SAVCA Private Equity Conference 2023 Sponsors
Thank you to this year's sponsors.
Tier 1 (Lead Sponsor)
Benchmark International
Benchmark International is a global mergers and acquisitions firm, specialising in mid- and lower mid-market company transactions.
From eleven offices across the world, our unique and dynamic sell-side advisory offering presents clients and acquirers with unparalleled global coverage, by accessing both local and international opportunities through our exclusive databases and business intelligence facilities. Benchmark International has handled engagements across three continents, representing over USD 9.4 billion in transaction value across multiple industries worldwide.
The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by the M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network, as well as the #1 Sell-side-exclusive M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook’s Global League Tables.
Congruent with SAVCA’s 2023 conference theme of Resilience, Benchmark International has continued strong and consistent growth throughout the turmoil of recent times, opening new offices in new territories and growing our team of dealmakers to over 300, of whom 45 are located at our South African offices.
We aim to connect the right people with the right opportunities. Having handled over 1600 transactions, we have earned the trust of mid-market company shareholders, who rely on us to deliver sustainable solutions for growth, wealth diversification, and exits. Our success is reflected in our recognition as a Forbes Top 50 M&A adviser, a testament to our ability to achieve fair, authentic, and mutually beneficial outcomes.
If you’re looking to transact in mid-market companies, we invite you to tap into our global expertise and partner with us for attractive deal-sourcing or equity disposal opportunities.
Vistra
At Vistra, we believe your business and your people can make a difference in the world. That’s why our work is focused on helping our clients act with confidence and speed to seize opportunity wherever it arises. We help businesses that do good, do better. As a global corporate service provider and fund administrator with more than 5,000 professionals in over 45 jurisdictions, we work with clients who are making a difference in the world, whether they’re developing new technology, new ways of investing or new ways of working. Behind their work, you’ll find us managing and securing their entities so they can employ more people, expand into new markets, improve their productivity, and structure their businesses more efficiently. We empower legal entities globally to work smarter, grow faster, act responsibly, protect capital and scale across borders — by doing what we do best: reducing risk and enhancing efficiency.
As a result, we’ve built long-lasting relationships with many of the world’s leading investors, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals. They rely on us to take care of their commitments so they can take their next bold step.
And we continue to innovate and grow together with our clients, it’s why we represent 30% of the top 50 Fortune Global 500 companies and count 6 of the top 10 private equity firms as our partners.
Discover how we can help you and your business seize the opportunity today by exploring our services at vistra.com.
Tier 2 (Co-Sponsor)
Control Risks
Control Risks is a specialist risk consultancy. We are committed to helping our clients build organisations that are secure, compliant, and resilient in an age of ever-changing risk and connectivity. For more than 40 years, Control Risks has been helping clients prepare and assess their investment risks and opportunities in Africa. With eight offices across five countries on the continent, supported by an experienced team of over 400 staff and consultants and an extensive on-ground network, we can provide the support our clients need. We work with some of the largest investors and multinationals across the region, as well as the most respected African companies, from mining and energy to NGO’s, technology, and telecommunications.
Tamela Capital Partners
Tamela Capital Partners (“Tamela Capital”) is one of a few credit-oriented alternative asset managers in Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns and capital preservation for its investors.
Tamela Capital seeks to partner with strong, experienced management teams to grow their businesses into market leading positions. Investments pursued by the Fund are therefore on a selective basis, typically where the underlying business is niche and established in its market segment.
Tamela Capital is a subsidiary of Tamela Holdings Proprietary Limited which was founded in 2008. The core investment team consisting of Vusi Mahlangu, Thato Tsita and Sydney Mhlarhi has over 50 years investment experience including private equity, mezzanine and credit investing and capital raising. Vusi and Sydney established the first listed mezzanine fund in South Africa, Makalani Mezzanine Fund, which successfully invested R2.9-billion across 34 transactions in different sectors of the economy.
Verdant Capital
Verdant Capital is a leading investment bank and investment manager, operating on a Pan-African basis and specialising in private capital markets. We are authorised by the Financial Services Conduct Authority in South Africa (FSP44608) and licenced by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. We are a BaFin-registered AIFM and boast offices in Johannesburg, Ebene, Accra, Harare, Kinshasa, and Frankfurt.
We operate in more than 25 African countries and manage the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, which invests hybrid capital into inclusive financial institutions on a Pan-African basis.
Verdant Capital is the International Mergers and Acquisitions Partner (IMAP) for its region.
Willis Towers Watson
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets.
