A Collective of
Ecosystem players
Working Together for a
Better Future
We are a collective that represents the South African entrepreneurship ecosystem, which includes investors, incubators, accelerators, and founders, uniting to support growth within the country by encouraging the development of policy that will benefit high growth startup entrepreneurs. We believe that South Africa needs a Startup Act in its legislation.
The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is a group of people passionate about the vision of having a Startup Act in South Africa. They bring to the table their expertise in the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem and assist in guiding the process toward the actualization of a Startup Act in South Africa. The companies and individuals are reflected on this page, with their resumes or profiles.
Alison Collier
Managing Director | Endeavor South Africa
​Alison has close to 20 yrs of experience in Strategy & Business Development roles in Africa, Europe & Asia.
She has first-hand experience in establishing global offices for multi-national companies, expanding start-ups from South Africa into the global markets and raising capital to finance growth.
Matsi Modise
Vice-Chairperson | SiMODiSA
Founding CEO of Furaha Afrika Holdings, Matsi is on a mission to contribute to Africa’s skills revolution and boost South African entrepreneurs.
She sits on several boards and is
Vice-Chairperson of SiMODiSA, non-executive Director of Innovation Hub.
Aalia Manie
Head of Webber Wentzel Fusion
Currently leading the Legal Technology and NewLaw division of a top-tier law firm, she is passionate about delivering innovative, client-centric solutions tailored for the African context.
With a varied background as a lawyer, entrepreneur, artist, lobbyist, and former tech COO, her diverse experiences enhance her approach to human-centered innovation across business, technology, and law.
Driven by the belief that every challenge is an opportunity for creative problem-solving, she strives to make a lasting, positive impact in every venture she undertakes.
Anthony William Catt
Founder | Ventures 54
Anthony has a decade of experience in startup ecosystem building and investment across EMEA, Anthony is the founder of Ventures 54, a Pan-African advisory firm focused on mobilizing global investors and capital into the African tech ecosystem. He supports government institutions, DFIs, venture capital funds, and ecosystem support organizations between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Anthony also co-founded the London Africa Network, the UK’s largest community for leaders in the UK-Africa tech, startup, and investment corridor.
Sanjay Soni
Executive/Ecosystem lead | Jozi Angels
​Sanjay is an accomplished entrepreneur, business strategist, chartered accountant, investor and board member, having founded/co-founded over 10 start-up enterprises. He has 25 years’ professional experience working across a multitude of sectors
Elize Hattingh
Founder | Green Economy Academy
Elize has over 15 years of experience advancing the Sustainable Development agenda as a researcher and business development consultant. She holds an MPhil in Sustainable Development, Planning, and Management.
Passionate about #BuildingBackBetterGreener, Elize works with marginalized groups, women, and youth, providing capacity building to help them access opportunities in the green economy.
Christophe Viarnaud
Co-Founder & Chairman | Methys
Cape Town-based Serial entrepreneur and early-stage investor. Passionate about Technology, Systems Thinking, Energy sustainability, Media, and Education.
Blanca Ribas Pombo
Managing partner | Nomadic Minds
Blanca Ribas Pombo is the managing partner of Nomadic Minds, bringing over 7 years of experience in investment banking and venture capital. She holds a degree in Economics and International Relations from LSE, as well as from McGill University. Additionally, she earned a Master's degree from UNAV. Blanca's career includes roles as an investment banker with BNP Paribas CIB in London and PwC in Spain. She also gained significant expertise in emerging markets while working for the Silicon Valley and Africa teams at Plug and Play Ventures.
Russell Brueton
Head of Strategic Projects | WESGRO
Russel is the Head of Strategic Projects at Wesgro – Cape Town and the Western Cape’s Official Tourism, Trade & Investment Promotion Agency. As a proudly South African agency, Wesgro attracts and facilitates investment, grows the export of products and services, and markets the Western Cape as a competitive business and travel destination.
Russel is focused on enabling the region’s innovation with an emphasis on increasing Venture Capital flows. He also works closely with Wesgro’s established Advocacy and Advisory capacity, as well as the Agency’s technology desk.
Adrian Dommisse
Founder and Director | Dommisse Attorney's Inc
Motivated by a passion for unravelling intricate legal matters, he harnessed diverse experiences in law firms and financial institutions to make significant contributions to South Africa's tech sector. Standout roles include being the lead attorney for Yuppiechef's acquisition by Mr Price Group and playing a key role in establishing a $20 million venture capital fund for Imperial Global.
His true dedication lies in empowering South African tech companies. In 2022, he founded IP Incubator to assist clients in attracting offshore funding and strategically managing intellectual property for global success, overcoming challenges posed by exchange controls.
Safeera Mayet
Head of Policy and Regulatory affairs | SAVCA
Safeera is an admitted attorney and brings over two decades of providing services encompassing corporate and commercial law, financial structuring, international law, risk management, corporate finance, competition law, and company secretarial guidance. She previously held senior management roles in Tiso Group, Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Tiso Blackstar Group, Idwala Industrial Holdings and Tiso Investment Holdings.
CEO | Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy South Africa
Zimkhitha Peter
Zimkhitha joined AGGPSA as the CEO in 2020, and has led the pursuit to foster collaboration across the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropic ecosystem to address unemployment and poverty by supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in its countries of operation.
Join the Movement
By joining the Startup Act movement, you will be helping us drive awareness for the development of policy that encourages the growth and development of innovative and high-growth enterprises in South Africa. As a cornerstone of our country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Startup Act will play a key role in supporting South Africa’s high-growth entrepreneurs and people and will in turn encourage job creation and socio-economic development.
Sponsors
Partners
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