Experience

Launch Africa Ventures

• Mauritius
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Partner

  • Jun 2021 - Present

  Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Launch Africa Ventures is Africa's leading venture capital fund that solves the significant gap in Seed to Series A investments across the continent. We back startups across multiple regions, sectors and products, all of whom tackle the most meaningful challenges on the continent through technology and innovation. We target B2B and B2B2C early-stage (pre Series A), technology-driven startups with strong management teams and scalable solutions. Our process is friction-less and efficient… Show more Launch Africa Ventures is Africa's leading venture capital fund that solves the significant gap in Seed to Series A investments across the continent. We back startups across multiple regions, sectors and products, all of whom tackle the most meaningful challenges on the continent through technology and innovation. We target B2B and B2B2C early-stage (pre Series A), technology-driven startups with strong management teams and scalable solutions. Our process is friction-less and efficient. It gives us the ability to invest in a few startups each month and allows founders to focus on their entrepreneurial pursuits. We use our diverse networks and unique access to corporate distribution channels across Africa to unlock value for startups through strategic partnerships.​ Show less



Startupbootcamp

• Netherlands
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Cape Town Partner and Co-Founder of the first and largest multi-corporate backed tech venture accelerator on the African continent with a portfolio comprising several of Africa's most successful and iconic technology ventures.



Cactus Advisors

• South Africa
• Financial Services

• Founder and Chief Executive Officer

  • Jan 2013 - Present

  Cape Town Cactus Advisors is a multi-dimensional business advisory firm that: - Helps owners and management of companies achieve growth and performance through clear strategic thought (operations and management) and financial acumen (capital raising, mergers & acquisitions, divestitures) - Mentors, trains and develops entrepreneurs by equipping them with the business & financial tools needed to transform concepts and ideas into feasible, sustainable and scalable businesses - Advises… Show more Cactus Advisors is a multi-dimensional business advisory firm that: - Helps owners and management of companies achieve growth and performance through clear strategic thought (operations and management) and financial acumen (capital raising, mergers & acquisitions, divestitures) - Mentors, trains and develops entrepreneurs by equipping them with the business & financial tools needed to transform concepts and ideas into feasible, sustainable and scalable businesses - Advises private investors, institutions and funds on optimal capital allocation and capital distribution strategies Show less



Harambeans

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fellow

  • Apr 2019 - Present

  Global Harambeans are African innovators admitted to the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, who have pledged “to work together as one” to unlock the potential of Africa. We are an alliance of determined entrepreneurs who are building Africa’s future. We are visionaries transforming Africa’s challenges into opportunities. We are founders of businesses that create positive and scalable change, enabling Africa to reach its boundless potential. The Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance is… Show more Harambeans are African innovators admitted to the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, who have pledged “to work together as one” to unlock the potential of Africa. We are an alliance of determined entrepreneurs who are building Africa’s future. We are visionaries transforming Africa’s challenges into opportunities. We are founders of businesses that create positive and scalable change, enabling Africa to reach its boundless potential. The Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance is a 501(c)(3) registered in the State of New Hampshire. Our goal is to propel Africa forward by identifying promising young African leaders and providing them access to training, markets, capital and support networks. Show less



Nedbank

• South Africa
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Principal - Venture Capital

  • Oct 2019 - Jun 2021

  Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Principal at Nedbank Venture Capital and Alternative Investments



Allan Gray Orbis Foundation

• South Africa
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Venture Acceleration Program

  • Mar 2016 - Dec 2016

  Cape Town Area, South Africa Managing Director for the Lean Iterator program focused on Ideation, Validation and Creation of high growth, high impact ventures run by Fellows from the prestigious Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Allan Gray Investments Ltd is the largest Asset Management firm on the African continent.



Absa Group

• South Africa
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Program Director - Barclays Tech Lab Africa

  • Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

  Cape Town Area, South Africa Program Director for Tech Lab Africa www.techlabafrica.com - an initiative of Barclays. Tech Lab Africa is a RISE Africa initiative in partnership with Barclays, designed to discover, nurture and empower the next generation of financial services, health technology and health information technology innovators. The 13 week program ran from September to December 2015 in Cape Town. $10m+ in funding was raised amongst the ventures and 6 signed corporate contracts were achieved in just… Show more Program Director for Tech Lab Africa www.techlabafrica.com - an initiative of Barclays. Tech Lab Africa is a RISE Africa initiative in partnership with Barclays, designed to discover, nurture and empower the next generation of financial services, health technology and health information technology innovators. The 13 week program ran from September to December 2015 in Cape Town. $10m+ in funding was raised amongst the ventures and 6 signed corporate contracts were achieved in just 3 months! Show less



