Convergence Partners

Convergence Partners, established in 2006, is an investment management firm dedicated to the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors in Africa. The firm specializes in creating and managing investment opportunities that enhance the development of information and communication technology (ICT) assets across the continent. As impact investors, Convergence Partners aims to stimulate investment capital to improve communications access and infrastructure, emphasizing initiatives that expand broadband services and technological innovations for the African population. The founders of Convergence Partners are experienced private equity professionals with a strong track record in delivering substantial returns while supporting continental advancement. The firm has been instrumental in significant ICT infrastructure projects in Africa, including SEACOM, the first independent undersea fibre system for East Africa, New Dawn, the continent's inaugural private sector communications satellite, and FibreCo Telecommunications, which established the first independent national fibre network in South Africa.

Craig Beney

Chief Operating Officer

Brandon Doyle

CEO and Founding Partner

Uchenna Enebeli

Associate

Stefan Ferreira

CFO and Founding Partner

Envir Fraser

Head: Research, Regulatory & Policy

Jarryd Kenedy

CFA Associate

Ruveshan Moodliyar

Senior Associate

Andile Ngcaba

Chairman and Founding Partner

Idan Segal

CIO and Founding Partner

Yolande Tabo

Investor Relations Principal

Craig Wilson

Principal

38 past transactions

Channel VAS

Private Equity Round in 2020
Developer and aggregator of impactful Mobile Value Added Services

Snapt

Series A in 2018
Snapt, Inc. develops frontends for open source server software. It offers Snapt Framework that is used as an interface for Linux and BDS; Snapt Squid, a frontend ROI solution that records reports and provides access control solutions to businesses; Snapt HAProxy, a load balancing solution; and Screencasts. Snapt, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ESET

Private Equity Round in 2017
ESET is an information technology security company that develops security software solutions which deliver protection against computer security threats for home users and corporate customers worldwide. The company provides ESET Smart Security, an integrated anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and personal firewall solution; ESET NOD32 Antivirus, an integrated security solution that detects and disables viruses, Trojans, worms, adware, spyware, phishing, rootkits, and other internet threats; ESET Cybersecurity for MAC; and ESET Endpoint Security, a security solution for company endpoints combining a two-way firewall, web control, and remote administration tool. ESET also offers ESET Endpoint Antivirus, an anti-virus and anti-spyware protection utilizing cloud-powered scanning, device control, and remote management of clients; ESET Mobile Security for Android that provides Android smartphone and tablet users with safer mobile technology adventures; and ESET Rootkit Detector, a security tool for Mac OSX that scans for malicious kernel extensions attempting to change operating system behavior by hooking inside the operating system. ESET was founded in 1992 and is based in Bratislava, Slovakia with regional distribution centers in San Diego, California; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Singapore. It has additional offices in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Prague, Czech Republic as well as malware research centers in Bratislava and Košice, Slovakia; San Diego, California; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Singapore; Prague, Czech Republic; Krakow, Poland; Montreal, Canada; and Moscow, Russian Federation.

Csquared

Venture Round in 2017
Csquared, based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in building and operating metro fiber and Wi-Fi networks to enhance Internet connectivity for local providers. Established in 2013 from Google's Project Link, the company facilitates Internet service providers and mobile network operators in Uganda and Ghana, allowing them to deliver broadband and Wi-Fi services to homeowners, small businesses, and mobile users. By providing shared infrastructure, Csquared enables these providers to offer broadband at reduced costs, thereby expanding access to the Internet for a broader audience.

Comsol Networks

Private Equity Round in 2016
Comsol is South Africa's premier layer 2 open access solution partner, enabling major Telcos, Carriers and Service Providers to answer the demand for high speed, reliable carrier grade access solutions. Comsol understands the need for choice, offering the freedom to choose, without compromising on quality and dependability. Comsol offers South Africa's first medium agnostic, enterprise grade, Layer 2, open access network, delivering guaranteed, dedicated, high speed carrier grade solutions to over 200 South African metropolitan areas and towns, creating a business grade foundation for people to connect, anywhere, any time. Together with Comsol's partners, Comsol is committed to enabling limitless connectivity for South Africa and beyond.

