Savca issues call to black and women fund managers for new training programme

Black as well as women fund managers looking to get a step up in the venture capital and private equity sector must hurry.

Applications for the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Savca) Fund Manager Development Programme close next Monday (19 August).

The inaugural 12-month programme is an initiative of Savca, FNB and the SA SME Fund.

The programme aims to support the growth of black as well as women fund managers through classroom-based teaching, one-on-one coaching, and support from industry stakeholders, ultimately with the aim of helping to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Savca has partnered with FNB and the SA SME Fund on the Fund Manager Development Programme

While applications will close on 19 August, Savca said on its website that applicants can expect to receive feedback by 2 September.

Thereafter, shortlisted applicants will be required to avail themselves for one-on-one presentations with the Savca Fund Manager Development Programme selection panel in the week of 16 September.

Those selected to participate in the programme will be notified in the week of 23 September.

Savca said in a statement last month that preference will be given to black persons, followed by women, that:

• Are early developing venture capital or private equity fund managers with an existing investment thesis, and who are in the process of raising a fund, or are close to, or are at “first close”.
• Have an investment company that has an annual turnover of below R50-million

Savca and its partners will cover any costs directly associated with participation pertaining to classroom-based teaching, one-on-one coaching, and or mentoring that forms part of the programme.

However, any indirect costs associated with the programme — including but not limited to travel and accommodation — will be borne by participants.

Learn more about the programmes objectives here (opens as PDF) or contact programme manager Melanie de Nysschen on 011 268 0041 or melanie@savca.co.za

Featured image: WOCinTech Chat via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)