U-Start

• Technology, Information and Internet

• Head of Operations - Africa

  • Dec 2011 - Dec 2014

  Cape Town Area, South Africa U-Start is a global boutique investment advisory firm focused on direct and indirect venture capital investments for private investors – prominent family offices, high net-worth individuals, venture capital funds and corporate wealth management institutions. U-Start specializes in top opportunities in digital and tech ventures with a focus on SaaS (software-as-a-service), online marketplaces/e-commerce, fin-tech, health-tech and the Internet of Things, and has global partnerships with leading… Show more U-Start is a global boutique investment advisory firm focused on direct and indirect venture capital investments for private investors – prominent family offices, high net-worth individuals, venture capital funds and corporate wealth management institutions. U-Start specializes in top opportunities in digital and tech ventures with a focus on SaaS (software-as-a-service), online marketplaces/e-commerce, fin-tech, health-tech and the Internet of Things, and has global partnerships with leading accelerators, incubators, research centers and universities. Headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Italy, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey and Mexico, and strategic partnerships in the US, UK, Germany, Russia and Israel. Show less



Old Mutual South Africa

• South Africa
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Specialist Financial Advisor - Masisizane Fund

  • Dec 2011 - Jun 2014

  Cape Town Area, South Africa Specialist financial adviser (investment advisory, fund sustainability) to the CEO and Management team of Masisizane - a ~$100 million social investment fund and development finance institution established by Old Mutual – a leading international long-term savings, protection and investment group providing life assurance, asset management, banking and general insurance in 33 countries worldwide. Masisizane Old Mutual’s key focus is on supporting initiatives that help facilitate… Show more Specialist financial adviser (investment advisory, fund sustainability) to the CEO and Management team of Masisizane - a ~$100 million social investment fund and development finance institution established by Old Mutual – a leading international long-term savings, protection and investment group providing life assurance, asset management, banking and general insurance in 33 countries worldwide. Masisizane Old Mutual’s key focus is on supporting initiatives that help facilitate enterprise development and provide financial education to generate sustainable economic and social benefit in South Africa Show less



ALTIS Post Graduate School of Business

• Business Development Manager, Consulting Professor

  • Apr 2011 - Dec 2011

  Nairobi, Kenya Business Plan Development Manager and Consulting Professor to social entrepreneurs and enterprises in Africa as part of a unique MBA program in Social Entrepreneurship and Management organized by ALTIS Post Graduate School of Business & Society - Universita Cattolica (Milan, Italy) in conjunction with Tangaza College (Nairobi, Kenya) and Loyola Institute of Business Administration (Chennai, India) Organized one of the largest social entrepreneurship conferences in Nairobi (July 2011)… Show more Business Plan Development Manager and Consulting Professor to social entrepreneurs and enterprises in Africa as part of a unique MBA program in Social Entrepreneurship and Management organized by ALTIS Post Graduate School of Business & Society - Universita Cattolica (Milan, Italy) in conjunction with Tangaza College (Nairobi, Kenya) and Loyola Institute of Business Administration (Chennai, India) Organized one of the largest social entrepreneurship conferences in Nairobi (July 2011) that brought together leading intellectuals, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors aimed at closing the circle of professional training, start-up support and sustainable finance for social enterprises in Africa and beyond. I was on the cover of the Financial Post Taught courses and conducted workshops for social entrepreneurs in Corporate Finance, Business Plan Writing (targeted at the financial sector), Strategic Market Research, Presentation Skills for Business Plans Show less



Barclays Investment Bank

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Asst Vice President - Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investment Banking

  • Sep 2008 - Apr 2010

  New York, NY Developed detailed financial models to analyze the impact and value of mergers, acquisitions, capital offerings, IPOs, leveraged buy-outs and other balance sheet restructuring activities for industrial corporations. Top Deals: Lead book-runner on the $570mm IPO of Sensata Technologies (2010) Acquisition of Stock Building Supply by The Gores Group (2009)



Lehman Brothers

• Capital Markets
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate - Enterprise Risk Management

  • May 2005 - Sep 2008

  New York, NY Co-established a unique product and sector-agnostic group along with two managing directors, focusing on valuation, acquisition financing, capital structure, capital deployment and strategic risk advisory for top priority clients



Glass Lewis & Co.

• United States
• Financial Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Financial Research Analyst

  • Jan 2005 - Apr 2005

  San Francisco Bay Area Analyzed SEC filings, performed objective evaluation on the corporate integrity and financial transparency of public corporations, compiled reports for large pension funds and mutual funds, reviewed equity compensation and stock option plans, composition of boards and auditor performance



United Nations

• United States
• International Affairs

• Graduate Intern - Department of Management & Procurment

  • Jul 2004 - Sep 2004

  Greater New York City Area Performed financial and qualitative analysis of government agencies and corporations worldwide that sought to do business with the U.N. as vendor contractors, suppliers or distributors