Who are we?

We grow high impact businesses. Edge Growth was founded on hard business skills and experience and a passion to reduce poverty in South Africa through job creation.

Highly equipped from privileged career opportunities, but dissatisfied with the status-quo, unyielding in their desire to leave the world better off for their contribution to it, and committed to excel in their professional and personal Edge Growth is a group of Enterprise Development specialists; committed to growing small businesses. Growth isonsmall, but significant poverty development, Edge Founded a a passion to reduce in South Africa through job creation, Edge Growth has developed a unique methodology that unlocks growthourhigh potential SMEs. The instrument of change in in country. Enterprise Development sector of the BEE codes, introduced in 2007, created an unprecedented opportunity to radically reduce unemployment in South Africa through growing SMEs. Seeing the potential to impact lives by channelling corporate enterprise development funds to grow We have developed a unique methodology that unlocks SMEs, a team of passionate individuals decided to use their skills and experience to make their lives count. potential SMEs, thereby unlocking explosive growth in high latent socio-economic impact. With a high power team of Dissatisfied with the status-quo, unyielding in their desire to leave the world better off for their contribution to it, and committed the Investment Professionals together with some of to excel in their professional and personal development, Edge Growth is a small, but significant instrument of change in our country. our Investment countrys most experienced investors on Edge Growth combines leading thinking in enterprise development with uncompromising focus on social impact. disruptive businessesa highlyby Committee, we partner with I experience Edge as driven rewarding work environment balanced between personal development and nation building impact. Matthys Mare, Analyst top entrepreneurs, invest capital and apply best of breed tools from the fields of venture capital, private equity and the wolds leading business strategy consulting firms to Founded: 2007 unlock growth and build the nation. Outlook: Make our lives count by applying hard business skills and experience to reducing poverty Edge Growth combines leading thinking in building Industry: Social Venture Capital/ Social Private Equity / businesses / enterprise development with uncompromising Enterprise Development focus on social impact. I experience Edge as a highly Vision: Be the most high impact ED organisation in Africa rewarding work environment balanced between personal by 2020 development and nation building impact. Matthys Mare, Team: 11 and growing Analyst Impact: > R50 m deployed in high growth SMEs > 550 jobs expected to be created over 5 years Only just beginning

What do we do?
Company: Prominent Tulips Industry: Agriculture Investment: R15m Social Impact: 20 jobs created. Workers to become owners in business

Edge Growth is a group of Enterprise Development specialists; committed to growing small businesses. Founded on a passion to reduce poverty in South Africa through job creation, Edge Growth has developed a unique methodology that unlocks growth in high potential SMEs. The Enterprise Development sector of the BEE codes, introduced in 2007, created an unprecedented opportunity to radically reduce unemployment in South Africa through growing SMEs. Seeing the potential to impact lives by channelling corporate enterprise development funds to grow SMEs, a team of passionate individuals decided to use their skills and experience to make their lives count. Dissatisfied with the status-quo, unyielding in their desire to leave the world better off for their contribution to it, and committed to excel in their professional and personal development, Edge Growth is a small, but significant instrument of change in our country. Edge Growth combines leading thinking in enterprise development with uncompromising focus on social impact. I experience Edge as a highly rewarding work environment balanced between personal development and nation building impact. Matthys Mare, Analyst

Edge Growth is essentially a private equity/venture capital firm, with a passion for social impact. We invest corporate enterprise development funds in small and early stage businesses in the missing middle. These SMEs, despite having sound potential, are unable to source funding through traditional means and as a result lack the resources they require to grow. Edge Growth focuses on investing in businesses that will create a large number of low skilled jobs or businesses that will generate a large social return, but which make great investments on a purely commercial basis. We often invest despite lack of track record, an absent balance sheet and no expectation of cash flow in the next 12 to 36 months. How? We invest on the basis of fundamental drivers of long term business success, using best of breed venture due diligence tools and techniques to spot, prove, and demonstrate future value. We then partner with the SME, using world class business growth skills, to unlock their potential. Think Bain / McKinsey / Accenture / Monitor for SMEs with great social impact!