Snapt

Seed Round in 2016
Snapt, Inc. develops frontends for open source server software. It offers Snapt Framework that is used as an interface for Linux and BDS; Snapt Squid, a frontend ROI solution that records reports and provides access control solutions to businesses; Snapt HAProxy, a load balancing solution; and Screencasts. Snapt, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

e4

Acquisition in 2016
e4 is a technology company offering leading edge, trusted electronic solutions and services. Our customised services and products are a result of our strategic approach to understanding our clients' business requirements and long-term objectives.

inQuba

Venture Round in 2016
inQuba services & products put in place real-time solutions for the monitoring and management of customer experiences across the organisation. Operational metrics are often a lead indicator of customer experience, while financial performance can be a lag indicator of customer experience. Understanding these relationships allows a business to focus and invest resources in projects & initiatives that will have a direct impact on customer experience. inQuba solutions provide this visibility so that customer experience can be understood over time.

Venture Garden Group

Venture Round in 2015
Venture Garden Group (VGG) is a Nigeria-based investment management firm established in 2011, focused on developing automated data capture, management, billing, and payment processing solutions for emerging markets, with a particular emphasis on Africa. The firm operates across various sectors, including financial services, education, aviation, power, downstream oil and gas, and healthcare. By targeting these key industries, VGG aims to enhance operational efficiency and drive growth in the region.

Synergy Communications

Venture Round in 2014
Synergy Communications identifyies best qualities from various operations and where potential lies within the telecommunications industry.

Comsol Networks

Private Equity Round in 2014
Comsol is South Africa's premier layer 2 open access solution partner, enabling major Telcos, Carriers and Service Providers to answer the demand for high speed, reliable carrier grade access solutions. Comsol understands the need for choice, offering the freedom to choose, without compromising on quality and dependability. Comsol offers South Africa's first medium agnostic, enterprise grade, Layer 2, open access network, delivering guaranteed, dedicated, high speed carrier grade solutions to over 200 South African metropolitan areas and towns, creating a business grade foundation for people to connect, anywhere, any time. Together with Comsol's partners, Comsol is committed to enabling limitless connectivity for South Africa and beyond.

Skyband Corporation

Private Equity Round in 2014
Skyband Corporation is a communications service provider in Malawi. With over 14 years of experience in the Internet Service sector, Skyband has evolved from a dial-up ISP in 2000 to the Market Leader in the Communications & Internet Service provision sector in Malawi. Skyband provides a full range of innovative Internet services and products, including 4G, MPLS, VPNs, Internet hardware and Public Wifi Hotspots. Skyband also offers its own diverse Metro Fibre in Lilongwe and Blantyre, International routes and Points of Presence (POPs) in London and Johannesburg over multiple diverse paths. Skyband has a team of highly dedicated and experienced professionals aimed solely at providing you with the best possible services and support in Malawi. With Innovative and technologically advanced solutions, that cater to the customer’s needs. Skyband Continues to cement its presence in Malawi as, Malawi’s Leading Communications and Internet Service Provider.

FibreCo

Private Equity Round in 2014
In partnership with its clients, FibreCo provides bespoke connectivity solutions across South Africa and metro areas ranging from fibre ownership to high capacity and complex managed networking solutions in support of wholesale and enterprise clients. This allows clients to realise the benefits of the massive scalability inherent in high-quality, ultra-fast fibre-optic networks at a small fraction of the cost of deploying such infrastructure nationally. FibreCo’s open-access network means that our infrastructure is made available on an equal basis enabling clients to deliver a wider choice of high speed products to their customers – on one network.

