10 Early-Stage South African Funds for Health Startups

FemImpact Africa
Apr 7
4 min read

The healthcare sector in South Africa is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, driven by innovative startups that are addressing a wide range of challenges—from improving access to affordable healthcare to expanding digital health solutions.

With healthcare demand increasing and technology becoming an essential tool in overcoming systemic inefficiencies, early-stage funding for health startups has never been more vital.

In this article, we focus on 10 early-stage venture capital (VC) firms, angel investors, and funds in South Africa that back early-stage healthcare startups and are committed to supporting entrepreneurs build innovative solutions that aim to transform healthcare delivery, access, and services across the country, continent and even further afield.

1. 4Di Capital

4Di Capital is a South African venture capital firm known for supporting early-stage startups in technology and healthcare. They focus on high-growth, disruptive health tech startups that aim to address access to healthcare, digitizing medical solutions, and providing better healthcare outcomes. With a strong network and active involvement, 4Di is an excellent partner for health entrepreneurs looking to scale quickly.

Focus Areas: Health tech, digital health, telemedicine, healthcare access.
Funding Range: R2 million to R10 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: 4Dicapital.com

2. 54 Collective

54 Collective is a South African venture capital and angel investment network that focuses on early-stage investments in innovative sectors, including healthcare. They have a keen interest in health tech startups, particularly those that are developing solutions for healthcare access, digital health, and improving health outcomes in underserved communities across South Africa.

Focus Areas: Health tech, digital health platforms, healthcare services.
Funding Range: R500,000 to R5 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: 54collective.co.za

3. CRE Venture Capital

CRE Venture Capital focuses on supporting disruptive innovations in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and education. They back entrepreneurs who are solving fundamental problems in healthcare, such as access to affordable services, improving healthcare delivery, and leveraging technology to optimize health outcomes.

Focus Areas: Health tech, telemedicine, medical devices, affordable healthcare.
Funding Range: $500,000 to $2 million.
Stage: Seed to early-stage.
Website: cre.vc

4. Knife Capital

Knife Capital is a South African-based venture capital firm that invests in high-growth, technology-driven startups, particularly in healthcare and digital health sectors. They focus on startups that use technology to scale and address critical challenges in the healthcare system, from chronic disease management to improving healthcare infrastructure.

Focus Areas: Health tech, medical devices, telemedicine.
Funding Range: R3 million to R20 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: knifecapital.com

5. HAVAÍC

HAVAÍC is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies with disruptive technologies in sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture. They focus on startups that are improving healthcare delivery, providing digital health solutions, or tackling public health issues through innovation and technology.

Focus Areas: Digital health, telemedicine, health tech, healthcare services.
Funding Range: R5 million to R20 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: havaic.com

6. Invenfin

Invenfin is a venture capital firm based in Cape Town, with a strong focus on early-stage investments in healthcare, technology, and consumer products. They look for startups that use technology to solve healthcare challenges, particularly those in affordable healthcare access and healthcare innovation for underserved populations.

Focus Areas: Health tech, digital health, medical devices.
Funding Range: R5 million to R30 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: invenfin.com

7. Flamingo Capital Partners

Flamingo Capital Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on innovative solutions across sectors like healthcare, fintech, and energy. They are particularly interested in health startups that offer scalable solutions, such as telemedicine platforms, medical apps, and healthcare access solutions.

Focus Areas: Telemedicine, health tech, medical devices.
Funding Range: R1 million to R5 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: flamingocapitalpartners.com

8.Kalon Venture Partners

Kalon Venture Partners is a South African venture capital firm that focuses on investing in technology-driven startups, with a strong emphasis on health tech and digital health solutions. They are particularly interested in startups that leverage technology to improve healthcare delivery, accessibility, and efficiency.

Focus Areas: Health tech, digital health, health data solutions, telemedicine.
Funding Range: R5 million to R20 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: kalonvp.com

9. Dazzle Angels

Dazzle Angels is an all-female angel investment network in South Africa that focuses on impact-driven startups, particularly in healthcare. They support businesses that are addressing issues like women's health, maternal health, child health, and healthcare access using innovative approaches and technology.

Focus Areas: Women’s health, maternal and child health, digital health.
Funding Range: R500,000 to R5 million.
Stage: Seed to Series A.
Website: dazzleangels.co.za

10. Jozi Angels

Jozi Angels is an angel investment network that invests in early-stage startups with strong growth potential in sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. They are particularly interested in startups that are leveraging technology to create healthcare solutions with measurable social impact, including health data and telemedicine services.

Focus Areas: Tech and non-tech solutions across multiple sectors
Funding Range: R250,000 to R5 million.
Stage: Seed to early-stage.
Website: joziangels.co.za

Accessing Capital

South Africa is becoming a hotbed for healthcare innovation, and with these 10 early-stage funds and investors, health startups now have the opportunity to access the capital, mentorship, and networks they need to scale. Whether you're developing digital health solutions, improving healthcare access, or creating medical technologies, these funds are equipped to help you build a successful, sustainable business that can improve health outcomes for communities across South Africa and beyond.