Who you will work with at Edge Growth: Directors

Jason Goldberg Stuart Townshend Nicholas Hall Daniel Hatfield Calvin Flambisayi Portfolio: Investment Portfolio: SME Support Portfolio: Edge Action Portfolio: Business Portfolio: Enterprise Services Services Education: B.Comm; MBA; Development and Development Projects & Education: B.Sc Electrical Education: B.Comm PMP Operations Program Management Engineering; Post (Economics); Post Key positions held: CEO Education: B.Sc ElectroEducation: MBA; Masters Graduate in Sustainable Graduate Diploma in ADP Clearing, Senior Mechanical Engineering; in Plant Genetics; B.Sc Development Management Consultant to Visolution, , B.Comm (Financial Agriculture; Key Positions held: Key Positions held: Strategy planning Accounts); CFA Level 3 Key Positions held: C.O.O CIDA Investment Head of global sourcing manager BMW SA, Key Positions Held: Executive Director AgriTrust and CIDA learning, and group alliances General Manager Head Joint Ventures Sense Consultancy, Strategy Project a group of Enterprise Development specialists; committed to growing small businesses. Founded on a passion to reduce Leader Goldfields, Commercial planning and research FirstRand Group, Group BEE Supply poverty Edge Growth is Manager TACA Airlines, Director- Sirosa Finance, Nissan Strategy Consultant BHP Billition, in South Africa through job creation, Edge Growth has developed a unique methodology that unlocks growth in high potential SMEs. The Strategy ConsultantHead of BEE codes, introduced in Experience: an unprecedented opportunity to radically reduce unemployment customer Key 2007, created Accenture Commercialisation Enterprise Development sector of the Bain&Co (JHB through retention and key Manager Innovation in South Africaand C. growing SMEs. Seeing the potential 15 years experience in to impact lives by channellingKey Experience corporate enterprise development funds to grow Development of America) accounts Uti, motor industry Fund, Regional Product SMEs, a team of passionate individuals decided to use their skills and experience to make their lives count. diagnostics and tools to Key Experience Strategy consultant Intensive experience in development head assist SMEs at Strategy consultant in Accenture Monsanto Dissatisfied with the status-quo, unyielding in their desire to economics, strategy off for their contribution to it, and committed to excel in leave the world better Accenture range of industries with Key Experience Edge Growth is a small,and marketing instrument of change in our country. planning but significant Key Experience their professional and personal development, Implemented Bain & Co Strategy consultant Intensive experience in for large corporate Edge Growth combines leading thinking in enterprise development with uncompromising focus on social impact. I experience Edge as a highly owner/manager Venture capital due across a number of best companies nation building impact. Matthys Mare, Analyst practice farming rewarding work environment balanced between personal development and performance diligence work at Bain industries techniques, product Successfully started up management system at Developed GAS Selection and growth of development and southern Africa FNB (rolled out to 500 methodology to unlock dotcom start up research operations of ADP retail branches) explosive growth in high businesses, Accenture Assisted numerous Clearing, a NYSE top Formed and headed up potential SMEs Venture Capital Fund SMEs to become viable 100 company Joint Ventures Division Advisor to leading In depth experience in Development and Implemented Basel II at First Rand, African Social Venture performance implementation of at ABSA responsible for building Capital Fund management systems, BHPs Preferential Successful start up and and incubating growth Took lead role in strategic partnering, Procurement strategy growth of two SMEs businesses in the negotiating JVs with and designing and Set up of Enterprise consumer banking space worlds largest airline implementing ED Development and Led specific M&A MROs, with TACA initiatives Preferential initiatives in retail Program managed Has raised finance for Procurement banking & insurance overhaul of entire IT and grown a number of consultancy broking space backbone for Airline small businesses

