Heritage is context as much as it is history. It shapes how we think, build, and solve. In South Africa, that diversity isn’t a challenge, it’s an advantage. #Heritage #Culture #Diversity #HeritageDay #BraaiDay #SouthAfrica

Representation is only the starting point. #Diversity is a performance driver. Our partners at @Grindstone wrote an article on this: grindstonexl.com/latest-news… Diverse #founding teams don’t just change the #ecosystem, they strengthen it. #WomensDay #VentureCapital #Ecosystem

In Craig's final episode, he explores how to present your ask, use of #funds, #captable, and #valuation clearly. But more importantly, he explains how to end on vision, reminding #investors why this matters and where you’re going. Watch here: youtu.be/u48fCJs7Jf8

Financials don’t need to be fancy, they have to make sense. Today, Craig outlines what to include on your #financials slide, how to present projections realistically, & how to link your assumptions to a clear #growth story. Aim for clarity and confidence: youtu.be/ngc0gYTCPwE

This week, Craig explores how to present your #team in a way that #builds confidence. Show complementary #skills, relevant experience, and how you execute together. This is your #credibility slide, so make it count: youtu.be/G3--f_w-cyc #pitchdeck #VC

#Traction is about proving your #business is real and growing. Whether it’s #revenue, pilots, #partnerships or #retention, pick the numbers that tell your best story. This week, Craig shares how to highlight the metrics that matter for your stage: youtu.be/4-d2geA_aIg #VC

“This market is huge” is not a #strategy. This week, Craig explains how to present your #market in a way that’s compelling & grounded. Show #investors there’s real demand, a path to capture it, and a team that understands the dynamics. Hear Craig’s input: youtu.be/X-DE_0ztqws

If an #investor can’t understand your #business in 30 seconds, you’ve lost them. Craig breaks down how to clearly frame your business offering, identify your #customer, and describe the #problem you’re solving. No industry jargon allowed. Watch the clip: youtu.be/t5b9sTsZCOE

Your #pitchdeck is your first impression, and in early-stage investing, first impressions matter. Next week, Craig Ivy, #Investment Manager at #KnifeCapital, launches our next six-week series that unpacks exactly what goes into a compelling, investor-ready pitch deck. #VC

Here’s the bottom line: #credibility drives #value. In the final post of the series, Vivienne van der Westhuizen shares how transparency, consistency, and #financial maturity directly impact your #exit valuation. If a #buyer can’t trust your #numbers, they’ll walk. #VC

#Youth isn’t just potential, it’s where the next generation of #builders emerges. #Founders who think globally from day one. Operators who move faster than legacy #systems. Talent that doesn’t wait for permission. The #opportunity isn’t to “support youth”, it’s to back them.

Spoiler: your #accountant isn’t going to get you exit-ready. Vivienne highlights why #startups need more than #bookkeeping. They need #strategic #financialthinking. That means someone who challenges #assumptions, models scenarios, & keeps your financial discipline on track. #VC

In this video, Vivienne explains why budget & #cashflow go together and why a simple budget alone will not predict the potential real #risks. While #budgets are your optimistic view of the future, cashflow #forecasts are the reality check. #KnifeCapFinanceSeries #VC

Let’s be honest. #Budgets are usually optimistic fiction. #Balancesheets and #cashflow forecasts? That’s where the truth lives. In this episode, Vivienne van der Westhuizen unpacks how to build #credibility by completing and understanding your different #financial reports.

You can have the flashiest #pitch deck in the room, but if your #financials don’t back it up, investors will bounce. This week, Vivienne breaks down what #investors actually look for during #duediligence: accuracy, transparency, and a #team that understands its own numbers.

Exits aren’t just about #valuations and robust negotiations, they’re built on years of disciplined #financial habits. This week, Vivienne van der Westhuizen, Group #CFO, kicks off our next six-week series with one key truth: #exit success doesn’t happen by accident. #VC

This week, Josh explains how a clean, well-organised data room can turn DD from painful to powerful. It’s not just about impressing #investors, it’s about proving your #team is ready to #scale. Transparency builds trust. Maturity closes deals. #KnifeCapDDSeries #DataRoomReady

Growth doesn’t happen in theory. It’s built by people, showing up, solving problems, doing the work. Today we recognise the engine behind every business: the people who make it move. #WorkersDay #Workers #Founders #SouthAfrica #VentureCapital

Is your #product built to #scale, or is it just duct tape and dreams? This week, Josh explores what #tech #duediligence really looks at: scalability, defensibility, code #quality, and #productmarket alignment. You don’t need perfect tech, but you do need clarity.

Freedom is a responsibility. To build. To scale. To unlock opportunity. Today, we recognise the foundation, and focus on what we do with it. #FreedomDay #FreedomDay2026 #SouthAfrica