market fit. The firm has backed 11 rounds totaling $39.0M from March 2018 to July 2025, emphasizing sectors like AI & Analytics, HR & Talent, EdTech, Fintech, Health Tech, and Real Estate & Property, including companies such as Sticitt, Kasha, DataProphet, Wamly, D6, Kandua, and Snapplify. Knife Capital has achieved exits like CSense to General Electric, Fundamo to VISA, and orderTalk to Uber Eats. It manages funds including KNF Ventures and Knife Fund III, often co-investing with partners like Norican Group and Industrial Development Corporation.
Data updated · Jul 29, 2026
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Knife Capital has backed 8 African startups across 12 disclosed funding rounds tracked on Liners, totaling $42M since 2018.
Mostly Venture (Round not Specified): 5 of its 12 tracked rounds are at that stage, followed by Series A (4).
Knife Capital's tracked rounds are concentrated in South Africa (11), Rwanda (1).
Its tracked rounds lean toward AI & Analytics (5), HR & Talent (2), EdTech (2), and 3 more sectors.
Knife Capital most often shares rounds with Norican Group (2 shared deals), Industrial Development Corporation (2 shared deals), Hlayisani Capital (2 shared deals).
Yes, Knife Capital has achieved exits including CSense to General Electric, Fundamo to VISA, and orderTalk to Uber Eats.
Knife Capital has backed Sticitt, Kasha, DataProphet, Wamly, D6, Kandua, and Snapplify. Notable rounds include Kasha's $21.0M Series B and DataProphet's $10.0M Series A.