Working at Edge Growth

In 2 years at Edge, you will Learn powerful techniques to identify, prove, demonstrate and create future value in early stage business ventures with high potential, that most financiers wouldnt spend 10 minutes on Learn the logic of smart venture investing Be exposed to and analyse hundreds of business plans Investigate the merits of 20+ businesses Gain an in depth knowledge of 10+ different industries Be involved in structuring and negotiating several equity Edge Growth is a group of Enterprise Development specialists; committed to growing investments in high growth on a passion to reduce poverty small businesses. Founded businesses in South Africa through job creation, Edge Growth has developed a unique methodology that unlocks growth in high potentialentrepreneurs Work with a diversity of highly talented SMEs. The Enterprise Development sector of the BEE codes, introduced in 2007, created an unprecedented opportunity to radically some ofunemployment Debate investment proposals with reduce the countrys in South Africa through growing SMEs. Seeing the potential to impact lives by channelling corporate enterprise developmentequity to grow leading venture capitalists and private funds practitioners, SMEs, a team of passionate individuals decided to use their skills and experience to makeour Investment Committee on their lives count. Be intimately involved in growing 3-5 businesses Dissatisfied with the status-quo, unyielding in their desire to leave the world better off for their contribution to it, and committed to excel in Systematically build a holistic toolkit for successful venture their professional and personal development, Edge Growth is a small, but significant instrument of change in our country. capital investing Edge Growth combines leading thinking in enterprise development with uncompromising focus on social impact. significant public forums Edge Be exposed to some of the I experience Edge as a highly rewarding work environment balanced between personal development and nation building impact. Matthys Mare, Analyst has the privilege of influencing by sharing their leading edge thinking and experience

Company: Opti-Baby Industry: Early childhood development day care Investment: R15m Social Impact: 480 jobs to be created

We understand that in order to make a significant impact in the world, we need to develop the skills that make our team as effective as possible. We therefore commit to growing and challenging our team through mentorship and coaching so as to help them realise their potential. If they succeed, we succeed. At Edge Growth we ensure that making a difference doesnt come at the expense of our teams career development Jason Goldberg, Director Edge Growth

Why work at Edge Growth?

Company: Agriligna Industry: Wood Plastic Composite Investment: R5.6m Social Impact: 20 jobs created

Edge Growth provides a unique work environment; where we combine a strong focus on sound economic and business principles with generating social impact. At Edge, you will have enjoy: Professional development that is hard to parallel : Acquire a highly transferrable, world-class skill set, akin to that gained in a top global strategy consulting firm, tailored to the practical task of growing real businesses in the real world with real, everyday problems Culture: Work with a team of vibrant, young, dynamic and passionate individuals towards the shared vision and goal of making Africa a better place for all Africans. Work in an environment that centres around mutual respect, relationship, excellence and purpose Purpose: Find purpose in your work, without compromising professional development, fun, and fair remuneration

The people are what make Edge Growth so special; they are a group of highly talented individuals, willing to share their knowledge and expertise and work with you to reach your potential. We work hard, laugh a lot and make a difference at the same time. Nikki Still, Analyst

More on what we do
Company: Kotla Livestock Industry: Agriculture Investment: R3.5m Social Impact: Sustainable black owned business

Edge Growth develops Enterprise Development (ED) plan to turn around crop and livestock business Edge Growth has partnered with AFGRI operations to implement a turn-around plan on one of their flagship agricultural ED projects. Henock Tladinyane (nicknamed Gops) left the corporate world to follow his passion to start up a crop and livestock farm in Kameeldrift, 25km north of Brits, selling his cattle to neighbouring informal communities. After a few years in business, Gops is facing challenges on a number of fronts threatening the future of the business, despite ad hoc ED assistance from AFGRI Operations and the surrounding farmers. Edge Growth was tasked with determining whether, in conjunction with AFGRIs financial support, it could assist Gops in turning the floundering business into a sustainable crop and livestock enterprise. Using local and international crop and animal husbandry best practice, Edge Growth has built a programme for increasing productivity and efficiencies and is in the early stages of rolling this out. In addition, its support process will ensure sound financial management and improved operations, with the view to transforming the business into a viable, sustainable enterprise.

More on what we do
Company: First Step Computers Industry: Internet Cafe Investment: R150 000 Social Impact: Sustainable black owned business in township. Access to computers/internet for scholars, job seekers

Edge Growth helps entrepreneur to launch first Internet caf in Orange farm Thanks to Edge Growth for their help in getting my business up and running. It is amazing to look at how far I have come and to see my caf filled with people. Who would have thought that my dream would come true and that one day I have my very own business? Lennox Maliwa, Owner First Step Computers Lennox Maliwa, a former waiter, partnered with Edge Growth to make the dream of running his own business a reality. Lennox saw an opportunity in Orange Farm, a township with a population of 1 million, to become the only internet caf in the area, providing much needed internet, computer, fax, printing and phone services to the school children, job seekers and businessmen. Edge Growth has provided ongoing business support to Lennox, by helping him raise finance, source computers and by building his business from scratch.

