Stocks & Strauss, a South African investment firm, announced the final close of the University Technology Fund II at ZAR400 million (US$24 million), bringing 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 a South African investment firm that focuses on early-stage firms, particularly those originating from local university institutions and alumni networks. The University Technology Fund platform allows the firm to invest in the seed and early growth stages.
Investors in UTF II, which was 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 includes UTF I, which is 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 enable Stocks & Strauss to support businesses from inception and seed stage to early growth.
Stocks & Strauss focuses on enterprises that emerge from local tertiary institutions, as well as businesses formed by alumni of those institutions. The platform is intended to support companies with the potential to expand beyond South Africa from the start.
“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.”