Bloodhound

Private Equity Round in 2013
Bloodhound Technologies (Pty) Ltd. specializes in developing and commercializing real-time personnel tracking solutions tailored for various operating environments. The company offers a suite of products, including the Bloodhound Mobile System, which enables real-time monitoring; the Bloodhound Static Reader, serving as a base station with radio frequency identification capabilities; and the Bloodhound Active Identification Card, a device that stores identification and transmits information. Additionally, the Bloodhound Server utilizes existing network infrastructure, while the Bloodhound User Software provides a visual interface for tracking guard movements and identities in real time. Bloodhound's OBSERVER cloud platform and mobile app enhance these capabilities by using micro-location beacons to deliver insights into the performance and productivity of mobile personnel and valuable assets in both indoor and outdoor settings. The company serves various sectors, including security guarding, healthcare, transport, and facilities management. Established in 2004, Bloodhound is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.

Penguin Computing

Venture Round in 2009
Penguin Computing Inc. offers Linux software, systems, and services for high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The company specializes in cluster virtualization. It offers rackmount servers, HPC cluster systems and software, storage solutions, and Linux workstations; peripherals, data protection, cluster interconnects, infrastructure management servers, and power management solutions; and Scyld ClusterWare HPC for the deployment and management of a Linux cluster. Penguin Computing Inc. also provides cluster delivery and orientation, onsite cluster assembly and installation, site planning and assessment, high performance computing consulting, and custom system deployment services. The company serves the high-performance computing, Web infrastructure, and enterprise computing areas in life science, aerospace, automotive, energy, government, and education markets. Penguin Computing Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

GameZBoost

Series A in 2008
GameZBoost specializes in providing customizable white label gaming platforms for publishers worldwide. Their offerings include comprehensive online desktop solutions and fully responsive mobile and social platforms. GameZBoost's platforms support game integration for publishers, enabling them to reach a broad audience across 16 countries and in 12 languages. The company focuses on delivering online casual games, particularly in the realms of social networking, online multiplayer experiences, and mobile gaming. Additionally, GameZBoost provides Game Studios with the tools necessary to integrate their games into these platforms, allowing for immediate access to a global audience.

Clickability

Series C in 2008
Clickability is an on demand Web Content Management (WCM).. The Clickability platform combines SaaS and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to support the complete content lifecycle. Clickability enables businesses of all sizes to manage their marketing and media solutions more effectively in "the cloud." Clickability's hosted, multi-tenant delivery model also ensures organizations mitigate their environmental impact by maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing waste. Founded in 1999, Clickability is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York and London. It was acquired by Limelight Networks (Nasdaq:LLNW) on May 2, 2011 in a deal valued at approx. $10m.

Penguin Computing

Series C in 2007
Penguin Computing Inc. offers Linux software, systems, and services for high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The company specializes in cluster virtualization. It offers rackmount servers, HPC cluster systems and software, storage solutions, and Linux workstations; peripherals, data protection, cluster interconnects, infrastructure management servers, and power management solutions; and Scyld ClusterWare HPC for the deployment and management of a Linux cluster. Penguin Computing Inc. also provides cluster delivery and orientation, onsite cluster assembly and installation, site planning and assessment, high performance computing consulting, and custom system deployment services. The company serves the high-performance computing, Web infrastructure, and enterprise computing areas in life science, aerospace, automotive, energy, government, and education markets. Penguin Computing Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Penguin Computing

Series B in 2007
Penguin Computing Inc. offers Linux software, systems, and services for high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The company specializes in cluster virtualization. It offers rackmount servers, HPC cluster systems and software, storage solutions, and Linux workstations; peripherals, data protection, cluster interconnects, infrastructure management servers, and power management solutions; and Scyld ClusterWare HPC for the deployment and management of a Linux cluster. Penguin Computing Inc. also provides cluster delivery and orientation, onsite cluster assembly and installation, site planning and assessment, high performance computing consulting, and custom system deployment services. The company serves the high-performance computing, Web infrastructure, and enterprise computing areas in life science, aerospace, automotive, energy, government, and education markets. Penguin Computing Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Azaire Networks

Series C in 2006
Azaire Networks, Inc. provides multi-access network solutions for mobile operators and service providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company develops wireless local area network based solutions that enable the deployment of multi-access networks to offer mobile broadband services to consumers and business users. Its solutions also enable the users to roam between cellular, metropolitan access, and enterprise access networks. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with additional offices in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. As of June 10, 2008, Azaire Networks, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of IntelliNet Technologies, Inc.

