South African investment firm Stocks & Strauss has announced the final close of the University Technology Fund II at ZAR400 million (US$24 million), taking total capital across its university-linked early-stage investment platform to more than ZAR700 million (US$42 million) and deepening a dedicated pathway for commercialising innovation emerging from tertiary institutions.
Stocks & Strauss is an investment firm focused on early-stage companies in South Africa, with an emphasis on businesses emerging from local tertiary institutions and their alumni networks. Through the University Technology Fund platform, the firm invests across seed and early growth stages.Investors in UTF II, announced in January 2025, include the SA SME Fund, Stellenbosch University, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, Sanlam, Fireball Capital, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the University of Pretoria, Wits University and the University of Cape Town.
The platform now spans UTF I, fully deployed at ZAR230 million (US$14 million), the UTF Seed Fund at ZAR86 million (US$5 million), and UTF II at ZAR400 million (US$24 million). Together, the funds give Stocks & Strauss the ability to support companies from formation and seed stage through to early growth.
Stocks & Strauss focuses on companies originating from local tertiary institutions, as well as businesses founded by alumni of those institutions. The platform is designed to support ventures with the potential to scale beyond South Africa from the outset.
“UTF II gives us the capital base to back more companies at the point where patient, specialist funding can make the greatest difference,” said Wayne Stocks, managing partner at Stocks & Strauss. “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.”