About Kinjani

From spark to scale to summit.

Kinjani emerged from a need to connect Africa's science-based innovators with the knowledge and funding to take them from spark to scale to summit.

We support projects in agriculture, restorative mining, urbanisation, and manufacturing that build durable, life-giving systems — empowering our continent's innovators to lead the global shift toward regenerative industry with capital, community, and credibility.

Caitlin Wale with Lion's Head behind her

A founder laughing at a Kinjani programme evening

The Kinjani team walking together below Lion's Head

Two founders working together on laptops

A speaker addressing the room at a Kinjani programme

A wall sign reading Get Used To Different

Lion's Head and the Atlantic coastline at golden hour

Our values

Homegrown
Symbiotic
Collaborative
Science Driven
Polycultural

By Africa, for Africa. We support local talent and nurture solutions that respond to the continent's realities. At Kinjani, we believe that innovation rooted in local context drives relevance, resilience, and long-term impact — so our approach blends global insight with African ingenuity, cross-pollinated, never copy-pasted.

Inspired by nature, we pursue steady, sustainable progress that challenges traditional venture capital models. Our approach nurtures businesses that give back more than they take, like a thriving ecosystem, and we aim to cultivate holistic, non-extractive, and resilient growth for humans and non-humans alike.

We build networks that support founders from spark to summit, fostering collaboration and collective progress. Kinjani empowers innovators by connecting knowledge, sharing resources, and strengthening capacity — transformation happens when minds and resources unite through community.

True innovation starts with proven science, so our work is grounded in rigorous, cutting-edge research that turns breakthroughs into practical ventures. Kinjani invests in physical infrastructure and lab time to validate solutions that address Africa's toughest challenges.

At Kinjani, we see diverse ideas, disciplines, and perspectives as essential tools for unlocking Africa's full innovative potential. That's why we shape our vibrant ecosystem with a wide spectrum of founders, uplifting underrepresented voices and opening doors for those who are often overlooked.

The heart

The Team

Caitlin Wale

Founder & CEO

Caitlin has spent her career at the intersection of engineering, climate, and capital. A South African civil engineer by training, she moved from mine rehabilitation to advising architects on low-carbon systems in London, followed by roles in ESG strategy and carbon removal funding at Octopus Investments and Counteract. Caitlin returned to South Africa to launch Kinjani, catalysing local founders building globally relevant climate solutions.

David Rabinowitz

Operations Partner

David brings over eight years of experience in early-stage hardware and deep-tech investment, supporting founders to scale technical ventures and raise follow-on capital. He has designed accelerator programmes and developed financing structures suited to science-driven businesses. With a background as a Solutions Architect, he builds the operational systems and infrastructure behind Kinjani's investment and venture-building platform.

Hayley Mole

Venture Partner

Hayley specialises in impact and private market investments. In her last role as VP at Flat World Partners in NYC, she led fund manager due diligence for global clients. With roots in South African agribusiness, she holds a BSc in Genetics from Stellenbosch and a Master's in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. She also serves as President of the Young Investors Organisation, a 1,700-member global network.

The network