Innovation Edge is an impact-first investor focused on solving early childhood challenges in South Africa.
We support mission-aligned entrepreneurs and social innovators by de-risking early stage product and service development. We ignite the ecosystem around them; and provide multiple rounds of funding, bespoke strategic coaching, operational support and connections to social capital.
We prioritise innovative solutions that not only aim to make an impact, but also have the ability to sustain themselves beyond the period of our support.
Find
We’re always on the lookout for courageous people with creative concepts for solving early childhood challenges
Support
Our entrepreneur-friendly approach, flexible funding and hands-on non-financial support that is customised to suit the stage of each solution sets us apart from other investors.
Ignite
Our work also focuses on igniting greater innovation and entrepreneurship in the early childhood ecosystem
Our impact Areas.
More than 6 out of 10 children in South Africa are at risk of never reaching their full potential.
Over 60% of South Africa’s children live in poverty. Challenging life experiences during their first six years, compounded by systemic failure, reduce their possibility of present-day and future well-being. Our investments aim to improve the chances of children’s life-long success by influencing the quality of their first six years of life. We take a holistic approach to solving the issues in early childhood development by empowering innovation in four impact areas.
We strive for impact in 4 areas:
Early Learning in the Home
A child who has daily brain-building interactions right from birth develops strong learning foundations
Quality Early Learning Programmes
A child who attends a quality early learning programme for at least 2 years is more likely to start school on track
Early Health and Well-being
A child who receives nourishing food and good healthcare is able to grow to their full potential
Early Security and Safety
A child who feels safe and is protected from toxic levels of stress is free to thrive
RANDS INVESTED
R55 Million
INVESTMENTS
47
REINVESTMENTS
10
ACTIVE INVESTMENTS
10
EXITED INVESTMENTS
37
Featured investments.
Teampact
Teampact uses existing smartphone technology and leverages established ‘selfie culture’ behaviour to make attendance tracking easy and fun; simply using photos to track attendance, dates and location. Teampact encourages the use of digital attendance tracking to make data-informed decisions.
Our Space
OURSpace is a connectivity device that enables access to educational resources both online and offline. It leverages affordable technology to support learning in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas where data infrastructure is limited or costly, ensuring uninterrupted access to digital resources. OURSpace encourages digital inclusion to enhance educational outcomes.
PMHP
The Secret History Mobile Application (SHiMA), developed by the Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP), is a mobile training app for maternity healthcare workers. It focuses on improving respectful care, empathic engagement, and self-care, enhancing mental health outcomes for pregnant mothers and caregivers. SHiMA promotes better maternal mental health through skill development.
Upskill
Upskill is a mobile and web-based learning platform offering SACE-endorsed modules for early learning practitioners, teachers, and school leaders across Africa. It provides easy access to professional development resources, supporting continuous learning and growth. Upskill encourages quality education through accessible, accredited training content.
Latest insights and stories.
IE’s Ruben Mpanya on Purpose, Innovation, and the Power of Early Investment
“I remember being about four or five, begging my dad for a video game console,” Ruben Mpanya recalls with a chuckle in his voice. “Instead, he bought me six volumes of the Children’s Oxford Encyclopaedia. He, my brother, and my sister would sit and read with me....
Ambani Gives Learning a Voice Children Understand
How deeply can a child learn when their education speaks their language and reflects their world? For millions of South African children, the answer is, “not deeply enough”. Their early learning experience is often shaped by grappling with new concepts in a language...
When Mothers Fall Through the Cracks, Children Follow
You’ve just found out you’re pregnant. You want to do what’s best for your child – attend your check-ups, ask questions, eat right, and prepare yourself for the journey ahead. But already, you’re up against a wall of challenges, such as long waits at the clinic,...
Financial partners.
