Grow your business,
master every move.
Grow your business,
master every move.
Grow your business,
master every move.
We partner with businesses to unlock their potential through strategic advisory and tailored financial solutions. From assessing capital needs to capital raising and M&A, we deliver measurable outcomes that last
We partner with businesses to unlock their potential through strategic advisory and tailored financial solutions. From assessing capital needs to capital raising and M&A, we deliver measurable outcomes that last
We partner with businesses to unlock their potential through strategic advisory and tailored financial solutions. From assessing capital needs to capital raising and M&A, we deliver measurable outcomes that last
The Growth Factor prioritises people and relationships. Leveraging our extensive advisory experience & strong network of institutional investors to help business growth, navigate financial challenges and implement custom strategies for lasting success.
The Growth Factor prioritises people and relationships. Leveraging our extensive advisory experience & strong network of institutional investors to help business growth, navigate financial challenges and implement custom strategies for lasting success.
Everything in one place
We deliver flexible, results-orientated solutions tailored to your business. Our comprehensive, custom strategies pave the way for enduring success and long-term value creation.
Capital Raising
Guiding businesses through the full fundraising lifecycle - assessing their capital needs and optimal capital structures for sustainable growth and improved performance
Transaction Advisory
End-to-end M&A guidance across strategy, valuation, due diligence, and closing, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish
Strategy, Advisory
& CFO Services
Develop and implement tailored solutions for sustainable value creation - without the cost of a full-time hire
Everything in
one place
We deliver flexible, results-orientated solutions tailored to your business. Our comprehensive, custom strategies pave the way for enduring success and long-term value creation.
Capital Raising
Guiding businesses through the full fundraising lifecycle - assessing their capital needs and optimal capital structures for sustainable growth and improved performance
Transaction Advisory
End-to-end M&A guidance across strategy, valuation, due diligence, and closing, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish
Strategy, Advisory
& CFO Services
Develop and implement tailored solutions for sustainable value creation - without the cost of a full-time hire
Why we’re the right choice
We combine proven expertise, a relationship-first approach, and strong networks to help your business grow with confidence.
40+ projects
Completed to date
R3.5b+
In total transaction value
20+ years
Of sector expertise leveraged into practical results.
40+ projects
Completed to date
R3.5b+
In total transaction value
20+ years
Of sector expertise leveraged into practical results.
Why we’re the
right choice
We combine proven expertise, a relationship-first approach, and strong networks to help your business grow with confidence.
40+ projects
Completed to date
R3.5b+
In total transaction value
20+ years
Of sector expertise leveraged into practical results.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team combines a proven track record with a relationship-first approach to deliver measurable results
Our dedicated team combines a proven track record with a relationship-first approach to deliver measurable results
James Smart
Founder at The Growth Factor
James Smart (CA) SA is the founder of The Growth Factor, bringing over 30 years of experience in finance, strategy, and business consulting. Earlier in his career, James served as Group Financial Director at FCB South Africa, where he oversaw major acquisitions and corporate finance transactions that drove the group’s expansion. He later led Smart Business Consulting and was a founding shareholder of Forward Finance, which has disbursed more than R6.5 billion to farmers across South Africa. With deep expertise in strategy, business structuring, and financial leadership, James helps businesses unlock value and achieve sustainable growth.
James Smart
Founder at The Growth Factor
James Smart (CA) SA is the founder of The Growth Factor, bringing over 30 years of experience in finance, strategy, and business consulting. Earlier in his career, James served as Group Financial Director at FCB South Africa, where he oversaw major acquisitions and corporate finance transactions that drove the group’s expansion. He later led Smart Business Consulting and was a founding shareholder of Forward Finance, which has disbursed more than R6.5 billion to farmers across South Africa. With deep expertise in strategy, business structuring, and financial leadership, James helps businesses unlock value and achieve sustainable growth.
Stefan Van Vuuren
Associate at The Growth Factor
Stefan Janse van Vuuren, CFA is a finance professional with experience across private equity, corporate finance, and wealth management. At Oceanrock Consulting, he worked as a Private Equity Analyst, supporting capital raises, financial modelling, and investment due diligence for mid-market businesses across multiple sectors. He previously served as a Wealth Manager at Brenthurst Wealth, managing client portfolios and conducting fund analysis. Stefan holds a BCom (Hons) in Financial Analysis and is a CFA charterholder, bringing strong analytical, strategic, and valuation expertise to The Growth Factor
Stefan Van Vuuren
Associate at The Growth Factor
Stefan Janse van Vuuren, CFA is a finance professional with experience across private equity, corporate finance, and wealth management. At Oceanrock Consulting, he worked as a Private Equity Analyst, supporting capital raises, financial modelling, and investment due diligence for mid-market businesses across multiple sectors. He previously served as a Wealth Manager at Brenthurst Wealth, managing client portfolios and conducting fund analysis. Stefan holds a BCom (Hons) in Financial Analysis and is a CFA charterholder, bringing strong analytical, strategic, and valuation expertise to The Growth Factor
Success You Can See
Success You
Can See
We build lasting partnerships that deliver measurable growth. From capital raising to business transformation, The Growth Factor helps clients unlock value and achieve sustainable success
We build lasting partnerships that deliver measurable growth. From capital raising to business transformation, The Growth Factor helps clients unlock value and achieve sustainable success
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Debt Programme
Agri-Lender
Institutional Capital Raise
Structured R400m 5-year debt programme with SA institutional investor, strengthening the client's funding lines
Long-Term Value
R320m Debt Secured
Development Capital Raise
Structured R320m long-term debt with SA institutional investor for a greenfield macadamia processing plant
R450m LBO
Sell-side Mandate
Leveraged Buyout
Represented the sell-side on a R450m leveraged buyout of a shipping and logistics business
Sell-side Mandate
US Acquisition
Sell-side Advisory
Represented the sell-side on a R145m sale to a US holding company
Get in touch!
With a proven track record and strong network, The Growth Factor is ready to help your business.
Get in touch!
With a proven track record and strong network, The Growth Factor is ready to help your business.
Get in touch!
With a proven track record and strong network, The Growth Factor is ready to help your business.