Junior-operator training programme launched by African VC firm Secha Capital

Junior Operator-Investor Network (JOIN) is a training program that was introduced by African growth capital impact firm Secha Capital. The program’s goal is to develop the next generation of business management, operations, and investment leaders.

Secha Capital is a black, female-founded growth capital impact firm that invests in businesses in Southern Africa’s various sectors that are utilizing technology to enable their shift to a green economy. The firm uses an operator-investor model. It announced last September that its second fund, with a target size of ZAR650 million (US $34 million), had reached its first close of ZAR300 million (US $15.7 million).

The goal of the JOIN program is to close the knowledge gap between academic theory and practical business development and investment management by utilizing Secha’s network of operators, entrepreneurs, and investors to develop a new generation of African leaders.

Its unique approach consists of training its yearly cohort in a variety of competencies and skills needed for an operator-investor role. According to Secha Capital, this shows the company’s dedication to developing talent capable of leading, managing, investing in, and eventually expanding businesses in traditional industries as they transition into the green and tech-enabled economy.

“We are proud to launch the JOIN programme to create an arsenal of operator-investors in Africa,” said Tebogo Masekwameng, Secha Capital principal.

The programme is accepting applications for its inaugural June 2024 cohort.