Mission
Build homegrown, inclusive technology companies that prove African innovation can be designed, operated and exported from the inside out.
About
A venture studio built from Pretoria, for the world.
TEAM AF is a Pretoria-based venture studio building technology products, companies and social impact ventures across Africa — product design, AI consulting, luxury retail and classic car brokerage.
Vision
A studio whose ventures — commercial and social — set the standard for accessible, data-led product work across the Sub-Saharan market.
Model
Venture studio: we found and operate companies, partner with organisations on product and AI, and run B2B technology trade operations.
Founder
Nikhil Keolan Gounden
Founder & Principal, TEAM AF
Product & Growth · UX Systems & Accessibility
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Music & releasesView the artist pageNikhil Keolan Gounden is the founder and principal of TEAM AF, based in Pretoria. He holds a Bachelor of Design from Inscape (2023–2025), with a focus on Ideation Design and Digital Ecosystem Strategy. His work spans UX/UI, product development, digital content, websites and growth strategy.
His experience includes creative and digital internship work at The Oaks Creative Agency (2024–2025), supporting marketing campaigns, content creation, brand development and client projects. Alongside TEAM AF client and personal projects, he serves as Product & Growth Lead at Copa Habana and is recognised in the Top 500 Global Tech Leaders on Crunchbase.
He also serves as Chief Technology Officer & Director (Advisory) at Youth Disability Talk Out, contributing to accessible digital learning and inclusive technology. His practice connects design thinking, project coordination and practical digital production.
Experience
Roles and appointments
2021 — Present
Founder & Principal
TEAM AF · Venture Studio
Leads TEAM AF venture projects, websites, digital content and growth strategy for clients and personal projects.
2026 — Present
Product & Growth Lead
Copa Habana · 6 Locations
Leads digital product management, client engagement architecture, and multi-location growth operations across six locations, endorsed by owner Phillip Antoniades for operational excellence.
2025 — Present
Lead Tech & Director
Youth Disability Talk Out · NPC
Contributes accessible technology and digital learning platforms to Youth Disability Talk Out in an advisory leadership role.
2024 — 2025
Creative & Digital Intern
The Oaks Creative Agency · Johannesburg
Delivered UX/UI interface design for financial platforms, created digital client marketing campaigns, and built high-performance responsive brand assets in a fast-paced agency environment.
Timeline
Studio milestones
2016
The practice begins
Product development, UX/UI, AI, Web3 and civil infrastructure work across global freelance engagements.
2021
A Reason To Feel founded
The studio is founded in Pretoria, Gauteng as a digital innovation practice.
2025
Provides support to YDTO
Accessibility design work with Youth Disability Talk Out; inclusive LMS courses designed and launched.
2025
TEAM AF
The studio becomes TEAM AF and formalises B2B technology trade operations for the Sub-Saharan market.
2026
CTO appointment
Founder appointed Chief Technology Officer and Director (advisory) at Youth Disability Talk Out.
Have something worth building?
Tell us what you are trying to launch, fix or scale. We will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it.