In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Gladwyn Leeuw discusses the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leeuw is the CEO of E Squared Investments \u2013 a position he has held since September 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before taking on his current role, he also served as the company\u2019s Chief Investment Officer, where he built an investment team that has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the investment ecosystem, risk management, market trends, and opportunities that translated into notable portfolio growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before joining E Squared Investments, Gladwyn was a General Partner at Kingson Capital \u2013 a South African-based venture capital investment firm – where he led post-investment management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leeuw has also worked in Anglo American\u2019s private investment arm \u2013 Zimele \u2013 and was a key member of the senior executive team at CCI South Africa \u2013 one of South Africa\u2019s largest international BPOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He holds a Master of Management degree in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management in the field of Business Administration, and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Economic Studies and International Relations from Wits Business School and Wits University respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this Business Talk interview, Leeuw begins by defining \u201cscaling with purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains what sets E Squared Investments apart in its approach to investing \u2013 including its industry-agnostic approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leeuw then reveals what this approach means for E Squared Investments\u2019 ability to be hands-on during and after the investment process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He discusses the use of a blended capital approach to investing \u2013 including the strategies that have worked best for E Squared Investments in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leeuw also shares some of the key findings in the recently published E Squared Investments Report \u2013 including how the organisation is investing significantly in black-woman-owned businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He then talks about responsible entrepreneurship \u2013 which entails simultaneously running a successful business and having a positive impact on society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leeuw concludes the discussion by sharing the one thing he would change about South Africa\u2019s investment landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch the full interview with Gladwyn Leeuw, below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n