InvestorInvesting in Africa's health innovation.
The startup scene in South Africa
Startup Genome reports Cape Town ecosystem value of USD 1 billion for H2 2023–2025, defining ecosystem value as exits and startup valuations and including active unicorns. It also reports USD 119 million in Seed and Series A funding for that period, and USD 1 billion in ecosystem exits from 2021 through 2025. These are Startup Genome’s reported measures.
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Startup Genome reports Cape Town ecosystem value of USD 1 billion for H2 2023–2025, defining ecosystem value as exits and startup valuations and including active unicorns. It also reports USD 119 million in Seed and Series A funding for that period, and USD 1 billion in ecosystem exits from 2021 through 2025. These are Startup Genome’s reported measures.
A UVU Africa stakeholder-report summary identifies a pre-seed-to-Series-A funding gap, limited later-stage capital, and visa, exchange-control, and procurement constraints affecting regional startups. The Western Cape Government describes its Digital Technology Ecosystem Support Programme as a provincial technology-ecosystem strengthening initiative and says it consulted 20 regional incubators and accelerators in April–May 2019. These are regional findings and context, not evidence of current city-specific program availability.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Cape Town ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Financial Centres Index | GFCI 40 | #93 | No prior edition | B | Finance, Competitiveness, Business Climate |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #138 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2024 | 91 to 100 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
114 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Cape Town
Investors 70
Investor
InvestorEmpowering high-growth businesses for a sustainable future.
InvestorCatalyzing economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 3 most prominent of 70. Browse all investors
Venture studios 18
Venture studioInnovating blockchain solutions for impact and digital identity.
Venture studioInnovative product design and development studio.
Venture studioBuilding innovative companies through a venture studio model.
The 3 most prominent of 18. Browse all venture studios
Accelerators 14
AcceleratorFetola is a South African agency focused on small business development, supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs across Africa to drive economic…
AcceleratorCatalyzing ocean-impact entrepreneurship in Africa.
AcceleratorConnecting startups, corporations, and investors in Africa's tech ecosystem.
The 3 most prominent of 14. Browse all accelerators
Incubators 12
IncubatorFostering social innovation through entrepreneurship.
IncubatorEmpowering entrepreneurs in South Africa.
IncubatorEmpowering early childhood innovation in South Africa.
The 3 most prominent of 12. Browse all incubators
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Cape Town
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Cape Town
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Cape Town
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Cape Town
The stakeholder report summary identifies visa, exchange-control and procurement frictions affecting regional startups.
Source: Why the 2025 Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem Report mattersUVU Africa's summary highlights a financing gap around Series A and later-stage growth.
Source: Why the 2025 Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem Report mattersStartup Genome reports USD 1 billion in exits for the Cape Town ecosystem during 2021–2025.
Source: Cape Town ecosystem by the numbersStartup Genome's Cape Town page reports USD 119 million in Seed and Series A funding across H2 2023–2025.
Source: Cape Town ecosystem by the numbersStartup Genome reports USD 1 billion in Cape Town ecosystem value for H2 2023–2025 under its stated valuation-and-exit definition.
Source: Cape Town ecosystem by the numbersThe province says it consulted 20 regional incubators and accelerators in April–May 2019.
Source: Digital Technology Ecosystem Support Programme
Questions about Cape Town
How does Cape Town rank as a startup ecosystem?
Cape Town is #138 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 3 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Cape Town?
70 investors based in Cape Town have a profile here, including Africa Health Ventures, Futuregrowth Asset Management and Viridian. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Cape Town?
Yes. Cape Town has 14 accelerators, 12 incubators and 18 venture studios on record, including Fetola, ORIBI and Trustlab Blockchain Innovation Studio.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Cape Town
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