Johannesburg, South Africa — April 2025
Bula Buka Publishers, the South African powerhouse behind the diary chronicle genre, is set to launch VentureBooks, a revolutionary imprint fund aimed at reshaping African publishing through artificial intelligence, scalable IP, and next-gen storytelling.
Beginning June 2025, the Black-owned publisher will raise $2 million in its first round to acquire and develop 1,000 film-adaptable African books, build AI-powered publishing tools, and scale high-value intellectual property into books, film, games, and merchandise.
A New Era for African Stories
Bula Buka has spent years uncovering unpublished gems and online serials from African writers with devoted audiences. Many of these manuscripts have strong commercial potential and lend themselves easily to film and digital formats. VentureBooks will fast-track their path to market—transforming raw talent into investable creative assets.
Bula Buka’s model has already proven itself through viral titles like Diary of a Zulu Girl, Diary of a Side Chick Makhwapheni, and Diary of a Cheating Wife, which have amassed millions of readers across Africa, Europe, and North America.
The Future of Film Is Cheaper—and More African
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.
AI will also be used to fast-track book production, support manuscript development, and enhance marketing with reader analytics and trend forecasting.
Books as a Scalable Investment Class
Books are a low-risk, high-upside asset class. Most recover investment within months and generate long-tail revenue through print, ebooks, and IP licensing. According to the Lindy Effect, the longer a book lasts, the more likely it will continue to generate revenue over time. VentureBooks positions African books as evergreen assets for global media ecosystems.
A Platform for Publishing and IP Innovation
VentureBooks’ strategy includes:
Acquiring rights to new and existing high-potential titles with long-term sales potential.
Publishing celebrity and high-profile authors capable of generating exponential sales.
Licensing international bestsellers for underserved African markets.
Partnering with author accelerator managers, compensated through royalties and project fees.
Beyond books, VentureBooks will invest in publishing infrastructure—including AI tools, printing networks, digital distribution, and publishing houses across Africa.
A Permanent Capital Model for Long-Term Growth
Structured as a Permanent Capital Vehicle (PCV)—similar to Africa Eats and Enduring Ventures—VentureBooks combines the scalability of a startup with the sustainability of long-term capital. It will operate as a trading company, generating revenue from day one while backing decentralized subsidiaries in publishing, AI, and IP development.
Initial contributions from Bula Buka and its partners will include 100 to 1,000 manuscripts, valued between R10,000 and R35,000 each—totalling a minimum R1 million in initial investment.
Join the Next Chapter in African Publishing
With VentureBooks, Bula Buka is creating more than a fund—it’s building a platform for Africa’s next generation of literary and cultural franchises. By merging storytelling, smart capital, and intelligent tools, VentureBooks is where the future of African publishing begins.
To invest or partner with us: invest@bulabuka.co.za
Bula Buka Publishers – Shaping Stories. Building IP. Scaling Africa.