Head of Venture Building & Lead Venture Partner

• Aug 2022 - Present

Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed high-impact fund backing tech startups that seek to improve the resilience of underserved, climate-vulnerable communities in Africa. Our thesis focuses on supporting mission-driven, local and women founders offering climate adaptation solutions, enabled by fintech. We take an active, hands-on venture-building approach that leverages our experience as founders and operators in emerging markets, supporting startups on tech, product and data challenges. Over the past 7 years, we have backed 61 startups across 15 emerging markets. Our unique venture-building support led to >$650M follow-on funding raised.Successfully lead/co-lead the sourcing, due diligence and onboarding of Catalyst Fund 2H22 cohort of 10 startups. Coordinated the 5-6 months venture building for these 10 startups.Lead the venture building for the following startups:- Sand to Green, Morocco- Assuraf, SenegalParticipated in the venture building for the following startups, mainly as fundraising specialist:- Farm to Feed, Kenya- Eight Medical, Nigeria- Farmz2u, Nigeria- Bekia, Egypt- VAIS, Egypt

Senior Venture Builder

• Mar 2021 - Jul 2022

Lead the venture building for the following startups:- Ziada (Kazi), Kenya- HealthDart, South Africa- Jetstream, Ghana- Tulix, Kenya- Aquarech, Kenya

Co-Founder

• Jan 2020 - Present

Your go-to database and insights on startups funding in AfricaInsights 👉 thebigdeal.substack.com (weekly)Dataset 👉 thebigdeal.gumroad.com (monthly) Your go-to database and insights on startups funding in AfricaInsights 👉 thebigdeal.substack.com (weekly)Dataset 👉 thebigdeal.gumroad.com (monthly)

Advisor

• May 2022 - Present

BuuPass is building the digital infrastructure for the long-distance transport market in Africa. Their solution is a B2B2C full-stack marketplace that digitises the operations of transport companies, and connects them with online ticketing platforms where travellers can book their intercity bus, train and flight tickets online. BuuPass is building the digital infrastructure for the long-distance transport market in Africa. Their solution is a B2B2C full-stack marketplace that digitises the operations of transport companies, and connects them with online ticketing platforms where travellers can book their intercity bus, train and flight tickets online.

Advisor

• Jun 2021 - Present

Increasing restaurants' contribution to Africa's GDP. Top Up Mama is building an eCommerce wholesaler, delivering goods and services to small & medium restaurants across Africa. Increasing restaurants' contribution to Africa's GDP. Top Up Mama is building an eCommerce wholesaler, delivering goods and services to small & medium restaurants across Africa.

Advisor

• Feb 2021 - Present

Company Builder

• Jul 2020 - Feb 2021

Pricepally is an innovative digital Nigerian wholesale platform allowing users to purchase food and other products either individually or as a part of a group. Building on principles of the Shared Economy, Pricepally brings consumers together directly with farmers, manufacturers, and wholesalers to mutual benefit.

Advisor

• Feb 2021 - Present

Company Builder

• Apr 2020 - Feb 2021

Amitruck is an innovative mobile and web based trucking logistics platform that brings together cargo owners and transporters for their mutual benefit.

Investor

• Dec 2021 - Present

Time for the Planet is a mission-driven company active in the fight against climate change in France and abroad.More here: https://www.time-planet.com Time for the Planet is a mission-driven company active in the fight against climate change in France and abroad.More here: https://www.time-planet.com

Company Builder

• Apr 2020 - Feb 2021

Sumundi has developed an innovative digital retail management platform designed to help retailers manage, grow, and sustain their businesses. Sumundi’s retail management platform aims to facilitate and promote Africa’s retailers with a suite of services to help run and grow a business. Sumundi has developed an innovative digital retail management platform designed to help retailers manage, grow, and sustain their businesses. Sumundi’s retail management platform aims to facilitate and promote Africa’s retailers with a suite of services to help run and grow a business.

Company Builder

• Mar 2020 - Feb 2021

Coliba is an innovative Cote D’Ivoire-based recycling and waste management start-up that is addressing one of the most prominent ecological problems of our time: plastic waste. Coliba is an innovative Cote D’Ivoire-based recycling and waste management start-up that is addressing one of the most prominent ecological problems of our time: plastic waste.

Senior Company Builder

• Oct 2019 - Feb 2021

Senior venture builder, in charge of leading the support (from investor relations and recruitment to business development or strategy) to selected startups in Africa across a various sectors: logistics (Amitruck, Teliman), agriculture/food (Ecodudu, Pricepally), recycling (Coliba), digital commerce (Sumundi), education (Genius Muna), eCommerce (VuSur). Senior venture builder, in charge of leading the support (from investor relations and recruitment to business development or strategy) to selected startups in Africa across a various sectors: logistics (Amitruck, Teliman), agriculture/food (Ecodudu, Pricepally), recycling (Coliba), digital commerce (Sumundi), education (Genius Muna), eCommerce (VuSur).