Penguin Computing

Series A in 2006
Penguin Computing Inc. offers Linux software, systems, and services for high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The company specializes in cluster virtualization. It offers rackmount servers, HPC cluster systems and software, storage solutions, and Linux workstations; peripherals, data protection, cluster interconnects, infrastructure management servers, and power management solutions; and Scyld ClusterWare HPC for the deployment and management of a Linux cluster. Penguin Computing Inc. also provides cluster delivery and orientation, onsite cluster assembly and installation, site planning and assessment, high performance computing consulting, and custom system deployment services. The company serves the high-performance computing, Web infrastructure, and enterprise computing areas in life science, aerospace, automotive, energy, government, and education markets. Penguin Computing Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Azaire Networks

Series B in 2004
Azaire Networks, Inc. provides multi-access network solutions for mobile operators and service providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company develops wireless local area network based solutions that enable the deployment of multi-access networks to offer mobile broadband services to consumers and business users. Its solutions also enable the users to roam between cellular, metropolitan access, and enterprise access networks. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with additional offices in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. As of June 10, 2008, Azaire Networks, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of IntelliNet Technologies, Inc.

Dimension Data

Post in 2004
Dimension Data is a global leader in communications outsourcing and professional services, specializing in helping organizations navigate the digital landscape. As a member of the NTT Group, it focuses on enhancing clients' digital ambitions through solutions in digital infrastructure, hybrid cloud, workspaces, and cybersecurity. With a significant presence in 58 countries and a workforce of 31,000 employees, Dimension Data reported a turnover of USD 7.5 billion. The company is also recognized for its partnerships, including its role as the Official Technology Partner of Amaury Sport Organisation, which organizes the Tour de France, and its sponsorship of the cycling team Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.

Azaire Networks

Series A in 2003
Azaire Networks, Inc. provides multi-access network solutions for mobile operators and service providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company develops wireless local area network based solutions that enable the deployment of multi-access networks to offer mobile broadband services to consumers and business users. Its solutions also enable the users to roam between cellular, metropolitan access, and enterprise access networks. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with additional offices in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. As of June 10, 2008, Azaire Networks, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of IntelliNet Technologies, Inc.

B2BWorks

Series C in 2002
B2BWorks is a full-service, online business-to-business advertising network

Full Degree

Series A in 2001
Full Degree is reinventing the way enterprise manage, distribute and publish detailed product information. The company's software and service solutions make enterprises easier to do business with by ensuring that the most consistent and complete product information is available within the enterprise and at every customer interaction.

Chameleon Systems

Series C in 2001
Chameleon Systems is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designs, markets and sells programmable system-on-a-chip solutions for the communications electronics markets. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has developed the industry´s first reconfigurable communications processor (RCP)--an ideal solution for data-intensive Internet, DSP, wireless basestations, voice compression, software-defined radio, and other high-performance embedded telecom and datacom applications. The Chameleon RCP solution allows data and telecom equipment vendors to create customized communications signal processors to increase performance and channel count, more quickly adapt to new requirements and standards, reduce time-to-market, lower development costs and reduce risk.

