Profile Overview
Vusi Thembekwayo is a South African entrepreneur, bestselling author, global business speaker, and venture capitalist. He is the founder and CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, a pan-African impact investment firm that focuses on financial inclusion, healthcare, and education through technology.
Professional Credentials
- Title: Founder and CEO
- Company: MyGrowthFund Venture Partners
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Website: [MyGrowthFund Venture Partners](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mygrowthfund)
Professional Highlights
- Global Influence: Over the past 19 years, Vusi has been a sought-after speaker, inspiring and educating leaders across the globe. His advisory and speaking engagements have impacted Fortune 500 companies and influential business leaders worldwide.
- Books: Author of two bestselling books:
- Vusi: Business & Life Lessons from a Black Dragon (2017)
- The Magna Carta of Exponentiality (2018)
- Media Coverage: Featured on Forbes, Bloomberg, CNN, and CNBC among other global media outlets.
- LinkedIn Presence: Listed among the top 10 most followed Africans on LinkedIn with over 720,000 followers.
Key Achievements
- Business Leadership:
- At the age of 25, managed an R400 million division within a R17 billion multinational corporation.
- Co-founded VUKA Capital and is a General Partner at Watermark Afrika Capital.
- Chairman of Thembekwayo Legacy Group which has diversified interests in real estate, hospitality, mining, and commodity trading.
- Organized an origination office in New York for MyGrowthFund Venture Partners.
- Built an educational platform that reached over 519,000 entrepreneurs worldwide.
- Speaking Engagements:
- Shared stages with prominent figures like Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin.
- Conducted speaking tours across multiple continents including North America and Europe.
Educational Background
- Executive MBA: Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School, Business/Managerial Economics.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration: Gordon Institute of Business Science.
- Management Advanced Programme: University of the Witwatersrand.
Public Influence and Media
- Social Media Influence:
- Over 1 million Facebook followers.
- More than 500,000 followers on Twitter.
- Public Speaking and Recognition:
- Recognized by the United Nations as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2018).
- Awarded GQ's Business Leader of the Year (2020).
- Recipient of the Titan of Africa award by the UAE-Africa Group in Dubai.
Specializations and Focus Areas
- Venture Capital & Private Equity: Focuses on early-stage investments in technology-driven sectors.
- Impact Investment: Emphasizes investments that drive financial inclusion, healthcare, and education.
- Strategy & Market Intelligence: Heads Iconoclasts Knowledge Bureau, providing market entry strategies for businesses in emerging economies.
Notable Incidents
- Dragons' Den: Served as a dragon on South Africa's iteration of the Dragons' Den reality TV show (2014-2015).
- Controversies: Involved in a public apology in 2023 for comments made about the murdered rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes.
Philanthropy and Personal Interests
- Philanthropic Efforts: Known for his commitment to entrepreneurial education and support for African businesses.
- Personal Life: Born in Benoni, South Africa, Vusi is married with three children.
Vusi Thembekwayo's profile reflects a dynamic leader with significant influence in entrepreneurship and venture capital in Africa. His track record of accomplishments, coupled with his speaking prowess, positions him as a key figure for potential business partnerships and ventures.
