South Africa’s VC sector withers

South African startups netted just $85 million in investment in the first half of 2024, down from $459 million in the same period in 2023.

Business

Stephen Timm

Crowdfunding: a dream deferred

Crowdfunding is a tough game and has failed to gain traction in South Africa.

Innovation

Stephen Timm

End of the kumbaya days

It’s been a rough few weeks for the venture capital (VC) industry. Is this the end of the ‘growth-at-all-costs’ model?

Business

Stephen Timm

Through the looking glass

How a small observatory outside Bloemfontein played an important part in the history of astronomy.

Innovation

Stephen Timm

Lots of research, little development

Could South Africa be running out of steam when it comes to turning out grand innovations?

Innovation

Stephen Timm

Academic commercialisation

Universities are a vital source of research and innovation, but how is the country faring in monetising academic work?

Technology

Stephen Timm

Gambling’s new model

While still technically illegal, a loophole means the world of gambling in South Africa is now moving online.

Technology

Stephen Timm

To infinity and beyond

The Earth’s first long distance space exploration mission started 45 years ago and it’s still going on.

Technology

Stephen Timm

Startup moneymakers

What sort of wealth can be created by founders when selling their startups?

Innovation

Stephen Timm

No country for remote workers

SA’s slow action on making it easier for foreign remote workers to stay for longer means losing out on international spending.

Business

Stephen Timm

A sour taste

After a protracted legal battle, it’s still not clear whether government’s Technology Innovation Agency will ever see anywhere close to the sum it was expecting for investment in a multimillion-dollar biotech startup.

Innovation

Stephen Timm

SA startups getting snapped up

South Africa’s startup scene is showing signs of maturity as investments and acquisitions become increasingly common.

Innovation

Stephen Timm