Octoco Launches Yenza Venture Studio In Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch, South Africa – December 2024

Octoco is excited to announce the launch of Yenza Venture Studio, a Stellenbosch-based initiative designed to accelerate early-stage, tech-enabled startups. This milestone marks the culmination of a year-long effort to solidify South Africa’s position as a leading innovation hub in Africa and globally.

Over the past five years, Octoco has built and invested in the technology for 13 early-stage startups, with impressive results: 8 are now revenue-generating, and 4 have reached profitability. Building on this success, Yenza Venture Studio offers entrepreneurs a comprehensive platform of expertise and resources to transform bold ideas into thriving businesses.

“Our journey this past year has been about more than just refining our capabilities—it’s been about creating an ecosystem that empowers local innovation to thrive globally,” said Jacques Burger, COO of Octoco. “With Yenza, we’re uniting world-class venture-building resources with South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent to make a significant impact on both local and global markets.”

What Yenza Offers
Yenza Venture Studio provides a comprehensive suite of services to support builder-founders from ideation to market success:

  • Hardware Engineering & Product Development: From prototype to production, leveraging Octoco’s hardware expertise.

  • Software Engineering & Product Development: Custom software solutions for scalable and innovative applications.

  • IoT Engineering & Product Development: Cutting-edge IoT solutions for smart, connected systems.

  • CTO Support: Technical strategy and leadership to guide startups through early-stage challenges.

  • Financial and Legal Support: Assistance with accounting, compliance, and structuring to ensure operational stability.

  • Mentorship: Access to seasoned professionals offering guidance and strategic insights.

  • Capital: Access to venture capital investment as well as sweat equity contributions to accelerate growth.

Applications Open Now
The studio’s first cohort launches on 24 March 2025, and applications are now open for innovative builder-founders in search of early-stage support. Through Yenza, entrepreneurs will benefit not only from Octoco’s extensive expertise but also from its global investor networks and distribution partnerships, established throughout 2024. For more information and to apply, visit octoco.ltd.

About Octoco
Octoco is a leading engineering and technology firm specializing in hardware, software, and IoT product development. With a portfolio of subsidiaries and a strong track record of venture building, Octoco is committed to driving innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in South Africa and beyond.