Mauritius-based investment firm Silverbacks Holdings has purchased a significant minority position in South African sports technology business NERGii, which makes performance-enhancing shoe insoles. The deal, which was announced on August 7 in Cape Town, is Silverbacks’ latest move into Africa’s growing sports and technology industries.
NERGii’s main offering is an advanced insole that naturally activates mitochondria, acting as a biological wearable battery. The company says its technology boosts mitochondrial activity, which gives the body more energy and helps both amateur and expert athletes perform better.
Silverbacks Holdings Executive Chairman Ibrahim Sagna says the investment fits the company’s portfolio. Mr. Sagna said NERGii is well-positioned to solve consumer pain points, improve health and wellness, and disrupt the quickly increasing sector.
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Silverbacks’ Strategic Move in Sports Investment
Silverbacks will join NERGii’s board of directors as part of the firm’s aim to promote rapidly growing sports firms. Silverbacks want to promote NERGii’s present and future goods across Africa and beyond.
NERGii creator Iain Banner welcomed the partnership. “For over 150 years, man has lost so much of his innate intuition,” Banner stated. “NERGii uses quantum energy to help users ‘switch on naturally’.”
Silverbacks Holdings, founded in 2019, invests in African sports, internet, media, and lifestyle companies. Since its founding, the firm has had six profitable exits and targets 3–5 times investment returns. The portfolio includes approximately 240 African companies worth over $10 billion.
Two notable ventures made by Silverbacks include Forever7 Entertainment, which was successful in selling two African films to Netflix, and the Cape Town Tigers, a basketball team that advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Basketball Africa League competition. The company has also backed Moove, an African-born global mobility fintech recently endorsed by Uber.
Silverbacks invest in assisting entrepreneurs in maintaining market supremacy, accelerating organizational maturity, expanding reach, and gaining liquidity and financial flexibility. Youth employment and gender equality are essential priorities for the company.
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About Silverbacks Holdings
Mauritius-based investment firm Silverbacks Holdings is renowned for its strategic investments across various sectors, focusing on innovation and growth. Established with a vision to drive economic development and foster entrepreneurial success, Silverbacks Holdings is pivotal in supporting emerging businesses and cutting-edge technologies. The firm has carved a niche in identifying high-potential opportunities, particularly in sports technology, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Silverbacks Holdings prides itself on its deep understanding of market dynamics and its ability to leverage this insight to generate substantial returns on investment. By partnering with dynamic companies and visionary entrepreneurs, the firm aims to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies and enhance their market presence. Its investment approach combines rigorous analysis with a hands-on management style, ensuring each investment is strategically aligned with long-term value creation.
The firm’s commitment to fostering innovation is evident in its recent acquisition of a stake in the African sports-tech firm NERGii, which exemplifies its dedication to supporting transformative technologies in emerging markets. Through such investments, Silverbacks Holdings continues to build a diverse and impactful portfolio, driving progress and contributing to the broader economic landscape.