WTW’s M&A team brings a unique combination of risk expertise and a deep understanding of human capital and organisational culture to your deal. We draw from the experiences of more than 2,000 yearly global M&A and private equity transactions, to help our clients achieve both short- and long-term success. Given our volume, we generate significant leverage with the global M&A insurance market.
Tier 3
Harith General Partners
Founded in 2006, Harith General Partners is the leading Pan-African investor and developer of infrastructure across the continent. With over $1.2-billion of total assets under management, Harith provides investors with exposure to major projects in diversified sectors including energy, transport and digital infrastructure. As a fund manager for the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF), we currently manage investments across eight African countries: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Jersey Finance
Jersey Finance is a non-profit organisation that works closely with key partners to represent and promote Jersey, the forward-thinking offshore international finance centre (IFC).
We champion the competitive position of Jersey’s finance industry, both locally and internationally, supporting the highest regulatory standards and the most attractive products and services to suit the needs of global investors.
For African investors, Jersey offers the right environment to act as an investment gateway into the UK, European and global markets. By sourcing overseas capital securely and efficiently, Jersey’s IFC also plays a vital role in supporting economic growth and job creation in Africa. On average, between 2017 and 2020, Jersey’s IFC supported £6-billion of Africa’s total GDP and 916,000 jobs annually.
The Jersey Finance team looks forward to continue building connections with key partners in Africa and providing investors with opportunities to effect positive change and make a difference with their capital.
USAID INVEST Initiative
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment (USAID Mobilizing Investment) is a five-year program to promote inclusive economic growth and self-reliance in the Southern Africa region. The USAID Mobilizing Investment Program works with capital providers to support the ability of investors and funds to catalyze and mobilize private capital into sectors that can increase employment, decrease poverty and reduce inequality within the region.
USAID Mobilizing Investment has recently publicized its first Request for Concepts (RFC). The full RFC documentation is accessible on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/fJyGmuEYkH
Wi-Fi
USAID INVEST Initiative
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment (USAID Mobilizing Investment) is a five-year program to promote inclusive economic growth and self-reliance in the Southern Africa region. The USAID Mobilizing Investment Program works with capital providers to support the ability of investors and funds to catalyze and mobilize private capital into sectors that can increase employment, decrease poverty and reduce inequality within the region.
USAID Mobilizing Investment has recently publicized its first Request for Concepts (RFC). The full RFC documentation is accessible on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/fJyGmuEYkH
Institutional Investor Lunch
27four Investment Managers
27four is a leading financial services group steadfast in our commitment to creating long-term mutual value for our clients and society.
We are guided by a set of principles that always places the needs of our clients and communities first. We are constantly seeking new approaches and ideas to deliver future ready solutions.
- We think, consider, and do.
- We invest for the future.
- We change the game.
- We create value sustainably.
Our name reflects that momentous day South Africa’s democracy was born – 27 April 1994. Pregnant with potential and possibility, it is our constant reminder to contribute toward a future that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.
Refreshment Break
Bowmans
With over 500 lawyers, Bowmans delivers integrated legal services to clients throughout Africa from seven offices in five countries. Bowmans’ advice uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of local markets and an understanding of clients’ businesses. Clients include corporates, multinationals, funds, and financial institutions as well as state-owned enterprises and governments.
Conference PPE Pack
Ata Capital
Ata Capital is a leading private equity investment management firm that invests its own and its clients’ capital into private businesses. We are an active investor in building sustainable businesses that contribute to the growth and transformation of our economies. Ata Capital has a proud history of innovative approaches to risk management and problem-solving. We often leverage this track record to empower us to explore and maximise opportunities that others may overlook.
Coffee Bar
RealFin Fund Services
RealFin has been a trusted partner to some of SA’s leading alternative asset fund managers for more than a decade. We provide choice in the domestic alternative investment industry, by giving fund managers a complete service offering. Our clients range from larger industry players to smaller boutique fund managers.
In an ever-changing legislative environment, specialist skills are required to ensure compliance. RealFin’s bespoke structuring skills sets us apart from the rest, providing innovative solutions to our fund managers.
As a flexible fund administration company, we couple experienced teams with best-in-class software, to create admin solutions tailored to your needs.
Water
Twelve B Green Energy Fund
Launched by Grovest, the pioneers of Section 12J, Twelve B Green Energy Fund is the first private equity fund that entitles taxpayers (individuals, trusts, companies, pension funds) to invest in a portfolio of renewable energy-producing assets, and benefit from the SARS-approved enhanced 125% Section 12B tax allowance.
Fund 1: R200 million, first come first serve.
Email apply@twelveb.co.za to request the investor pack.
