Key Takeaways
- • OneBio Venture Studio secured a ZAR 20 million (USD 1.16 million) grant to scale commercialization of African biotech research and expand operations into key African markets.
- • The Cape Town-based venture studio, founded in 2018 and led by Michael Fichardt, Nick Walker, and Gian-Marco Melfi, operates a hybrid model combining venture capital with hands-on startup creation, backing 16 ventures since inception.
- • Portfolio track record reflects high-risk deep tech environment: eight exits achieved against six portfolio company shutdowns, with commercially promising companies including LifeQ and CapeBio demonstrating viability despite African infrastructure and funding constraints.
- • Grant funding will directly support new venture creation and acceleration within OneBio's portfolio, addressing capital scarcity in African biotech ecosystems.
Summary
OneBio Venture Studio, a South Africa-based biotech venture studio headquartered in Cape Town, has secured ZAR 20 million (USD 1.16 million) in grant funding to accelerate the commercialization of African biotech research and scale its operations across the continent. The funding represents a significant capital infusion for a venture creation platform operating in a region characterized by substantial infrastructure and capital constraints.
Founded in 2018, OneBio operates a differentiated hybrid model that merges traditional venture capital investment with direct hands-on startup creation and incubation. The venture studio is led by founders Michael Fichardt, Nick Walker, and Gian-Marco Melfi. Since its launch, the platform has seeded and backed 16 ventures across the African biotech landscape. The portfolio has generated eight successful exits, though six ventures have also shut down, illustrating the inherent risk profile associated with early-stage deep technology ventures in emerging markets.
Despite the challenging operating environment, several portfolio companies have demonstrated commercial traction and market viability. Notable portfolio companies include LifeQ and CapeBio, which represent the venture studio's ability to identify and nurture viable biotech opportunities. The newly secured grant will be deployed to support the creation of additional ventures and accelerate portfolio company growth, addressing a critical gap in early-stage venture funding for African biotech entrepreneurs. The capital will enable OneBio to expand into additional African markets and scale its venture creation and commercialization infrastructure.
Founded in 2018, OneBio operates a differentiated hybrid model that merges traditional venture capital investment with direct hands-on startup creation and incubation. The venture studio is led by founders Michael Fichardt, Nick Walker, and Gian-Marco Melfi. Since its launch, the platform has seeded and backed 16 ventures across the African biotech landscape. The portfolio has generated eight successful exits, though six ventures have also shut down, illustrating the inherent risk profile associated with early-stage deep technology ventures in emerging markets.
Despite the challenging operating environment, several portfolio companies have demonstrated commercial traction and market viability. Notable portfolio companies include LifeQ and CapeBio, which represent the venture studio's ability to identify and nurture viable biotech opportunities. The newly secured grant will be deployed to support the creation of additional ventures and accelerate portfolio company growth, addressing a critical gap in early-stage venture funding for African biotech entrepreneurs. The capital will enable OneBio to expand into additional African markets and scale its venture creation and commercialization infrastructure.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.