Jaco Burger

Background

About Jaco Burger

I am a seasoned venture builder with over two decades of experience in taking new ventures from idea to commercialization across various sectors, ranging from traditional service businesses to high-growth tech ventures. My journey began as a high-performance conditioning coach for junior tennis players, which quickly transitioned to coaching professionals on the ATP World Tennis Tour. Over the past 15 years, I have been deeply immersed in the start-up ecosystem, serving in various roles including Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, General Manager and Head of Marketing of multiple ventures. This hands-on experience has honed my understanding of the delicate balance between creativity, methodical planning, exceptional team building, flawless execution, and unwavering perseverance. My passion lies in merging proven methodologies with personal experience to build successful entrepreneurial ventures. I bring a unique blend of streetwise venture building expertise, an internationally recognized MBA, which enabled me to connect the dots between theory and practice. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand that building ventures requires both art and science, encompassing tangible metrics and intangible elements that shape the journey. My time at Stellenbosch University as Director of Commercial Strategic Projects further enhanced my skills in research, structured approaches, and agile commercialization, while preserving my ability to foster creativity, innovation, and validation. In addition to my entrepreneurial pursuits, coaching has always been at the core of my professional journey. From mentoring professional athletes to guiding fellow entrepreneurs, I am passionate about empowering individuals and teams to reach their fullest potential. By combining my start-up knowledge, venture building experience, and coaching expertise, I offer valuable support through coaching, mentoring, and venture building. I am inspired by the transformative power of entrepreneurship and driven by the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Let's connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive growth, innovation, and success in the start-up ecosystem.