Building Futures: The Inspiration Behind Squirrel Away By Sibongile ‘Sibo’ Maputla, Founder and CEO Every parent dreams of giving their children the best start in life—a foundation strong enough to support their dreams, no matter how big they may be. As someone deeply rooted in the financial industry, I’ve always been passionate about helping people unlock opportunities and build legacies. This passion is what inspired me to transition from managing assets to creating Squirrel Away , a platform that redefines what it means to invest in the future. Why Squirrel Away? The idea for Squirrel Away was born from a desire to make financial empowerment accessible to everyone, not just those with wealth or experience in the financial markets. Traditional investment platforms often intimidate people with jargon, high barriers to entry, or complex processes. I wanted to create a solution that simplifies financial planning and integrates it into a culturally relevant, everyday act— gifting . Squirrel Away allows families and friends to turn every celebration into a meaningful step towards building generational wealth. Whether it’s a child’s birthday, a graduation, or simply a thoughtful gesture, every contribution to the app grows alongside the child, offering both immediate joy and long-term impact. Addressing South Africa’s Financial Challenges In my years in financial markets, I noticed several barriers to financial security in South Africa: Low Savings Culture:  Many South Africans focus on short-term spending rather than long-term financial planning. Accessibility Issues:  Financial tools often feel out of reach for individuals who lack prior exposure to investing. Intergenerational Wealth Gap:  The wealth divide remains a pressing issue, particularly in communities historically excluded from economic opportunities. Cultural Relevance:  Gifting is deeply ingrained in South African culture, but it often doesn’t create lasting value. Squirrel Away bridges these gaps by turning gifting into an investment opportunity. It combines financial literacy, simplicity, and cultural relevance to help families save, invest, and grow wealth together. The Journey to Innovation Launching Squirrel Away has been a deeply personal and transformative journey. I’ve built businesses without capital, faced countless challenges, and learned to innovate under constraints. These experiences have shaped how I approach obstacles and focus on solutions: Resilience:  The platform reflects my belief that financial empowerment should be attainable even for families starting with limited resources. Customer-Centricity:  Every feature of Squirrel Away is designed to address real challenges families face when it comes to saving and investing. Empathy:  Having witnessed the struggles of many South African families, I wanted to create a tool that not only supports individual growth but uplifts entire communities. Creating Lasting Impact Squirrel Away is more than just an app; it’s a movement to redefine how families think about money and milestones. Here’s how it makes a difference: Fostering a Savings Culture:  By integrating gifting with investments, the app turns celebrations into opportunities for long-term financial growth. Breaking Financial Barriers:  With no minimum deposit requirements and intuitive features, Squirrel Away makes investing accessible for everyone. Supporting Communities:  Investments contribute to local economic growth by funding SMMEs, empowering communities to thrive. Building Generational Wealth:  Every contribution to a child’s financial journey helps secure their education, homeownership, or entrepreneurial dreams. Perseverance as a Core Value At its heart, Squirrel Away is about resilience and breaking barriers. My personal journey has taught me the importance of turning challenges into opportunities, and this philosophy drives everything we do. This isn’t just about building a business; it’s about building a future where families can thrive, celebrate, and invest with purpose. Every gift made through Squirrel Away tells a child, “Your dreams matter, and we’re investing in them.” I invite you to join us on this journey. Together, let’s change how we think about gifting, saving, and investing. With Squirrel Away, you’re not just giving a gift—you’re planting the seeds for a brighter, more secure future. Because when we invest in our children, we invest in a better tomorrow. Join a brighter tomorrow, by gifting and investing with Squirrel Away

Every parent dreams of a bright future for their child, but in today’s world, creating a pathway to success requires more than just hope. It takes thoughtful planning, meaningful support, and smart financial decisions. That’s where Squirrel Away steps in. Our app goes beyond traditional gifting, empowering parents, family, and friends to make direct investments in a child’s future. Whether it’s funding for higher education, seeding a creative passion, or simply building a financial cushion, Squirrel Away turns every gift into a stepping stone towards a brighter tomorrow. Investing in Dreams Squirrel Away helps you channel your child’s unique potential into actionable plans. As their interests and aspirations evolve, the app provides the financial foundation they need to explore their talents—be it science, the arts, or sports. Every contribution grows alongside them, offering flexibility and security. Fostering Resilience Through Financial Empowerment Planning for your child’s future also means teaching them resilience. With Squirrel Away, you’re not just gifting; you’re teaching invaluable lessons about financial literacy and