What We Do.
There are very few funders willing to invest in unproven, early stage ventures.
There are very few resources dedicated to experimentation and innovation in the early childhood sector.
We exist to fill these gaps.
We support entrepreneurs and social innovators to develop, test and launch innovative solutions to early childhood challenges in South Africa.
We curate the resources and join disparate dots to ignite greater innovation and entrepreneurship in the South African early childhood ecosystem.
We Offer
We offer multiple rounds of funding, where the amount and type of financial instrument (incl. grants, equity and concessionary debt) is tailored to the stage of the solution.
We Customise
Our customised venture support helps our entrepreneurs and social innovators develop and test their solutions; refine and articulate their value proposition; explore pathways to scale and demonstrate social and financial return potential.
We provide
We provide valuable connections to follow-on funders and a variety of other actors well placed to support growth and sustainability.
We Attract
We attract new innovators, institutions, investors and other actors to the early childhood ecosystem.
We Connect
We connect diverse stakeholders to support the flow of information, talent and capital.
We Share
We share insights on innovation products and processes to contribute to a collective understanding of what has and has not worked.
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What characteristics does Innovation Edge look for in investees?
We believe that innovative solutions to early childhood challenges can come from anyone, anywhere.
Investees might be seasoned or beginner entrepreneurs. They might be launching or leading a startup. They might be employed in a business or non-profit and see the opportunity for their organisation to develop or grow an innovative product or service. They might be situated in an innovation lab in an academic institution. They might even be a student fresh out of a learning institution.
We look for mission-aligned investees who are:
- Highly motivated, capable and determined
- Collaborative and accountable
- Open to coaching and have a growth mindset
- Able to think creatively and be adaptable
Who or what does Innovation Edge NOT fund?
- We do not currently fund ventures outside of South Africa
- We’re unable to support ventures that are not sustainable post Innovation Edge funding
- We will not invest in ventures that do not directly or indirectly impact the lives of children between the ages of 0 – 6 (this period includes pregnancy)
Does Innovation Edge invest in for-profit and non-profit ventures?
Yes. Our financial support (amount and instrument) is fit for purpose, tailored to the needs and profile of both for-profit and non-profit ventures. Our return expectations are driven by our mandate as a de-risker for early stage ventures. This means that we will make investments in ventures that generate attractive impact and financial returns.
What non-financial support do investees receive?
We have a learning mindset with a high tolerance for trial and error. Our customised venture support is both pragmatic and strategic and includes access to a team of experts to help you:-
- Understand and navigate the early childhood development ecosystem
- Test your assumptions and validate your solution in an iterative way
- Build and test prototypes
- Design strategies for customer acquisition, engagement and retention
- Plan for sustainability and scale, including building a fit-for-purpose business model and team
- Demonstrate social and financial return potential
- Define and articulate your value proposition
- Connect to potential follow-on funders