SA startups can start applying for the latest edition of Grindstone accelerator

Grindstone, a South African business accelerator that provides selected companies with access to a structured entrepreneurship development program, is now accepting applications.

The Grindstone Accelerator is a structured entrepreneurial development program co-owned by VC fund manager Knife Capital and Thinkroom Consulting, with primary funding from the SA SME Fund.

Grindstone Ventures, a ZAR100 million (US$6.5 million) fund dedicated to investing primarily in entrepreneurs who have completed or are enrolled in the accelerator program, was recently spun out.

“Almost a decade of growing businesses has resulted in an impressive alumni that has raised just under two billion rand in venture capital and exits,” said Will Green, program director of Grindstone, which fast-tracks innovative businesses and is looking for 24 of South Africa’s most innovative and fastest-growing tech companies to join its program.

Grindstone guides proven South African SMEs through a year-long review of their strategies and gaps.

“Grindstone experts provide these technology companies with all of the necessary support to lay the groundwork for growth, allowing them to become more investable, sustainable, marketable, and exit-ready,” Green said.

The SA SME Fund, Absa, Deloitte, Google for Startups, AWS, Microsoft for Startups, and Webber Wentzel are among Grindstone’s partners.

“We’ve been able to make a real difference together by knitting together a robust community of enterprises, entrepreneurs, and innovators into a robust ecosystem that is actively committed to growing talented entrepreneurs and their businesses,” Green said.

“A special mention must go to the SA SME Fund, without whose support Grindstone and Grindstone Ventures would not have had the seeding and growth we have seen as we accelerate into VC as an asset class.”

Applications are open until April 30 and can be found here.