Strategy and support for South African startups
Ready to take your business international? We are a non-profit consultancy that helps South African startup companies and entrepreneurs enter the US market and tap into US angel and VC funding. Startups must meet the SA Connect criteria to apply for assistance.
Our Services
Market exploration
SA Connect can assist with market exploration, customer introductions and go-to-market initiatives
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Open a virtual office
Establish a US presence by creating a
C-corporation or LLC. SA Connect provides low cost resources for incorporation and a physical address in Austin TX.
Advisory role
SA Connect can provide an advisory role on expanding into the US market, pitfalls, strategic direction and market fit
Accelerators
Introduction to local Austin accelerators like Capital Factory - The center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas
Angel Investors
SA Connect can provide guidance to pitch to Texas Angel networks for post seed investment
VC investment
Already have customers and revenue and ready for A round VC investment? SA Connect can make introductions to local and Silicon Valley VCs
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Criteria to apply
1
Have a compelling product or service with worldwide potential
2
Have been in business for at least 1 year
3
Have more than $500K in funding
4
Have more than 10 paying customers
5
Have more than $100K in revenue in the past 12 months
About SA Connect
SA Connect is a non-profit consultancy based in Austin Texas. SA Connect's mission is to assist South African startups to get access to accelerators and funding to expand internationally
Kobus Marneweck
I bring a unique perspective on the challenges South African startups face when trying to expand internationally. In the early 1990s I developed Keeloq at Nanoteq , the first encrypted keyless entry system for the automotive industry. I relocated to the USA to promote and support Keeloq and due to the success of the product Nanoteq became Microchip Technology's first acquisition on 1995.
After leaving Microchip in 2006, I spent 4 years at Texas Instruments as a Director of Software. In 2011 I opened a US office for Azoteq, a South African semiconductor startup in Austin Texas and grew the US presence through marketing, local support and distribution.
In 2015 I founded my own software startup Cingo and got into the Capital Factory and the UT Texas Venture labs accelerators. As founder of Cingo I pitched to several Angel organizations and VCs.
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I spent the last 4 years of my career ar Arm, the processor technology used in 100% of the world's smartphones, tablet and also now in the Macbook computers from Apple.
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After retiring from Arm I decided to found SAConnect to give back and support South African startups to grow their business in the USA and worldwide.
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