Early-stage companies investment firm Stocks & Strauss has reached final close of the R400-million University Technology Fund (UTF) II.
The close raises the total capital across its university-linked early-stage investment platform to more than R700-million and deepens a dedicated pathway for commercialising innovation emerging from tertiary institutions, the company says.
Universities and their alumni networks are increasingly being recognised as critical sources of investable technology, intellectual property and high-growth company formation in South Africa, it points out.
The firm's platform now spans UTF I, fully deployed at R230-million; the UTF Seed Fund at R86-million; and UTF II at R400-million. These enable Stocks & Strauss to support companies from formation and seed stage through to early growth.
The platform is designed to support ventures with the potential to scale beyond South Africa from the outset.
