According to Olivia Rusch’s 2019 study on Female Entrepreneurship, “only 9% of South African women are involved in early-stage entrepreneurial activity,” this is a statistic that new kid on the private equity funding block, Khula Lula has set their sights on changing.
South Africa’s first solely black-woman-owned private equity fund for underrepresented tech startups, Khula Lula has officially launched. The micro-financing VC, Khula Lula has also just made its first angel investment of R200 000 into Native Nylon, an upcoming fashion eCommerce startup.
Founded by Milisa Mabinza, a University of Johannesburg alumni, the new kid on the private equity funding block aims to address the existing gap of South African women involved in early-stage entrepreneurial activity, by bolstering female entrepreneurship and underrepresented tech startups.
In an official press release, Mabinza points out that Khula Lula’s focal point is black women founded tech startups.
“It has been important for me to pursue this path because we need more catalysts for change in the venture capital landscape, who are actively prioritizing the funding of black women founders.”
In addition, the new VC microfinancing fund will address the disproportionate capital funding opportunities available to young black women-led start-ups in the tech field.
Mabiza explains that Khula Lula aims to address the existing challenges faced by black entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs in securing funding.
“We cannot build on what is already broken, I think the only way to truly revolutionize the private equity landscape is by tearing down the systems that excluded us for the longest period and build new ones on our own terms. This is why I have been fearless at defying the status quo by creating a microfinancing angel and venture capital fund for black women funding black women. Because we need funding structures that are for us by us. And that means changing the models and metrics of existing models to fit our needs, our ecosystems, and our ability to scale. If Khula Lula could achieve this with just one business we fund, then that would be my most fulfilling work.”
Native Nylon
As the first official investment for Khula Lula, Native Nylon, founded by black female entrepreneur, Portia Dhlamini, is expected to launch in November 2020.
The new micro-financing VC fund will work closely with the black woman-owned tech startup as Native Nylon launches into the online retail market.
Providing funding to black-owned tech startups is not the only priority for Khula Lula as it also focuses on ensuring that their investee’s businesses successfully enter the market and generate consistent revenue.
