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Sam Paddock

Entrepreneur; Investor; Family Man

Sam Paddock is an entrepreneur, investor, and family man based in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.1 He has a diverse background in business and technology, with experience in various industries.

Professional Experience

Sam Paddock is currently an investor at JEFF Fitness, a role he has held since November 2020.1 Prior to this, he has had several notable positions:

  • Founder and CEO of GetSmarter (2008-2018)
  • Investor and Director at Hubble Studios (2012-2023)
  • Investor and Director at Yuppiechef (2019-2022)
  • Director at Getwine (2005-2012)

Entrepreneurial Journey

Paddock's entrepreneurial journey began during his university years. He co-founded GetSmarter, an online education company, which he led for over a decade before it was acquired by 2U Inc. in 2017 for $103 million.12 After the acquisition, he briefly served as a Senior Advisor to 2U and GetSmarter management teams.

Education

Sam Paddock holds a BBusSci in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town, where he graduated first in his Information Systems Honours class.1 He has also completed courses in Strategic Business Management and Values Based Leadership at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business.

Personal Life

Paddock is married to Keri and is a father to twins, Violet and Fletcher.12 He is currently on sabbatical, exploring AI and commercializing Drakenskloof Sanctuary while supporting South African entrepreneurs.2

Recognition

Sam Paddock has received recognition for his entrepreneurial achievements, including:

  • Featured on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine in September 2015
  • Named in Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans List in June 20131

Sam Paddock's LinkedIn username is indeed sampaddock, where he shares insights and updates about his professional journey and interests.1

Highlights

Apr 3 · linkedin

Searching for an Executive Assistant

If you know of exceptional people who fit this role description, please help me find them!

After an excellent 6-year association with Zita Devine, I am searching for a service-oriented, highly organised Executive Assistant to support me, my Family Office and my family. This role demands a proactive approach to managing a wide range of responsibilities, from project, property and office management to personal and family logistics. The ideal candidate will give me confidence that they will get ahead of me, develop a reputation for exceptional service to me and my Family Office team, and seamlessly integrate into our personal and professional lives. Discretion and confidentiality are paramount. The role is based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Click here for more on key responsibilities, skills and qualifications and to apply:

https://lnkd.in/eaybVr6h

Feb 7 · linkedin

I didn’t know what the word ”entrepreneurship” meant until I was in my 2nd year at University. Since then, it has defined much of my life. I have a hunger for it. I’ve met the most incredible people through it. I love it.

And it’s hard.

I found it to be the hardest once I came up against my own limitations and needed to learn from others to transform and reset my potential curve. Dale Williams was one of these people, and we now share a passion for supporting entrepreneurs on their journeys.

I’ve teamed up with Dale to host Andrew Smith (co-founder of Yuppiechef) and Jonathan Smit (founder of PayFast) at an exclusive evening of high impact learning on Thursday, 14 March at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town.

Importantly, places are limited to just 20 people. The evening is structured around intense participation and we want everyone to emerge with learnings that move them and their businesses forward.

If you know of an entrepreneur who employs between 3 and 100 people and would be interested in attending, please let them know. Applications close Friday, 23 February.

Click here for more: https://lnkd.in/d2EbRPx8

Related Questions

What are some of Sam Paddock's most notable investments?
How did Sam Paddock start his career in entrepreneurship?
What is the Drakenskloof Sanctuary project about?
How did GetSmarter impact Sam Paddock's career?
What are Sam Paddock's future plans in the tech industry?
Sam Paddock
Sam Paddock, photo 1
Sam Paddock, photo 2
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Experience

Investor at JEFF Fitness (November 2020 - Present)
Investor and Director at Hubble Studios (June 2012 - January 2023); Investor and Director at Yuppiechef (February 2019 - July 2022); Founder and Senior Advisor at GetSmarter / 2U Inc (April 2018 - Mar at gradzone (June 2005 - March 2006)

Education

Values Based Leadership from Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town (2015); Strategic Business Management from University of Cape Town (2015); BBusSci in Information Systems from Univer

Location

City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa