Dazzle Angels is the first
female focused
angels fund in South Africa
Our goal is to solve the radical gender inequality in early-stage investment management and deployment. We believe that 50% of early- stage funding should be managed by women, and invested into women owned or co-founded businesses.
Dazzle Angels
Dazzle Angels is a female focused angel fund, that is led and funded by experienced business women. Our angels not only invest their money, but also invest their time, skills and networks, which is where the real value lies. All of our angels are successful entrepreneurs or experts in their field, are passionate about building early-stage businesses, leveraging their skills and networks to help our Zebras build the next generation of female led businesses. We are looking for great businesses - businesses that solve a real problem, have a business model and will be sustainable - and happen to be founded or co-founded by at least one women, because we know (and stats show) that’s just better business. Our businesses seek to be Zebras* not unicorns, and equality for and empowering women is an integral part of their culture and DNA.
We want to be pioneers in the ways in which our future and economy can grow, by not only joining forces, but also in the way we encourage and uplift each other. Together, we can close the gender and diversity gap in entrepreneurship and venture funding.
Dazzle - a group of Zebras
We don’t want Unicorns, and we don’t believe that is what South Africa or Africa needs. We don’t want only one business in our portfolio to be a one hit wonder, but would rather have a whole group of great businesses, that are efficient, sustainable and display reliable growth in our portfolio. These zebras, in a collective form, are known as a dazzle. Our mission is ultimately to connect our Angels with a dazzle of sustainable, inclusive and community focused zebras which they can actively work with.
Why zebras?
- Zebras are real, unicorns are mythical
- Zebras are also mutualistic: by banding together in groups, they protect and preserve one another. Their individual input results in stronger collective output.
- Zebra companies are both black and white: they are profitable and improve society. They won’t sacrifice one for the other.
- Zebra companies are built with peerless stamina and capital efficiency, as long as conditions allow them to survive.
Reference: https://medium.com/@sexandstartups/zebrasfix-c467e55f9d96
Our Mission
Generate inclusive funding for early-stage, women led and women empowering businesses.
Our Vision
By women, for women, empowering women.
What does success look like?
A vibrant community of female angel investors in South Africa. More female founded businesses that are being funded at early stage. We are looking for financial success; to improve society and to close the gender gap in the investment space. Ultimately we would like to see the women that we invest in, become investors in their own right.
About Us
Dazzle Angels was created by collaborators Alexandra Fraser, Adi Zuk, Lee Zuk and Charlotte Luzuka to close the gap of around inequality of fund management and investment.
Alexandra Fraser is the founder and director of Fraser Consulting. Alexandra has over 15 years experience in the early-stage investment industry and has worked with various investors, start-up support organisations and entrepreneurs. Well renowned for her expertise in strategy, business modeling and fundraising - she has also been involved in developing entrepreneurial networks and ecosystems. She is also a founding member of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) and an advisor to South African Business Angel Network (SABAN).
Adi Zuk, with her multiple entrepreneurial successes under her belt, most notably JAG Method in Johannesburg, understands the challenges of inclusive business ownership and leadership. With her help as co-founder, she was able to contribute to the success of JAG Method as one of South Africa’s leading lead generation companies. From JAG Method, the JAG Group was born, where she is still heavily involved with strategic decision-making and identifying growth opportunities.
Lee Zuk, with her extensive business knowledge attained through her completion of an MBA at GIBS is the other half of the sisterly partnership and became involved with JAG Method at a later stage. Qualified as a lawyer, she worked her way up in the company while completing her studies at GIBS and is currently COO of JAG Group.
Charlotte Luzuka is an East African born in Lesotho and raised in South Africa. She has worked in a wide variety of industries, ranging from land transportation and public health, to development finance and telematics. She has an MBA from GIBS and through Dazzle, she wants to help increase the number of female investors on the African continent, whilst helping to build and support female founded and female focused businesses. She is also writing her first novel and is an active member of Toastmasters.
Get in touch
Get in touch if you are a woman in Africa with a growing business and you need to connect to other like-minded businesses or if you simply want to be part of Africa’s biggest network of female entrepreneurs.
info@dazzleangels.com
1st Floor Atholl Square
Wierda Road East
Sandton, ZA
Sign up as an Angel
To apply to be an Angel you need to meet the basic criteria:
- Have R 125 000 to contribute over 2 years
- Have capacity to mentor potential zebras through time, resources and experience
- To have work experience that could help benefit female entrepreneurs
Angel Investor applicants should complete the Angel Application form.
Sign up as a Zebra
To apply to be a Zebra you need to meet the basic criteria:
- Registered company
- At least one female founder
- Seeking early stage funding i.e. not more than R 500 000
- Tech-enabled business
- A clear business model
Zebra applicants should complete the Zebra Application form and send a two page summary of their business to info@dazzleangels.com.