University Technology Fund II Launches With $21M Target for Innovation
TLDR
- Stocks & Strauss Fund Manager has launched University Technology Fund II (UTF II) with a $21.4 million target
- The fund will invest in 15 to 20 companies, focusing on scalable university-originated technologies
- Anchor investors include the SA SME Fund, Stellenbosch University, and Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies Africa
Stocks & Strauss Fund Manager has launched University Technology Fund II (UTF II), securing key agreements and committing significant capital toward its ZAR400 million ($21.4 million) target. The fund will invest in 15 to 20 companies, focusing on scalable university-originated technologies.
Building on UTF I, which backed Hyrax Biosciences (a bioinformatics leader in COVID-19 variant detection) and CubeSpace (a NASA-trusted satellite control tech), UTF II expands its mandate to include South African university alumni. The goal is to replicate Silicon Valley’s university-driven innovation ecosystem.
Anchor investors include the SA SME Fund, Stellenbosch University, and Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies Africa, as well as the University of Pretoria, UCT, and WITS. UTF II seeks to commercialize cutting-edge intellectual property and attract local and global investment.
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Key Takeaways
South Africa’s university innovation sector is emerging as a deep-tech investment hotspot, with UTF II unlocking high-value intellectual property from leading research institutions. Universities offer skilled talent, cross-discipline expertise, and institutional support, making them ideal incubators for disruptive technologies. The fund’s expansion to alumni-led startups strengthens its long-term entrepreneurial ecosystem. UTF II’s success could drive local and international investor interest, positioning South Africa’s universities as key players in global technology commercialization.
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