Hlayisani Capital has officially launched Hlayisani Venture Fund II (HVF II), securing initial commitments of R500 million (approximately US$31 million).
The fund, announced in February 2026, is anchored by major institutional investors, including the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the SA SME Fund, with additional participation from private investors and family offices.
The fund is targeting a final close by June 2026 as fundraising continues. HVF II focuses on Series A-stage companies that have achieved product-market fit and are prepared for accelerated, scalable growth.
The strategy prioritises technology-driven businesses with demonstrated commercial traction, advanced capabilities, and strong potential for regional or global expansion.
Investment Focus and Sector Priorities
HVF II targets Series A investments in companies that exhibit:
- Proven product-market fit with paying customers and repeatable revenue models.
- Advanced technological differentiation or proprietary capabilities.
- Clear scalability pathways, including regional expansion or global market potential.
- Strong founding teams capable of executing at pace in competitive environments.
The fund allocates capital across five priority sectors:
- Artificial Intelligence: Platforms and applications delivering operational intelligence, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
- Fintech: Solutions enhancing financial access, efficiency, inclusion, or infrastructure.
- Healthtech: Technologies improving healthcare delivery, diagnostics, patient outcomes, or operational efficiency.
- Edtech: Platforms supporting learning, skills development, and education delivery at scale.
- Digital Infrastructure: Foundational technologies enabling connectivity, data processing, cloud services, or secure digital ecosystems.
These sectors reflect high-growth areas where South African companies can address local and regional challenges while building globally competitive solutions.
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Early Deployments and Portfolio Progress
Despite remaining in its fundraising phase, HVF II has already deployed capital into three technology companies:
- Tractor Outdoor Media: Modernising outdoor advertising through digital, data-driven infrastructure that enables precise targeting, real-time campaign optimisation, and measurable performance analytics.
- Spatialedge An enterprise AI provider equipping consumer-facing businesses with tools to make faster, data-informed decisions, improving operational efficiency and profitability for large retail operators and other enterprise clients.
- Cogitait AI is a rapidly growing AI solutions company developing advanced platforms that enhance operational intelligence and drive automation across industries.
These initial investments demonstrate HVF II’s focus on scalable, technology-enabled businesses with strong unit economics and clear paths to category leadership.
Institutional Support and Market Positioning
The fund’s anchor commitments from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the SA SME Fund provide strong institutional validation.
The PIC, as South Africa’s state-owned asset manager, brings long-term capital and alignment with national development priorities.
The SA SME Fund reinforces focus on enterprise growth, job creation, and economic inclusion.
Additional participation from private investors and family offices broadens the investor base and reflects growing confidence in South Africa’s venture capital ecosystem.
Hlayisani Capital now manages over R1 billion (approximately US$62 million) across three funds, establishing itself as a consistent supporter of scalable, technology-driven businesses rooted in South Africa but positioned for regional and global expansion.
Future Outlook
Hlayisani Capital’s launch of Hlayisani Venture Fund II, with initial commitments of R500 million anchored by the Public Investment Corporation and the SA SME Fund, strengthens the availability of Series A capital for high-potential technology companies in South Africa.
The fund’s early deployments into Tractor Outdoor Media, Spatialedge, and Cogitait AI demonstrate a clear strategy of backing businesses with proven traction and scalable models in artificial intelligence, fintech, healthtech, edtech, and digital infrastructure.
HVF II is targeting a final close by June 2026, positioning Hlayisani to continue playing a key role in South Africa’s technology ecosystem.
For the most current details on fund progress, investment criteria, or portfolio developments, refer to official announcements from Hlayisani Capital.
Hlayisani Capital Overview
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Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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