Established in 2010, Knife Capital is a pan-African venture capital firm that supports high-growth, innovation-led enterprises with a focus on expanding their reach globally.

Operating from offices in Cape Town, London, and Jersey, the firm channels its investments through several vehicles, including KNF I, KNF II, and its latest fund, Knife Fund III.

To commemorate 15 years in the ecosystem, Knife Capital has made new Series A investments in Sticitt and Optique through its KNF II fund, reinforcing its mission to accelerate African entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2018, fintech company Sticitt is modernizing how schools in South Africa handle financial transactions.

The platform simplifies school payments by integrating them into a seamless digital system.

Knife Capital was among the early backers of Sticitt, initially supporting the startup through its Grindstone accelerator and later through Grindstone Ventures.

Currently, Sticitt serves 841 educational institutions and facilitates transactions for more than 75,700 users.

CEO and founder Theo Kitshoff welcomed Knife’s continued involvement, highlighting the value of the firm’s experience and networks.

“Their expertise will be instrumental as we scale Sticitt’s operations and deepen our impact on sustainable school management and financial literacy for students,” he noted.

Optique, launched in 2017, aims to revolutionize eyecare by making it more accessible, affordable, and tech-enabled.

The company operates a network of 19 franchise branches across South Africa, alongside a robust online store.

Optique’s hybrid approach disrupts traditional optometry by merging physical and digital service models.

Founder Leon van Vuuren sees Knife Capital’s backing as a significant milestone.

“This investment enables us to fast-track our expansion and ensure more people can access premium eyecare through our innovative business model,” he said.

Commenting on the new investments, Knife Capital co-founder and partner Keet van Zyl underscored the firm’s dedication to supporting impactful ventures.

“We partner with founders who pursue bold solutions with clarity and determination. Both Sticitt and Optique exemplify our investment philosophy—they address tangible needs with innovation and resilience,” he stated.