Grace Ashiru
Cape Town-based venture capital firm Knife Capital is celebrating its 15th anniversary by announcing two new Series A investments in South African startups, Sticitt and Optique—both technology-driven companies addressing long-standing challenges in school payments and eye care.
Fintech startup Sticitt, established in 2018 by Theo Kitshof, is revolutionising school payments while integrating gamified financial literacy tools for students. The platform is currently utilised by over 75,000 users across 841 schools and has facilitated transactions exceeding ZAR 6.3 billion.
In addition to simplifying payment processes for parents, the company—having previously secured seed funding in 2022—is positioning its youth banking solution as a foundation for long-term financial inclusion. Knife Capital’s investment builds upon earlier support through Grindstone Ventures, with the latest funding round aimed at streamlining the cap table and accelerating growth.
Founded in 2017, Optique is reimagining the traditional optometry model through a digital-first, cost-effective approach. With 19 physical branches and an online store, the company serves under-served communities in South Africa, offering ZAR 99.00 eye tests, all-inclusive pricing, and interest-free payment options.
Founder Leon van Vuuren stated that Knife Capital’s investment will fuel national expansion and help deliver world-class eye care to consumers typically overlooked by traditional providers.
Knife Capital, which oversees three funds including the recently launched Knife Fund III, noted that these investments reflect its refined focus on scalable, impact-oriented innovation as the firm enters its next stage of growth.
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