Background to the case study interview

Because we do early stage, relatively small investments, our deal team faces some significant challenges that are much more of a constraint for our investments than they are in other Private Equity environments: there is far less historical information to work with which makes it difficult to assess realistic sales and costing based on history, or to assess the strength of the team and company's positioning based on past performance; having little company track record also means you cannot gain comfort regarding how risks inherent to the business have been addressed simply through the company and management's track record of success. As a consequence, our investment decisions are based to a much larger degree on a forward looking assessment: i.e. we place far more reliance on pressure testing the fundamental drivers of future growth and success, from first principles. We call our approach Strategic Due Diligence. There are no formulae, no templates, no standard practice. Every deal is both complex and different to every other deal. It is the job of the deal team to figure out how to figure out if this company will succeed, and if we believe they will, to demonstrate that convincingly, based on hard evidence, both internally and to outside stakeholders despite lack of track record and very high early stage risk. Enjoying and performing in that kind of environment requires the natural aptitude for bringing structure and logic to chaos and mess: to craft a logical, methodological, pragmatic way of solving a problem, where not even the problem is clear, and to do so in such a way as to make the approach clear to a diverse range of team members. It requires the aptitude to come up with the right questions, and then determine the most pragmatic and effective way and sequence to answer those questions through research and analysis, in the least possible space of time and at the least cost. The case study assessment is very focused on assessing specifically the most foundational aptitudes and abilities for the forward looking, strategic due diligence approach. The case study interviews are designed to test how you will perform when, starting with very little information, a crude business plan, etc, you have to answer a specific but broad business question - like is the market big enough? In the case study, you will be required to crack part of a due diligence case - Please size the global market for roof tiles - during a 45 minute interview, purely from structured reasoning, business judgement, and drawing on first-hand life experience.

Preparing for the case study interview

The case study interviews require a lot of preparation: think 20+ practice case studied, and 30+ hours of preparation. Here are 4 steps to appropriate preparation:

Step 1: Do the case studies posted on the following websites: Bain & Co http://www.joinbain.com/apply-to-bain/interview-preparation/default.asp McKinsey http://www.mckinsey.com/Careers/how_do_i_apply/how_to_do_ well_in_the_interview/case_interview.aspx Other: http://managementconsulted.com/case-studies/case-studies-101-whatevery-future-consultant-needs-to-master-to-receive-offers
Step 2: Practice 5-10 case studies on your own. Literally simulate live case study interviews by solving your case studies in front of an imaginary interviewer, taking care to explain to them your approach and talk them through what you are doing at all times as you crack the case study.

Step 3: Now, watch the Edge Growth case study preparation video (on CD, for collection from Edge offices), and pick up pointers. What have you been doing well, what have you been doing poorly?
Step 4: Practice another 10+ case study interviews, again simulating live case study interviews. Try to do at least 3 or 4 with a friend or colleague as your interviewee, preferably somebody who has succeeded in getting a job going through the case study process before. Please dont underestimate the importance of preparation for the case study interview. Raw talent, intelligence, and experience will get you about 40% of the way, the other 60% is mastering the mental disciplines of this structured problem solving method. 20 hours of practice would not be uncommon or overdoing it. Even if you have worked in the Strategy Consulting environment, preparation is vital to sharpen the mind.

I studied engineering and was the top physics student out of 400 engineers. I thought I had the case studies under wraps so when I interviewed with Accenture, I practiced only a few case studies. Not surprisingly, I never got the job. When I interviewed at Bain & Co, I practiced at least 30 case studies before my final round interviews. This time I got the job. In fact I went from being a very poor performer, to a top performer. What I have learnt in my ten years of doing case study interviews since then, is that this way of thinking is totally different to the way your brain has been wired by schools, universities, life and work. Its like golf. You may be the next Tiger Woods. But until you practice your golf swing, you dont develop the technique required to do well and youll suck just as much as the rest of us. Likewise, if you do not practice enough for the case study interviews, you will not develop the mental muscle memory of this structured technique to solving problems, you will bomb the interviews, and you will not get the job