Hlayisani Capital Hits USD 30 M First Close For Venture Fund II

Hlayisani Capital has reached a ZAR 500 M (USD 30 M) first close for its second vehicle, Hlayisani Venture Fund II (HVF II), anchored by the Public Investment Corporation and the SA SME Fund.

Founded in 2016, Hlayisani focuses on scaling technology-enabled South African businesses and now manages over R1bn across three funds.

HVF II targets Series A-stage companies in AI, fintech, healthtech, edtech, and digital infrastructure, addressing a critical growth-capital gap in the local ecosystem.

The fund has already invested in Tractor Outdoor Media, Spatialedge, and Cogitait AI. Final close is expected by June 2026 as institutional appetite for venture capital continues to deepen in South Africa.