Investment and partnership proposal · For investors and funding partners
Investment proposal
A landmark sporting, tourism and economic development opportunity for the Western Cape.
Executive summary
The Cape Town Vertical Wind Tunnel Project is a proposed world-class indoor skydiving and human flight facility at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. It is designed to make the city a leading international destination for indoor skydiving, adventure tourism and international competition.
At its centre is the TT65 PRO vertical wind tunnel, a 6.5 m diameter, competition-grade flight chamber manufactured by Tunnel Tech. It would be one of the most advanced indoor skydiving facilities internationally and the first of its scale on the African continent.
The chamber's size and airflow performance suit advanced competitive disciplines, including 4-way and 8-way Formation Skydiving and Dynamic disciplines. It can attract international athletes and teams for competitions and training camps, and it supports the inclusive Indoor Para Skydiving programme run through the School of Human Flight.
Total development cost is R200 million. 50% of this funding is secured, and the project is in active discussion with additional investors for the balance.
- Total development cost
- R200m
- Committed investment, secured (50%)
- R100m
- Investment sought (50%)
- R100m
Location: the V&A Waterfront
The facility is proposed for the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town's most-visited precinct and one of Africa's leading tourism destinations. The specific venue within the precinct is still to be finalised.
The location pairs a globally recognised, high-footfall tourism setting with a facility capable of drawing international athletes and competitions year-round. It positions the project to reach first-time visitors, families, elite athletes, schools and corporate clients on the same site.
The facility
The development will include a 6.5 m diameter, competition-grade flight chamber approximately 24 m high. It will have climate-optimised airflow systems, high-performance athlete training facilities, spectator viewing and mezzanine areas, and professional media and broadcasting infrastructure. It will also have reception, retail, corporate-hosting, youth-programme and educational spaces.
Why the TT65 PRO
Tunnel Tech's TT65 PRO is designed to FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) competition standard. It supports the full range of indoor skydiving disciplines, including 4-way and 8-way Formation Skydiving and Dynamic events.
- 6.5 m diameter flight chamber, 24 m in height, among the largest in operation internationally
- Two levels of 54 mm thick glass for spectator visibility
- 55 dB(A) noise emissions, low enough for integration into a mixed-use tourism precinct
- Industry-leading energy efficiency relative to comparable tunnels
Tunnel Tech has delivered seven facilities internationally in under six years, including record-setting installations for tunnel size, noise performance and energy efficiency. It offers consulting, construction, training, operations and maintenance support throughout delivery.
The facility's professional media and broadcasting infrastructure includes multi-camera, high-speed and slow-motion capture, remote access and training-debrief capability. It is designed to support athlete development and commercial opportunities in broadcasting, digital content and sponsorship activation.
Market opportunity
Indoor skydiving is a rapidly expanding global industry.
- €1bn+a year, global industry value
- 300+operational facilities worldwide
- 20m+flights recorded to date
Market figures as stated in the project proposals.
A facility of this scale, the first of its kind on the continent, positions Cape Town to compete for major sanctioned events ahead of that international growth curve.
The FAI recognised Indoor Para Skydiving in 2025 as its first-ever para-sports discipline. A World Cup debuted in France in April 2026, and the inaugural FAI World Championships follow in March 2027.
As a permanent, weather-independent attraction, the facility is expected to support increased tourism activity, international athlete and team visitation, year-round visitor spending, and corporate and event tourism. Economic impact is expected to extend into accommodation, hospitality, retail and transport across the Waterfront precinct.
Investment and funding structure
| Total development cost | R200 million |
|---|---|
| Committed investment (secured) | R100 million (50%) |
| Investment sought | R100 million (50%) |
| Status | In active discussion with additional investors |
A detailed use-of-funds breakdown and financial model are shared with prospective investors under NDA as part of due diligence.
Diversified revenue model
The facility is designed to operate across multiple revenue streams, reducing reliance on any single customer segment:
- Public indoor skydiving experiences and professional athlete training
- International training camps and competition hosting
- Coaching, instruction and corporate events
- Hospitality, conferencing and retail
- Sponsorship, branding, media and broadcasting
Partnership opportunities
- Development and investment partnerships
- Venue naming rights
- Championship and event sponsorship
- Corporate branding, hospitality and tourism partnerships
- Youth development sponsorship and media and broadcasting partnerships
Community impact and inclusion
Beyond its commercial and sporting role, the project will create employment across construction and operations. Roles include instructors, technical and engineering staff, management, hospitality, and event and media personnel. It will also support skills development in coaching, technical operations and event management, with pathways for young people through partnerships with schools and community organisations.
The facility is also proposed to house the School of Human Flight, an inclusive indoor skydiving and Indoor Para Skydiving programme for people with disabilities, led by Ruben Knoetze. The TT65 PRO's chamber size is a direct safety and accessibility advantage for this programme. It eases assisted entry and supported flight for wheelchair users relative to smaller tunnels.
The social development programme is summarised on the community page.
Development timeline
Phase durations are approximate and follow site and funding finalisation.
-
First
Site and funding finalisation
Venue confirmation within the V&A Waterfront and close of the remaining investment.
-
Phase 1
About 3 months
Engineering and final design
-
Phase 2
8 to 10 months
Construction and fit-out
-
Phase 3
About 2 months
Testing and commissioning
-
Phase 4
About 1 month
Soft launch and public opening
Key considerations
- Final venue confirmation and any associated planning or environmental approvals within the V&A Waterfront precinct
- Close of the remaining R100 million investment
- Construction timeline and cost management through delivery
- Market uptake relative to comparable international facilities
The opportunity
The Cape Town Vertical Wind Tunnel is a unique opportunity to bring a major, internationally competitive tourism and sporting asset to South Africa. It would be the first facility of this scale on the continent, backed by 50% committed funding.
The project is seeking investment partners for the remaining R100 million to complete funding and bring the project to construction.