South Africa’s Bula Buka Publishers, the pioneering publisher and funder of diary chronicles, is set to launch a first-of-its-kind imprint fund in Africa.

Beginning in June 2025, the Black-owned company will embark on raising $2 million in its initial round to establish VentureBooks, a fund dedicated to BookTech, Intellectual Property (IP), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is to revolutionize the publishing industry by accelerating the production of evergreen, film-adaptable African stories while integrating AI to streamline processes and reduce costs.

Bridging the Gap: Talent, Technology, Market Demand, and Publisher Acquisitions

Bula Buka has uncovered a vast network of talented storytellers who have engaged thousands of readers yet remain unpublished. These writers require an agile publisher that can harness AI and rapid publishing techniques to efficiently bring their work to market.

Additionally, Bula Buka has identified thousands of high-potential African manuscripts with strong sales potential and adaptability for film and other media. Since 2017, the company has refined an innovative publishing model that transforms these works into multi-revenue assets, spanning books, films, games, and merchandise.

Beyond content creation, Bula Buka also has access to a pipeline of publishers seeking acquisition due to factors such as retirement or business exit. These acquisitions can be structured through various means, including seller-financed sales, providing strategic growth opportunities within the publishing ecosystem.

Acquiring and Producing 1,000 Film-Adaptable Titles

VentureBooks will focus on acquiring and publishing titles with a high probability of recurring revenue. This includes publishing new works and acquiring older titles with unrealized potential. AI will play a crucial role in fast-tracking the publication process, cutting costs, and enhancing efficiency.

Beyond book publishing, VentureBooks aims to develop Intellectual Property (IP) assets that can be adapted into various subsidiary products. These include adaptations into films, documentaries, and consumer merchandise. By utilizing AI, these processes will become significantly cheaper and more scalable.

The Role of AI in Publishing and Film

The launch of VentureBooks coincides with a global shift where AI is redefining content creation, publishing, and film production. Innovative startups such as Spines, Created by Humans, Inkitt, and Book.io are already transforming the industry by offering AI-powered manuscript editing, reader analytics, and content licensing.

Similarly, the rise of micro-dramas—short vertical films optimized for mobile devices—has taken Asia by storm. Platforms like Sereal Plus, Beetzeeplay, and ReelShort have pioneered this format, demonstrating its potential for mass consumption. VentureBooks intends to harness this trend, adapting the diary chronicle genre into AI-assisted micro-dramas that are both cost-effective and widely accessible.

Books as an Investment Class

Books are a unique and enduring investment asset. The Lindy Effect, a principle popularized by risk analyst and Black Swan author Nassim Taleb, suggests that the longer a book has been in circulation, the more likely it is to remain relevant in the future. Many of the unpublished and overlooked books discovered by Bula Buka have maintained a loyal readership, reinforcing their potential for recurring revenue.

Furthermore, books present a low-risk, high-upside investment. Unlike film production, where costs are recouped over several years, books typically recover their investment within months. With the right selection, a single title can achieve exponential success, selling hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of copies globally.

VentureBooks Investment Strategy and Classes

Primary Focus: Publishing and Licensing

VentureBooks’ core investment strategy centers on the publishing and licensing of high-potential books, leveraging a multi-pronged approach to maximize revenue and market reach. Key areas of focus include:

Acquiring and Developing High-Revenue Books

• Acquiring rights to previously published books with proven readership.
• Identifying and investing in new books with high revenue potential, determined by proprietary metrics.
• Partnering with publishing managers to run author accelerator programs, supporting emerging authors in creating commercially viable works. These managers will be compensated through a combination of base project salaries and royalties.

Publishing Celebrity and High-Profile Authors

• Collaborating with notable personalities and celebrities capable of driving significant sales, targeting a minimum of 10,000 copies sold within the first year of publication.

Expanding International Bestsellers into African Markets

• Licensing and adapting international best-selling books for distribution across diverse African regions, tapping into underserved markets with localized content.

Investment in Publishing Ecosystem Companies

VentureBooks will allocate capital to a range of businesses that strengthen the publishing value chain, including:

• Book Publishing Houses: Traditional and innovative publishers with strong market presence.
• Book Printing and Print-on-Demand Services: Scalable, cost-efficient printing solutions to meet demand.
• AI-Driven Publishing Ventures: Companies leveraging artificial intelligence for content creation, editing, and marketing.
• Distribution Networks: Firms enhancing the reach of physical and digital books across Africa and beyond.

