Seven high-potential South African startups have been selected to participate in the prestigious Grindstone | E Squared Programme, a six-month initiative designed to accelerate the growth of businesses backed by Allan Gray Fellows and Pathways Investees. This founder-focused journey, which commenced in July with an in-person networking event in Johannesburg, is a collaborative effort between Grindstone, a venture accelerator co-owned by Knife Capital and Thinkroom Limited, and E Squared Investments.

The chosen startups represent a diverse array of sectors, including software, ed-tech, e-health, logistics, and food. The cohort includes African Saga, which specializes in comic and anime series on Webtoon; Muna Studios, focusing on zero-waste shopping; Glo’s Cookies, offering premium artisanal cookies; Genius UP, an ed-tech platform for exam preparation; Docotela Health, a telehealth platform; SUTA National Logistics, providing delivery and moving services; and Fleetfund, a logistics platform for fleet financing.

Participants in the programme will benefit from comprehensive support, including access to the Grindstone Academy digital platform, specialized workshops, tailored coaching, and crucial investor-readiness assistance. Additionally, the programme is structured to provide bespoke interventions aimed at unlocking market access and facilitating introductions to potential investors, fostering an environment conducive to significant growth.

This initiative addresses a critical challenge within South Africa’s startup ecosystem, which, despite steady growth over the past decade, often struggles with scaling businesses. While South Africa attracted a substantial $440 million in venture funding in 2024, ranking third in Africa according to Partech’s Africa Tech Venture Capital Report, many early-stage ventures face hurdles in reaching growth stages due to limited access to essential networks, structured mentorship, and investor preparation.

Grindstone, established in 2013, has cemented its reputation as one of South Africa’s leading accelerators, known for its focus on measurable growth engineering for startups. Its partnership with E Squared, the impact investment arm linked to Allan Gray, merges venture acceleration expertise with purpose-driven capital. The programme’s objective is to support entrepreneurs who are committed to both profitability and positive impact, with the ambition that this cohort will demonstrate how structured support and access to capital markets can empower South African startups to evolve from local ventures into significant regional players capable of thriving across Africa’s dynamic innovation landscape.