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WHAT WE DO
Synapt are business creators, builders and fixers.
We apply inspiration, experience and determination to transform ideas into commercial substance.
WHAT WE DO
SYNAPT ARE BUSINESS CREATORS, BUILDERS AND FIXERS.
Our purpose is to develop businesses of substance of which we can be proud. We do this by:
• Developing new business ideas from proof-of-concept to a sustainable level
• Acquiring or partnering in distressed or healthy businesses that show particular promise or will complement others
• Partnering with other investors/businesses to develop opportunities or troubleshoot problems, taking a stake in the success
We bring different strengths. As a team, we have the right mix of imagination, passion experience, values and temperament to build and improve businesses, whether by pursuing opportunities or turning around underperforming or distressed organisations.
getWorth
We have developed a novel take on buying and selling
of high-end assets, commencing with premium cars. We seek to
disrupt certain markets with a blend of trust and transparency,
lean fees and innovative products. We have commenced trading
and will progressively add products.
Collections
We are performing end-to-end outsourced debt collection services for various clients in the transport industry, supported by tailored software and call centres. The contracts include strategic consultancy and sharing in the risk and success of the collection initiatives.
The values of the debtors’ books are substantial, running into many hundreds of millions of Rands.
Transport Data
We are running tests of transport data against various other data sets, seeking valuable associations of behavioural traits such as payment, credit and risk profiling that can be commercialised. Initial outcomes are promising.
Solar Finance
Photovoltaic solar energy in South Africa has reached a pivotal point, but funding to match the upfront capital investment with the longer-term payback is a constraint. We are developing innovative financial products to support the funding of solar projects.
Machine Learning
The availability of more accessible and effective deep learning / neural network tools and techniques has created opportunities for medium-scale businesses to join the Googles and Facebooks of the world in benefiting from this exciting technology. We are establishing an expert implementation business, with a bias for risk-sharing commercial models.
Advisory & Directorship
We provide various clients with business advisory services that include a focus on strategic outcomes, commercial management and sustainability, financial management and change management.
We are a highly experienced team and are actively interested in
Non-Executive Director roles.
Financial Management
Start-up companies are generally healthily stocked with passion and technical expertise, but lack effective financial input to support their decision-making and high growth. We have established a joint venture with a credible partner to provide cost effective end-to-end financial management services, including the critical Financial Director functions and strategic commercial services.
Turnaround
We are actively looking for distressed businesses that meet our
criteria for a successful turnaround. Please contact us for a
discreet and confidential discussion.
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WHAT WE'RE DOING
WHAT WE'VE DONE
Managed companies with up to 2,000 employees, including CEO-level roles with full executive responsibility for all aspects
of the business.
Leadership and
Execution
Lead architects and business development for greenfield mega-projects in the South African transport technology space. These culminated in the successful award of design-
build-operate contracts
of R10 billion (largest of its kind globally) and R300 million
(a first of its kind in South Africa) respectively.
Business
development
Established multiple business and projects from concept to steady state. These include TxPoint,
Vehicle Data Services, Mark Eden Management, Pinnacle Solutions, Fresh Connection and Unique Building Projects.
Entrepreneurship
Investigated and established business structures in more than
20 countries to support contracts or operations in technology services, international marine contracting and technical
product distribution.
Corporate
and Commercial structuring
" Good ideas are common -
what's uncommon are people
who'll work hard enough
to bring them about."
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Led the turnaround of a contracting company in distress, achieving a R500 million turn from loss to profit in 18 months. This was complex and multifaceted, with contractual, financial, technical, operations restructuring,
socio-political pressures and labour interests all playing
a strong part.
Turnarounds
Led the establishment of a
1 billion US Dollar international syndicated finance facility in order to refinance a fleet of ships
at attractive rates and to
provide a funding line for a
new-build program.
Financial
Led a major credit business, melding bureau profile products, analytic and decision models, credit vetting and risk models and collection methods into bespoke client and industry services
and products.
Credit
Bid, negotiated, closed and managed major contracts in various industries, including marine services and vessel charters, transport technology
and services. Value ranged up to
R10 billion, duration up to 10 years and complex forms including design, build, operate and maintain contracts.
Contracting
MEET THE TEAM
Mark Ridgway
Jamie Surkont
Colin Morgan