Question 1

Who is Oakvale Invest?

Accepted Answer

Oakvale Invest is a R200 million family-backed fund investing in pre-seed AI companies built by young African founders. We were founded by Henrik Persson Ekdahl and are based in Franschhoek, South Africa. The name "Oakvale" is the English translation of "Ekdahl", a nod to the family roots of the fund.

Question 2

What does "family-backed" actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means our capital comes from one family, not from institutional LPs. We don't have a fund clock. We don't have quarterly pressure from outside investors. We can think in decades because no one is asking us to think in quarters.

Question 3

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

Val de Vie, Paarl, with working space for our founders in Cape Town CBD and at the Polo Offices in Val de Vie, Paarl.

Question 4

What's your check size?

Accepted Answer

We take it case by case. Always pre-seed, sized to what the company actually needs.

Question 5

What do you take in exchange?

Accepted Answer

We always take equity but the percentage is case by case. We agree terms with the founder based on what they need, never a fixed formula.

Question 6

What stage are you?

Accepted Answer

Pre-seed. You need at least an MVP or working prototype. Pre-revenue is fine. Early traction (users, signed letters of intent, anything proving the market wants what you're building) moves you up our list, but it isn't required.

Question 7

Who do you back?

Accepted Answer

African founders aged 18 to 25 building AI companies. At least one founder on the team must be African. Diaspora founders qualify if the company is being built for and from Africa.

Question 8

Which African countries?

Accepted Answer

Africa only - open to founders across the continent.

Question 9

How strict is the "AI" requirement?

Accepted Answer

Strict. AI has to be the core of what you're building, whether that's an AI B2B SaaS, an AI infrastructure company, or an AI-native product. We're not the right fund for companies where AI is a feature bolted onto something else.

Question 10

Do you want African market or international market?

Accepted Answer

We prefer founders building from Africa for the global market. African talent, global ambition.

Question 11

Do you lead rounds?

Accepted Answer

We prefer to be the sole investor at pre-seed, but we're happy to co-invest with other firms when it makes sense for the founder.

Question 12

How long does it take to get a decision?

Accepted Answer

Around two months from first conversation to wire. Investment decisions are made by our committee.

Question 13

What do you need to see from us?

Accepted Answer

A working MVP or prototype, a founder who's African and under 26, an AI-core product, and a clear sense of the international market you're going after. Beyond that, show us you've thought about how this becomes a real business, not just a clever idea.

Question 14

What's the best way to pitch you?

Accepted Answer

Reach out through the "apply" form on this site or directly to Herman or MJ. Tell us what you're building, who's building it, and what we'd see if we opened the product today.

Question 15

What happens in the first 90 days?

Accepted Answer

We get to know your business properly. We onboard you into Oakvale's network, give you access to our working spaces in Cape Town CBD and at the Polo Offices in Val de Vie, Paarl, and start meeting regularly so we understand what you actually need help with.

Question 16

How involved are you after the check clears?

Accepted Answer

We meet with every portfolio founder at least once a month and we have a seat on the board. We're not the kind of investor who disappears after the wire. We answer the phone.

Question 17

What do you actually help with?

Accepted Answer

Strategy, hiring, the next round, introductions, problems we've seen before. We've built companies. We've lost companies. We bring that pattern recognition into the room with you.

Question 18

What if my company starts to fail?

Accepted Answer

We do everything in our power to help you not get there. Stewardship over speculation isn't a slogan for us. It's how we behave when things get hard.

Question 19

Do you do follow-on investment?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no. Pre-seed is what we do - we don't lead later rounds.

Question 20

Then how do I raise my Series A?

Accepted Answer

We help you. When you're ready to raise, and when you decide you want to raise, we make introductions to a trusted network of Series A and B investors we've built relationships with. You're not obligated to take their money. You're not obligated to use our introductions at all. But if you want them, they're yours.

Question 21

Does the later-round help cost anything?

Accepted Answer

No. It's part of the deal. When you sign with us, you're signing on for the introductions, the network, and the support through your next two rounds. There's no advisory fee, no extra equity, no catch.

Question 22

Are there exceptions to the no-follow-on rule?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. If a portfolio company becomes a genuine standout, we'll consider participating in their next round. But founders should plan around the assumption that we don't.

Questions, honestly answered.

About Oakvale#

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