Thandeka Xaba invests in underrepresented tech founders in South Africa, promoting inclusive growth across its startup ecosystem.
Thandeka Xaba, a South African entrepreneur and investor, has been a voice in the continent’s venture capital and startup ecosystem. As co-founder and Managing Partner of Digital Africa Ventures (DAV), she’s part of a new wave of fund managers working to address longstanding gaps in funding and support for early-stage African startups.
Born and raised in South Africa, Xaba holds a Business Science degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cape Town. She began her career in corporate finance and investment banking, where she developed a solid foundation in financial analysis and business structuring.
But after witnessing the realities of capital access across Africa, she began to focus on bridging the capital divide that too often leaves Black entrepreneurs, particularly women, without adequate funding.
In 2019, Xaba co-founded Digital Africa Ventures (DAV), recognised as one of South Africa’s first Black female-led venture capital funds. The firm targets early-stage technology startups that are either post-revenue or at the seed stage. DAV’s investment tickets typically range between R2 million (about $115 thousand) and R5 million (about $288 thousand), providing crucial early funding that helps startups scale and attract later-stage capital.
The fund’s approach goes beyond simply writing cheques. It integrates mentorship, operational guidance, and access to networks which are widely acknowledged as essential for helping startups grow sustainably. Its mandate includes directing a significant portion of capital towards Black-founded enterprises and digital technology ventures showing genuine potential for scalable impact.
With Xaba’s leadership over the years, DAV has positioned itself as a champion for inclusivity within South Africa’s venture capital ecosystem, where women and minority founders continue to encounter structural barriers in accessing investment. She desires to see a more equitable flow of capital, and always emphasises the importance of investors who truly understand the nuances of the African market.
The fund’s portfolio covers startups across sectors, including fintech, healthtech, and agritech. By backing early-stage founders, Thandeka Xaba is contributing to an ecosystem that is evolving rapidly as local venture activity gains momentum.
Beyond her work with DAV, Thandeka Xaba has pursued other profitable ventures. She founded the Tariro Foundation, which runs mentorship and education programmes for young African girls, and created GlamAlly, a digital platform connecting beauty professionals with clients. These initiatives mirror her broader commitment to fostering inclusion and empowerment, particularly amongst women and young people.
Her work continues to show that representation in capital allocation genuinely matters and that inclusive investment models can help shape a more sustainable and equitable entrepreneurial future.