independence. This foundation enables children to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and adaptability. Why Choose Squirrel Away? Transformative Gifting: Turn every celebration into an opportunity for lasting impact by gifting investments that grow over time, creating a legacy of financial security for your loved ones. Simplicity Meets Expertise: Our intuitive platform takes the guesswork out of investing, making it easy for anyone to contribute to a brighter financial future without needing prior investment knowledge. Empowering Generations: Squirrel Away is more than an app—it’s a movement to foster financial literacy, promote sustainable wealth creation, and inspire communities to build generational resilience. By nurturing your child’s dreams and providing them with the tools for success, Squirrel Away makes a lasting impact—turning every contribution into a meaningful investment in their future. Start their journey today with Squirrel Away, because the best gift you can give is a secure and thriving future. Planning for your child’s future is not a finite task but an ongoing journey. By nurturing their unique strengths, promoting a growth mindset, and preparing them with essential skills, you empower your child to embrace a fulfilling future. Every conversation, experience, and lesson plays a role in their growth. Your investment of time, love, and understanding is invaluable. As you illuminate their path, remember that the foundation you lay today will help them build their dreams tomorrow. In a world filled with opportunities, your dedication to nurturing your child's potential ensures they thrive. Celebrate each step they take and continue believing in their capacity to achieve greatness. The best gift you can give is the support they need to flourish in their unique journey.

As a parent, ensuring your child has a solid financial foundation is one of the most impactful gifts you can give. With education costs in South Africa rising by an average of 6% annually, housing prices climbing, and overall living expenses increasing, proactive planning is no longer optional—it’s essential. That’s where Squirrel Away  comes in, offering a simple, innovative way to turn everyday gifting into long-term financial empowerment. Here’s how you can start investing wisely in your child’s future. Start Early: The Power of Compound Growth Time is your greatest ally when it comes to investing. Starting early allows your investments to grow exponentially through compound interest. For example, investing R5,000 when your child is born, with an average annual return of 7%, could grow to over R18,000 by the time they turn 18. Squirrel Away makes it easy to start early, even with small contributions. Each gift, no matter the size, compounds over time to create meaningful financial security. Set Clear Financial Goals Planning for your child’s future starts with understanding your objectives. Ask yourself: What milestones do I want to support? Education? Buying their first home? How much can I contribute monthly or annually? What are my long-term expectations for these investments? With Squirrel Away , you can align every financial goal with your child’s future needs, whether it’s education, a first car, or entrepreneurial dreams. Savings vs. Investments: What’s Best for Your Goals? Squirrel Away bridges the gap between traditional savings and modern investment accounts, making it easier for families to grow their contributions. Here’s how each works: Savings Accounts:  Great for short-term goals but offer minimal growth due to low interest rates. Investment Portfolios:  Higher potential returns over the long term, perfect for education funds or generational wealth building. Our app offers curated investment options, ensuring your contributions grow while being accessible when needed. Fostering Financial Literacy for Your Child Financial education is as critical as financial planning. Squirrel Away not only helps you invest but also provides tools to teach your child about money management. Encourage saving: Set up a small account for your child to track savings. Discuss investments: Involve them in understanding how contributions grow over time. Teach responsibility: Show them how financial habits today impact tomorrow. These lessons will instill confidence and independence, preparing your child for financial decision-making as they grow. Review and Adapt Your Investments As your child gets older, their financial needs—and your investment strategy—will evolve. Squirrel Away helps you regularly review and adjust your portfolio to align with milestones, from school fees to university applications and beyond. By reducing risk as key goals approach, you can safeguard your gains and ensure funds are available when needed. Why Squirrel Away is the Perfect Partner Squirrel Away is more than an app—it’s a platform designed to transform the way families think about investing for the future. Ease of Use:  No minimum deposits and intuitive features make starting simple. Generational Impact:  Every contribution builds not just financial security, but a legacy of smart, impactful decisions. Community Focus:  Investments don’t just grow for your child—they help strengthen the local economy. Start Building a Brighter Future Today With Squirrel Away, investing in your child’s future is easier than ever. Each contribution creates a pathway for their dreams, whether it’s university, a home, or their first business venture. Take the first step today and watch your child’s future flourish. Together, let’s make every gift count—because the best time to invest in your child’s tomorrow is now.