mDiversity

Series B in 2000
The radio link is the barrier to expansion for wireless communications. Manufacturers need to enhance the spectrum efficiency – capacity, coverage and data rate – by migrating to the highest performance infrastructure. Macrodiversity increases the spectrum efficiency of wireless networks by having a cellular terminal simultaneously communicate with multiple access points. mDiversity's patented distributed architecture and proprietary software enables – for the first time – a cost effective implementation of macrodiversity Founded in early 1999, mDiversity has attracted leading veterans from the wireless community to its management team to spearhead the development of a complete solution for second and third generation (3G) wireless networks. The company is privately held and has raised over $11 million to date. mDiversity has over 30 employees and is based in San Jose, California. mDiversity is breaking down the cost-barriers of macrodiversity with its vision for a complete solution based on an open architecture and industry standards. mDiversity’s proprietary software with a distributed architecture supports a wide range of industry standards such as GSM, TDMA, EDGE, and 3G wide-band CDMA, providing a flexible, scalable solution. mDiversity’s product implementation increases the radio link efficiency, translating into benefits such as: decreasing mobile transmit power by as much as 94%; reducing dropped calls; increasing capacity and data rate by over 100%; expanding coverage by up to 300%.

Chapter 2

Series A in 2000
Infrastructure for e-business applications.

Vectiv

Venture Round in 2000
Vectiv provides enterprise store lifecycle management solutions that enable retail companies to align their stores with their customer base. Its solutions are able to manage and execute activities related to rolling out new stores; and changing formats, relocating, and closing of existing stores. Vectiv was acquired by Accruent in February 2003. Vectiv was founded in 1999 and is based in San Francisco, California.

B2BWorks

Series B in 2000
B2BWorks is a full-service, online business-to-business advertising network

Campsix

Series A in 2000
Campsix is a full service B2B Internet incubator.

CollegeClub.com

Venture Round in 2000
College Club is an integrated communications and media company that has created an online suite of community services that resonates with the college student marketplace. It improves its members’ college experience, connects them with new brands, builds their resume for future job prospects, and enables them to earn money while they work the hours they choose. College Club provides its student members with an integrated communications solution, including an interactive online community. It helps its members develop the necessary skills companies are looking for in their college graduate hire. College Club was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, United States.

USCreative

Series A in 1999
USCreative.com is an online resource for creative services.

Chameleon Systems

Series B in 1999
Chameleon Systems is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designs, markets and sells programmable system-on-a-chip solutions for the communications electronics markets. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has developed the industry´s first reconfigurable communications processor (RCP)--an ideal solution for data-intensive Internet, DSP, wireless basestations, voice compression, software-defined radio, and other high-performance embedded telecom and datacom applications. The Chameleon RCP solution allows data and telecom equipment vendors to create customized communications signal processors to increase performance and channel count, more quickly adapt to new requirements and standards, reduce time-to-market, lower development costs and reduce risk.

Chameleon Systems

Series A in 1998
Chameleon Systems is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designs, markets and sells programmable system-on-a-chip solutions for the communications electronics markets. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has developed the industry´s first reconfigurable communications processor (RCP)--an ideal solution for data-intensive Internet, DSP, wireless basestations, voice compression, software-defined radio, and other high-performance embedded telecom and datacom applications. The Chameleon RCP solution allows data and telecom equipment vendors to create customized communications signal processors to increase performance and channel count, more quickly adapt to new requirements and standards, reduce time-to-market, lower development costs and reduce risk.

Tropian

Series A in 1998
Tropian, Inc. develops and provides multimode radio frequency integrated circuits and solutions for wireless devices. The company offers Timestar radio frequency integrated circuit solutions for quad-band cellular handsets; Codestar radio transceivers; and Multistar transceivers. It serves wireless device manufacturers. Tropian, Inc. was formerly known as Premier R.F., Inc.

Chameleon Systems

Seed Round in 1997
Chameleon Systems is a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designs, markets and sells programmable system-on-a-chip solutions for the communications electronics markets. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has developed the industry´s first reconfigurable communications processor (RCP)--an ideal solution for data-intensive Internet, DSP, wireless basestations, voice compression, software-defined radio, and other high-performance embedded telecom and datacom applications. The Chameleon RCP solution allows data and telecom equipment vendors to create customized communications signal processors to increase performance and channel count, more quickly adapt to new requirements and standards, reduce time-to-market, lower development costs and reduce risk.