Press Release

Lowering the barriers for scaling impact investments in Southern Africa.

Caban Investments Limited will facilitate over R15 million in an initial financing round of investment for Skill Exchange Makerspace to scale early township ventures & entrepreneurs in South Africa.

“Without action, the world would still be an idea”- Georges Doriot

Skill Exchange Makerspace, a South African-based social enterprise, has entered into a strategic investment partnership, that will secure over R15M in an initial impact investment round to roll out a PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) and subscription model for social innovation as well as to build a Makerspace in the vibrant township of Sebokeng, Vaal Triangle and expand its operations throughout South Africa. The funding for SEM will be secured with support from SEM’s formidable partner, Caban Investments Limited. A partnership officially established in January 2020. 

“SEM is among the first globally to integrate PAYGO and subscription services with social innovation, meaning civil society and socially responsible companies can finally afford a more responsive approach to developing and deploying effective solutions to challenging and often systemic social and environmental issues in support of social progress,” said Irven Hope, SEM Executive Director, and Co-Founder. “Working in partnership with our international investment firm, thousands of community members and youth will now have a technology-equipped environment, tools and the know-how to proactively build income-generating solutions to their biggest problems.”

Caban Investments Limited- A SA/UK corporate finance firm & Skill Exchange Makerspace have formed a formidable partnership that will build a seamlessly integrated future by forming ecosystems that bridge our social and environmental problems with economic solutions.

The partnership seeks to build healthier communities by leading & supporting community problem-solving through technology solution development for good. Working with the communities to increase collaborations, social innovation learning, and digital skills training. Reducing the number of social and economic challenges for communities, as an effective response towards socio-economic and innovation inclusion, by helping over 120 000 youth and civil society develop digital skills, build demand-driven solutions and gain seed-stage funding, this partnership fosters an environment ready for the scaling of impact investment in Southern Africa.

Working towards this mission, SEM provides product design & development training & prototyping learning experience, to turn community members into product designers, coders, experts in AI and IoT – creating a next-generation of social entrepreneurs. 

Caban’s collaboration with SEM is an effort to increase social and environmental impact by leveraging blending financing structures to help mobilize commercial financing into a positive impact. Facilitating impact investments that provide access to a large pool of capital from risk capital and market-rate providers. This is one way of approaching the impact investment environment in Africa. -Dave Romero, CEO of Caban Investments Limited. 

Caban will support SEM in raising an early-stage capital of R65 million by the year 2021 through several rounds of funding- to help scale and commercialize the most innovative smart inventions & innovations developed by SEM’s early-stage township ventures to the rest of the African continent and the world.  

The companies share the same philosophy of creating “inclusive innovation” ecosystems, through sustainable socio-economic growth. This is why sustainable financing plays a crucial instrument in delivering long term strategies for growth. 

About Caban Investments Limited 

Caban Investments has extensive experience in the Financial Services sector, from fund administration to the introduction of unique investment products. Caban has more than 100 years of combined experience in the Financial Services Industry, primarily in the assistance of high growth firms. It is the organization’s belief that organizations can generate profits whilst having a positive impact on the environment and at the same time, uplifting people.

Caban Investments aims to generate sustainable financial returns, social capital for partners and Caban through exposure to high growth opportunities. Caban specializes in Corporate Finance Advisory and Transaction Services across a variety of sectors, typically focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa. The organization advises clients on all aspects of the transaction from conception through to completion.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of SA/UK federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will” and “expect” and similar statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements, including in this case the risk that a new program such as this partnership may not be successful or fully achieve the objectives of the participants.  Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Skill Exchange Makerspace and Caban Investments partnership agreement. We make those statements as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

Photo in this article is by uncoveredlens.