AI Tool Development

To maintain a competitive edge, VentureBooks will invest in developing proprietary AI tools to:

• Streamline content creation processes for authors and publishers.
• Optimize licensing deals by analyzing market trends and audience preferences.
• Expand audience reach through data-driven marketing and distribution strategies.

A Decentralized Publishing Approach

Inspired by the success of Africa Eats, a Permanent Capital Vehicle (PCV) listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, VentureBooks adopts a decentralized investment model designed for long-term sustainability and growth. Key features include:

• Investing in Revenue-Generating Startups: Establishing and funding independent publishing houses, AI technology firms, printing companies, and distribution networks across Africa.
• Autonomous Operations: Each entity operates independently, minimizing systemic risks and encouraging innovation tailored to local markets.
• Permanent Capital Advantage: Unlike traditional corporate structures, this approach prioritizes resilience and adaptability, ensuring steady growth in the dynamic publishing industry.

Vision

VentureBooks aims to revolutionize the African publishing landscape by blending traditional publishing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a decentralized framework. By empowering authors, amplifying high-potential content, and building a robust ecosystem, VentureBooks seeks to create a sustainable, scalable, and innovative platform for literary success.

The State of African Publishing and Film

Market Insights

According to UNESCO, Africa’s population has grown from 283 million in 1960 to 1.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to increase by another 950 million by 2050. Simultaneously, literacy rates have risen from 60% to 69% between 2015 and 2023. These demographic trends create an expanding market for books and digital content.

In South Africa alone, local print book trade sales (excluding educational and academic books) increased from R64 million in 2020/21 to R82 million in 2021/22. Ebook sales skyrocketed from R8 million to R93 million during the same period. Despite these promising figures, many books remain unpublished or lack proper distribution channels. VentureBooks aims to bridge this gap.

The Future of African Publishing and IP

VentureBooks represents the next evolution of Bula Buka’s journey. The company’s foundation was built on innovation, pioneering the diary chronicle genre—a phenomenon that has captivated millions of readers across Africa, Europe, and North America. Titles like Diary of a Zulu Girl, Diary of a Side Chick Makhwapheni, and Diary of a Cheating Wife have demonstrated the power of localized storytelling with global appeal.

Looking ahead, the goal is to build Africa’s next global cultural franchises by acquiring and commercializing book-based IP that can be adapted into movies, games, and merchandise. A key aspect of this initiative is the vertical integration of AI, software, and printing infrastructure to streamline the production and distribution of these assets.

Investment Structure and Participation

VentureBooks will be structured as a Permanent Capital Vehicle (PCV), similar to Africa Eats and Enduring Ventures, ensuring long-term sustainability and asset protection. The investment will be managed through separate subsidiaries to allow for transparent operations and strategic growth.

Initial Investment by Bula Buka

Bula Buka and its partners will contribute between 100 and 1,000 manuscripts, valuing each at a discounted range of R10 thousandto R35 thousand ensuring a minimum contribution of at least R1 million.

Bula Buka and its partners will contribute between 100 and 1,000 manuscripts, each at a discounted acquisition value of between R10,000 and R35,000, amounting to a minimum initial investment of R1 million.

Management and Growth Strategy

A decentralized management approach will be adopted, with experienced publishing managers overseeing production targets. Advisors will be on call to provide strategic guidance. Investments in AI, printing, and distribution companies will be made based on proven execution capabilities of the founders or owners.

Exit Strategy

As a PCV, VentureBooks’ primary exit strategy will be share buybacks. Future considerations include a public listing in South Africa or Mauritius, following the model of Africa Eats. Additionally, private equity partial exits may be explored to provide liquidity while maintaining strategic control.

Investment Threshold

The investment threshold will be announced in June. Investors contributing less than the minimum amount will have the opportunity to participate through a special-purpose stokvel for VentureBooks. Further details will be outlined in the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM).

Join the Future of African Publishing

Bula Buka Publishers is committed to transforming the African publishing landscape by combining storytelling, AI, and smart investment strategies. The time to innovate and invest in Africa’s creative economy is now.

For more details or to express interest, please contact invest@bulabuka.co.za.