Meeting Pod
Baker McKenzie
Working alongside lawyers from across the Baker McKenzie network, our South Africa team advises governments, domestic and multinational companies, project sponsors, banks and other financial institutions on the full spectrum of legal issues and can deliver practical, innovative solutions that meet your legal and business needs.
ENSafrica
ENSafrica is Africa’s largest law firm, with offices in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa. We have deep expertise and the capacity to solve all your legal, tax, forensics and IP requirements, helping you to navigate regulatory hurdles – no matter where in Africa you do business.
Jersey Finance
Jersey Finance is a non-profit organisation that works closely with key partners to represent and promote Jersey, the forward-thinking offshore international finance centre (IFC). We champion the competitive position of Jersey’s finance industry, both locally and internationally, supporting the highest regulatory standards and the most attractive products and services to suit the needs of global investors.
USAID INVEST Initiative
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment
USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment (USAID Mobilizing Investment) is a five-year program to promote inclusive economic growth and self-reliance in the Southern Africa region. The USAID Mobilizing Investment Program works with capital providers to support the ability of investors and funds to catalyze and mobilize private capital into sectors that can increase employment, decrease poverty and reduce inequality within the region.
USAID Mobilizing Investment has recently publicized its first Request for Concepts (RFC). The full RFC documentation is accessible on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/fJyGmuEYkH
Webber Wentzel
Webber Wentzel provides in-depth legal and tax services throughout the continent. Our alliance with Linklaters and network of deep relationships with Africa’s leading firms allows us to draw on the highest quality and most business relevant pan-African advice - matching this to the needs of our clients. We have, over the last 50 years, worked on some of the most transformative and significant matters on the African continent.
Willis Towers Watson
Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets.
WTW’s M&A team brings a unique combination of risk expertise and a deep understanding of human capital and organisational culture to your deal. We draw from the experiences of more than 2,000 yearly global M&A and private equity transactions, to help our clients achieve both short- and long-term success. Given our volume, we generate significant leverage with the global M&A insurance market.
Verdant Capital
Verdant Capital is a leading investment bank and investment manager, operating on a Pan-African basis and specialising in private capital markets. We are authorised by the Financial Services Conduct Authority in South Africa (FSP44608) and licenced by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. We are a BaFin-registered AIFM and boast offices in Johannesburg, Ebene, Accra, Harare, Kinshasa, and Frankfurt.
We operate in more than 25 African countries and manage the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, which invests hybrid capital into inclusive financial institutions on a Pan-African basis.
Verdant Capital is the International Mergers and Acquisitions Partner (IMAP) for its region.
Delegate Bag Inserts
Ascension Capital
Ascension Capital Partners is a majority black-owned Private Equity Fund Manager based in South Africa. We look to invest in high-growth businesses which serve or enhance basic human needs (such as food security, healthcare, financial inclusion, energy, water and sanitation) with a strong emphasis on technology. Through our proprietary deal flow and experienced and passionate team, we have a unique value proposition for investors.
PE Front Office
The PE Front Office suite includes Deal Pipeline, Investment Management, Portfolio Monitoring, Investor Management, Investor Portal, Fund Administration supported by CRM, Reports & Analytics, Risk & Compliance, and Document Management. These solutions drive efficiency and transparency and help investment professionals make highly informed decisions.
RH Managers
RH Managers, FSP 44811, manages R3.5-billion in funds. Our private investment firm focuses on investing in healthcare infrastructure, providing accessible and affordable quality healthcare to the RSA population. We deliver support and enterprise development initiatives through dynamic, tailor-made, and practical business and entrepreneurship education across a spectrum of specialty healthcare projects and businesses.
Riscura
RisCura is an independent investment advisor and financial analytics provider offering investment decision support. The RisCura Alternative Investment Services Team has provided expert independent valuation services since 2009. We have been recognised as Africa’s leading risk manager and research provider at the annual Africa Global Funds Service Providers Awards since 2017. Through our Chartered Accountant Training Programme, we provide the only SAICA-accredited private equity training academy in South Africa.
Lanyards
Edge Growth
Who We Are
We are SME Development Solutionists
Co-creating innovative solutions that combat growth constraints and provide SMEs with market access, skills development, and funding.
We are architects of empowerment and transformation
Always progressing and proud of our own transformation journey, as well as supporting black-owned businesses and partners to drive job creation, for measurable and meaningful impact.
We are seasoned SME supporters
With more than 100 years of combined experience in investment, finance, management consulting and entrepreneurship experience.
We are proven impact venture and ESD experts
With an unmatched track record in designing and implementing solutions to scale small and growing businesses.
We are experienced fund managers
Who have deployed more capital to early-stage SMEs than any other non-governmental SME fund in South Africa.
Media Partners
Supporting Organisations
