In a move that strategically aligns with their existing portfolio and expertise, Silverbacks Holdings, a private investment firm focused on Africa-related businesses in underserved industries, has invested in NERGii, a South African company that provides innovative products to recreational and professional athletes.
NERGii’s flagship product is a cutting-edge performance-enhancing shoe insole designed to naturally activate mitochondria, functioning as a biological wearable battery that increases energy availability within the body. This technology is poised to not only elevate the performance of athletes but also address common pain points experienced by consumers.
This investment underscores Silverbacks Holdings’ commitment to supporting businesses in the burgeoning African sports sector. The investment grants Silverbacks a significant minority stake in NERGii, along with a seat on the company’s board of directors. Through this partnership, Silverbacks Holdings aims to play a key role in fueling NERGii’s growth trajectory across Africa and beyond.
“Silverbacks’ investment in NERGii aligns perfectly with our existing portfolio and expertise within sports, tech, and lifestyle-related businesses,” said Ibrahim Sagna, Executive Chairman of Silverbacks Holdings. “This partnership allows us to leverage our robust platform and resources to effectively promote NERGii’s current and future innovative products. NERGii is ideally positioned to address consumer pain points, improve health and wellness, and disrupt the rapidly growing market they operate in,” he added.
Iain Banner, Founder of NERGii, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to have Silverbacks onboard as a crucial partner in our new venture. For over 150 years, humans have lost touch with their innate potential. By harnessing a concept they refer to as ‘quantum energy,’ NERGii aims to empower its users to ‘switch on naturally.’ People worldwide are seeking to enhance their health and performance, and we are here to help them achieve that naturally,” Banner said.
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Mauritius, Silverbacks Holdings is a private investment firm specializing in fostering the growth of sports, tech, media, and lifestyle-related businesses across Africa. The firm targets an attractive return on investment, typically ranging from 3x to 5x their initial investment. Since its inception, Silverbacks Holdings has achieved a remarkable track record, boasting six profitable exits.
While maintaining a core portfolio of approximately twelve direct investments, Silverbacks Holdings’ broader portfolio encompasses over 240 African companies with a combined valuation exceeding $10 billion. Some of their most notable investments include the Cape Town Tigers, a semi-finalist team in the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) tournament of the NBA, Forever7 Entertainment, a company that successfully sold two African movies to Netflix, and Moove, an African-born, global mobility fintech company recently backed by Uber.
Silverbacks Holdings goes beyond simply providing financial backing. They claim to actively assist founders in achieving market dominance, accelerating corporate growth, expanding their reach, and securing access to liquidity and financial flexibility. .