South Africa is a country whose economy is benefiting much form Small and Medium Enterprises that also assist by contributing towards employment. One such SME is Vantage Capital – a black investment and financial services group that is owned and controlled by historically disadvantaged South African individuals and groups (HDSA).
The company’s main objectives are third-party private equity fund management (technology, mezzanine and renewable energy funds), advisory and debt placement services, and on-balance sheet proprietary investments. Vantage Capital Group currently has funds under management and investments that are worth more than R4.5 billion ($450 million).
The group is one of the first black-owned and managed private equity companies in South Africa, and is one of the few remaining independent black-owned private equity and investment companies that are not connected to any major financial institution. Launched in 2001 (after a joining with MMR Equity Capital), Vantage Capital was established with the intention of establishing a Venture Capital Technology Fund with commitments from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), the Transnet Retirement Fund and the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund.
Vantage Group is well positioned as Africa’s leading mezzanine financier, capitalising on its strong position in the South African mezzanine market and building a portfolio of income generating mezzanine assets in South Africa and in the rest of Africa.
In 2012 Vantage started a Debt Capital Markets business that focuses on raising public and private debt for mid-size and large corporates, in the local and international debt capital markets (including corporate and hybrid bonds). The business also provides debt advisory services including debt restructurings, distressed debt advisory, and refinancing.
Mutle Mogase, Chris Lister-James and Colin Rezek are the founders of Vantage Capital. Mutle Mogase chairs the group, Chris Lister-James directs Technology, Mezzanine is headed by Colin Rezek and Luc Albinski, Debt Capital Markets is led by Ashley Benatar and GreenX is led by Alastair Campbell. Fourteen investment professionals and thirteen support and administrative staff support them.