By Andrew Maren, Founder and CEO of ProfitShare Partners
In 2017, ProfitShare Partners set out to solve one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: access to funding for small businesses. Eight years and over R1.2 billion in funding later, we’re celebrating the incredible growth of our clients, the resilience of South African entrepreneurs, and the transformational impact of an inclusive funding model that puts people before paperwork.
Reimagining Finance for Real Economic Participation
Too many promising SMEs are locked out of the traditional finance system — not because they lack ability, but because they lack assets, credit history, or time in business. That’s where ProfitShare Partners comes in.
Our model is different: we fund high-potential entrepreneurs based on transactions, not balance sheets. Whether it’s a purchase order, a supply chain contract, or a project delivery, we help SMEs fulfil deals, grow their revenues, and scale their businesses – fast.
“Our clients have grown by hundreds of percent in a single year,” says CEO and Founder, Andrew Maren. “They’re creating jobs, transforming their communities, and proving that South African SMEs are an engine of growth if given the right support.”
The Numbers Speak Volumes
- R1.2 billion+ paid out to SMEs
- 292% average annual portfolio growth
- 1,000%+ growth for several individual clients in under 12 months
- R10 billion+ in funding applications received
- 90%+ of funded businesses are owned by previously disadvantaged individuals
These numbers don’t just reflect success — they reflect impact. They represent business owners who got their big break, communities with new job opportunities, and a financial system slowly shifting toward fairness.
Funding Potential, Not Paperwork
At ProfitShare Partners, we back entrepreneurs who have the hustle, the contracts, and the network — even if they don’t have collateral or perfect credit records.
“We believe in democratising access to capital,” says Maren. “That means saying yes to potential. That’s how you build a new kind of economy.”
Scaling for Africa’s Future
Eight years in, and we’re just getting started. With enhanced AI-driven systems, a powerful fintech platform, and a growing network of partners, ProfitShare Partners is now setting its sights on scaling across the continent.
New innovations in embedded finance and smarter decision-making tools are enabling us to reach more SMEs, faster — helping to close the funding gap and empower a new generation of African entrepreneurs.
Join Us on the Journey
As we celebrate this milestone, we thank every client, partner, and team member who has walked this road with us. Together, we’ve built more than a funding platform — we’ve built a movement. And the best is still to come.
