Stocks & Strauss, a South African investment firm focused on early-stage companies emerging from local tertiary institutions and their alumni networks, has announced the final close of University Technology Fund II at ZAR400 million, equivalent to roughly $24 million. The close brings total capital across the firm's University Technology Fund platform to more than ZAR700 million, or roughly $42 million.
UTF II, announced in January 2025, drew investment from the SA SME Fund, Stellenbosch University, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, Sanlam, Fireball Capital, the Technology Innovation Agency, the University of Pretoria, Wits University and the University of Cape Town.
The platform now spans three funds. UTF I is fully deployed at ZAR230 million, or roughly $14 million. The UTF Seed Fund holds ZAR86 million, or roughly $5 million. UTF II adds ZAR400 million, or roughly $24 million. Together, the three funds let Stocks & Strauss invest in companies from formation and seed stage through early growth.
Stocks & Strauss invests in companies originating from South African tertiary institutions as well as businesses founded by alumni of those institutions, with a focus on ventures designed to scale beyond South Africa from the start.
Wayne Stocks, managing partner at Stocks & Strauss, described what the new fund enables:
"UTF II gives us the capital base to back more companies at the point where patient, specialist funding can make the greatest difference. South Africa's tertiary institutions are producing globally relevant technologies and founders. Our role is to help turn that potential into scalable companies that can compete internationally."