Company Builder

• Feb 2020 - 2021

Ecodudu is an innovative Kenyan waste-to-value company using insects to produce alternative proteins and organic agricultural inputs. Ecodudu is an innovative Kenyan waste-to-value company using insects to produce alternative proteins and organic agricultural inputs.

Insights Director - M4D Utilities

• Oct 2018 - Aug 2019

The M4D Utilities Programme works to unlock commercially sustainable business models that leverage mobile to deliver affordable and improved energy, water and sanitation services in emerging markets.

Insights Director - Ecosystem Accelerator

• May 2018 - Aug 2019

Our mission is to build synergies between start-ups and mobile operators, with the aim to scale innovative and sustainable mobile services in emerging markets.

Senior Insights Manager - Ecosystem Accelerator

• Dec 2015 - Apr 2018

GSMA's Ecosystem Accelerator's objective is to drive scale in innovative mobile products and services that provide socio-economic impact in a commercially sustainable manner.

Freelance Consultant Telecom, Tech, Internet

• Apr 2015 - Dec 2015

Short term management consulting projects for telecom companies and tech-based startups in the region- Etisalat: Marketing strategy projects in the UAE market- Fetchr: Business development & logistic partnerships initial approaches- Real Life Analytics: High level consultation on local opportunities- On-demand economy startup [confidential]: Feasibility study, business plan & partnerships negotiations for a potential local launch in the U.A.E. Short term management consulting projects for telecom companies and tech-based startups in the region- Etisalat: Marketing strategy projects in the UAE market- Fetchr: Business development & logistic partnerships initial approaches- Real Life Analytics: High level consultation on local opportunities- On-demand economy startup [confidential]: Feasibility study, business plan & partnerships negotiations for a potential local launch in the U.A.E.

Telecom, Media & Digital Intelligence Unit Manager

• Feb 2011 - Apr 2015

In charge of supporting all advisory, corporate finance and private equity projects in the TMD industry for the African region by providing in-depth intelligence and analysis on complex questions raised by our clients- Manager of a team of 7 telecom research & intelligence specialists- Collaborated with 195 TMD consultants within Delta Partners, across 5 regions and 60 countries- Supported closely more than 125 advisory projects over the past 4 years for leading telecom operators and internet players on highly strategic topics (digital opportunity sizing, OTT tactical approach, mobile data value proposition, customer experience)- Developed an expertise in telcos’ digital and mobile data value proposition- Gained in-depth knowledge and understanding of African and Middle East TMD markets- Designed, organized and successfully delivered detailed syndicated research on various TMD themes (Mobile financial services, Data-centric operators, Telcos' digital partnerships)- Authored various TMD publications (Instant Messaging startups, Low-cost smartphones, Africa Digital economy) - Attended several MEA TMD conferences (AfricaCom, Mobile360)- Developed specific research-based intelligence products and services to support the TMD practice members across the company (benchmarks, databases, case studies)- Successfully sourced, recruited, trained and coached 6 TMD analysts and 7 interns

Consultant (Telecom Industry)

• Apr 2010 - Feb 2011

Assisting mobile operator in Africa to improve its offer creation and launch processes as well as its customer experience level by implementing key initiatives across the organization. Assisting mobile operator in Africa to improve its offer creation and launch processes as well as its customer experience level by implementing key initiatives across the organization.

Telecom Consultant

• Apr 2009 - Apr 2010

Altai Consulting is a leading Consulting, Research and Communication service provider in developing countries. Its Telecommunications Consulting team - based in Dubai - operates in Afghanistan and Kurdistan (Iraq). Altai Consulting is a leading Consulting, Research and Communication service provider in developing countries. Its Telecommunications Consulting team - based in Dubai - operates in Afghanistan and Kurdistan (Iraq).

Contract Coordinator

• Aug 2008 - Apr 2009

Location: Muscat, Oman.• Manage a 14M. usd manpower supply contract for an Oil Company• Tasks are including: cost control, human resources, logistic, planning and frequent visits on site. Location: Muscat, Oman.• Manage a 14M. usd manpower supply contract for an Oil Company• Tasks are including: cost control, human resources, logistic, planning and frequent visits on site.

Business Analyst

• Apr 2007 - Jul 2007

• Study on oil&gas E&P activities in Oman and potential opportunities for French companies in this area.• Several support missions to French companies wanting to invest in Oman • Study on oil&gas E&P activities in Oman and potential opportunities for French companies in this area.• Several support missions to French companies wanting to invest in Oman

Marketing research officer

• Mar 2005 - Mar 2007

• 30 marketing surveys (satisfaction surveys, market researches…)• Team management from 5 to 30 students during several months.• Delivery of the studies results (statistical and analytical). • 30 marketing surveys (satisfaction surveys, market researches…)• Team management from 5 to 30 students during several months.• Delivery of the studies results (statistical and analytical).

Business analyst assistant

• Jul 2005 - Sep 2005

• Business analyst assistant on several missions• One particular mission in the German energy field • Business analyst assistant on several missions• One particular mission in the German energy field