Meet The Team

Advencap was established following the success of the strategic partnership behind Vumatel, South Africa’s first and largest fibre-to-the-home network. This success sparked a unified vision: to back companies driving the next wave of digital infrastructure.

The founding partners, seasoned investors and industry veterans, have worked together successfully for over a decade, leveraging deep domain expertise to identify high-potential opportunities and actively support the growth of exceptional businesses.

Niel

Schoeman

Advencap Partner

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Niel Schoeman

Advencap Partner
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering (University of Stellenbosch)

Niel is a founding partner of Advencap and, as a founder of multiple digital infrastructure businesses, brings extensive expertise in the establishment, growth, management, and exit of investments within the sector. As the co-founder and former CEO, Niel established Vumatel in 2014, which pioneered fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) in South Africa and remains the country’s largest FTTH player.​ Vumatel was later sold to CIVH in 2019. Prior to Vumatel, Niel co-founded Conduct Telecommunications, later acquired by Dark Fibre Africa, which was instrumental in developing South Africa’s fibre optic backbone. Niel was also the co-founder and chairman of The Birchman Group, an international technology consulting firm.

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Joe

Pretorius

Advencap Partner

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Joe Pretorius

Advencap Partner
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (University of Pretoria)

Johan “Joe” is a serial entrepreneur and founding partner of Advencap. As a founder of multiple businesses in this sector, he understands the intricacies that make digital infrastructure businesses a success. He is best known for co-founding Vumatel, South Africa’s leading fibre-to-the-home provider, which was successfully sold to CIVH in 2019. Prior to Vumatel, Joe co-founded and held the role as CEO of Conduct Telecommunications, which developed key fibre optic infrastructure in South Africa and was later acquired by Dark Fibre Africa. He was also previously a director of the Birchman Group, an international technology consulting firm, and held senior roles at global chemicals and energy company, Sasol.

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Richard

Tunstall

Advencap Partner

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Richard Tunstall

Advencap Partner
Bachelor of Business Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (UCT), CA (SA), CFA, Harvard Business School Alumni

Richard is a founding partner of Advencap and brings a wealth of experience in private equity and the TMT sector, having played a pivotal role in the growth and exit of Vumatel, South Africa’s largest fibre-to-the-home business. His career includes senior roles at the Bud Group of Companies and Investec Private Equity, where he primarily focused on technology and infrastructure investments, including a tenure as Non-Executive Director at Vumatel, and CMC Networks, during which time he represented Investec Equity Partners in the sale of CMC Networks to The Carlyle Group.

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Andrew

Parker

Advencap Partner

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Andrew Parker

Advencap Partner
Bachelor of Accounting (University of Stellenbosch), Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (UCT), CA (SA)

As one of Advencap’s founding partners, Andrew has played an instrumental role in the rollout of the firm’s UK fibre investment strategy, leading the charge on its EMEA data centre investments, and being integrally involved in various other investment processes across the EMEA region. He has also previously held senior roles in leading firms, including the Bud Group of Companies, Investec Private Equity and Investec Investment Banking. At Bud Group, he served as Head of Treasury as well as playing an instrumental role in the corporate finance strategy of the group, demonstrating strong leadership and financial expertise. His deep understanding of both corporate finance and investment strategies has equipped him with a comprehensive skill set, making him a key player in the industry.

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Alexa

Ward Able

Credit Fund Professional

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Alexa Ward Able

Credit Fund Professional
Bachelor of Accounting (cum laude) (University of Stellenbosch), Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (UCT), CA (SA)

Alexa has over 15 years work experience, including 10 years as a senior investment professional in the Private Capital division of Investec Bank, providing bespoke capital solutions across the capital stack to private businesses, 3 years of accounting/auditing experience at PwC (South Africa and New York) in the Technology, Information, Communication and Entertainment division, as well as other roles including CFO of an online education business.

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Jessica

Rockey

Investment Professional

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Jessica Rockey

Investment Professional
Bachelor of Business Science (Finance & Accounting) (UCT), Bachelor of Accounting Honours (UCT)

Jessica brings over 8 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and finance. She previously held a role in Investec Bank’s M&A team, where she focused on transactions in the TMT and consumer sectors, advising blue-chip corporates. Her expertise also extends to capital raisings, public listings, and business development.

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Simon

Atlas

Investment Professional

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Simon Atlas

Investment Professional
Masters in Business Administration (University of Cambridge), Bachelor of Architecture (UCT)

Simon Atlas has amassed over 10 years of experience in the digital infrastructure sector. He spent a number of years in senior roles at Vumatel, where he played a key part in the company’s accelerated growth phase, pioneering fibre-to-the-home in South Africa. Simon’s expertise spans operations, business development, and implementation, where he contributed significantly to Vumatel’s success in expanding high-speed broadband access across the country.

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Advencap is a global alternative asset manager focused on providing bespoke capital solutions to visionary entrepreneurs and management teams building the foundational digital infrastructure of tomorrow.

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