Tech venture capital firm Silvertree Internet Holding has appointed former Reckitt Benckiser executive, Freddy Caspers, as chairman of the group as it looks to ramp up investment in 2017.<\/p>\n
Silvertree said it has recently reached the milestone of over $15 million (R200 million) channeled into African consumer-focused technology companies since inception in 2014.<\/p>\n
The portfolio has achieved an average 200% annual revenue growth, helped by fast-growing companies like car buying site, Carzar.co.za, and meal-kit delivery company ucook.co.za, it said.<\/p>\n
Silvertree said that a focus on three long-term value creation drivers – net revenue growth, margins and cash – enables the group\u2019s operations to reach break-even much earlier in their life-cycle.<\/p>\n
Caspers was previously one of the core team members behind Reckitt Benckiser, a London-listed fast-moving consumer goods company, serving as executive board member and CEO of emerging markets.<\/p>\n
He also currently works in Europe on large-cap deals as senior advisor for private equity firm, EQT. He is owner of a private equity investment vehicle holding various investments into small cap consumer goods, tech and healthcare ventures, mostly in Africa.<\/p>\n
Looking forward, Silvertree plans to invest over $10 million (R130 million) in the next 12 months into a new and existing portfolio of companies that make use of technology to reach consumers, with a focus on growth stage and buy-out opportunities.<\/p>\n
Based in Cape Town, the Silvertree portfolio includes 15 companies like\u00a0Cybercellar.com, Pricecheck.co.za, and Compareguru.co.za.<\/p>\n