About us
PoweredbyVC is a venture capital fund management and strategic consulting business.
It was established in 2010 by members of the South African venture capital division of HBD - a privately owned emerging market investment group founded by Mark Shuttleworth in 2000.
In terms of our fund management services, we continue the active management of HBD Venture Capital’s South African portfolio of investments. We are also in the process of raising additional Venture Capital funds from third party investors to manage in line with specified mandates.
Our strategic consulting services are aimed at:
- Existing and prospective stakeholders in the venture capital niche; and
- Early stage companies with high growth potential in need of strategic direction and commercialisation support.
PoweredbyVC is a licensed Financial Services Provider and a member of SAVCA.
Team
CEO: Eben van Heerden CA(SA)
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Eben completed his articles with Ernst & Young in 1995. After several more years in the profession, he was appointed to the strategic board of the holding company of amongst other the Windhoek Lager brands. During his tenure as board member he was instrumental in large scale finance transactions and key to the negotiation of various mergers and acquisitions that ultimately lead to the formation of Brandhouse in South Africa.
Eben joined the team of HBD just prior to the launch of its Fund2 in 2006. He was directly responsible for the negotiation and closing of each investment transaction and is still appointed to the board of directors of those investments. In 2010 he co-founded PoweredbyVC to continue building the VC industry in South Africa.
Outside of his career, Eben, who is an ardent follower of the teachings of Carl Jung, enjoys spending his time learning to play the piano, collecting and watching celebrated films, playing tennis and spoiling his Dalmatian and Beagle.
Executive Director: Keet van Zyl B.Acc ACMA MBA
Keet specialises in niche financial services and has worked at dynamic international companies such as Procter & Gamble and Investec. He was also responsible for structuring, funding and monitoring various private equity funds in the Southern African region before joining HBD Venture Capital. In 2010 he co-founded PoweredbyVC to continue building the VC industry in South Africa.
Keet is fascinated by the bubbles in Champagne as he celebrates life with his wife and two young daughters. He has a passion for water-skiing and in 2005 he became the first "Extreme Accounting" world champion by injecting the adrenaline rush of accounting into the everyday routine of extreme sports.