Grindstone

Profile

Grindstone is an entrepreneurship development program based in South Africa, focusing on high-growth, innovation-driven companies. Co-owned by Knife Capital and Thinkroom Limited, Grindstone operates with a mission to scale businesses quickly by providing the necessary foundational elements. Their team works closely with entrepreneurs, leveraging partnerships with organizations like the SA SME Fund, Google for Startups, and Microsoft for Startups to assist companies in becoming more sustainable and fundable.

Grindstone invests across a variety of sectors including Technology, Internet and Web Services, Business Services (B2B), and Consumer Services (B2C). They focus on early-stage startups, typically at the Seed and Series A stages, primarily within the African continent. Grindstone's programs are designed to cater to diverse business needs, employing varied service lines such as the Grindstone Accelerator and Ventures initiatives.

Notable companies in Grindstone's portfolio include Payfast - an online payment gateway, DataEQ - a data analytics firm, and Sea Monster - a digital storytelling studio. Their approach has seen numerous successes, demonstrating their ability to nurture businesses through mentorship and strategic partnerships.