GrowthAfrica would like to invite you for a panel discussion hosted in partnership with the Aspen Development Network for Entrepreneur, Kuramo Capital Management, Novastar Ventures and FSD Kenya.
Do you have an existing business, but unsure about what your investment options are? Are you looking to scale your business and cannot seem to land investment? Have you heard all these stereotypes about investment readiness and funding of local businesses? Join our group of panelists for an intriguing session to gain knowledge and understanding about everything investment.
Date and time:
Tuesday, the 23rd of August 2016,
Targeted participants:
The event is targeted at and especially valuable for: Investment ready businesses, early stage business owners, social entrepreneurs.
– Investment ready businesses
– Early stage business owners
– Social entrepreneurs
Topics to be covered:
– Types of investment for early stage businesses
– Investment readiness
– Demistifying investment strereotypes
Agenda:
– 10:00 – 10:15: Registration
– 10:15 – 10:30: Introduction
– 10:30 – 11:30: Presentation
– 11:30 – 12:00: Open floor Q&A
– 12:00 – 12:30: Networking Session
Name of speakers: Mary Mwangi – East Africa Chapter Manager, ANDE (Moderator), Sarah Ngamau – Vice President at Kuramo Capital Management, Sapna Shah – Investment Director at Novastar Ventures Limited, Dennis Onyango – East Africa Portfolio Associate at Acumen Fund, Kimathi Ikiao – Investment Associate at FSD Kenya.
Short bio of the speakers
1. Mary Mwangi- East Africa Chapter Manager, ANDE
Mary joined ANDE in 2012 as the East Africa Chapter Coordinator, and was promoted to Regional Chapter Manager in June 2015. Previously she has worked with the African Venture Capital Association. Mary is passionate about development entrepreneurship and has authored a research paper on the efficacy of tertiary education and business development services in promoting and supporting youth entrepreneurship in Kenya. She holds an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from United States International University, Chandaria Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Political Science from the University of Nairobi. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management at Strathmore University. Mary is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of organizations that propel entrepreneurship in emerging markets.
2.Sarah Ngamau – Vice President at Kuramo Capital Management
Prior to Kuramo Capital, Sarah worked as an Investment Manager at The TBL Mirror Fund. TBL provides Venture Capital for Kenyan Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. The fund provides equity, hands on entrepreneurial involvement and exposure to a international investor network. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi. Kuramo Capital Management, LLC is an independent investment management firm that provides targeted global investment management services to institutional investors, focused on alternative assets in emerging and frontier markets.
3. Sapna Shah— Investment Director at Novastar Ventures Limited
Sapna has over 11 years of private equity, restructuring & banking experience developed across Europe, North America & the Middle East, with a current focus on private equity investing in East Africa.
Novastar Ventures Ltd deploys distinctive capabilities to support exceptional entreprenuers who are creating and growing breakthrough businesses in East Africa.
4. Dennis Onyango—East Africa Portfolio Associate at Acumen Fund
Dennis identifies, cultivates and manages a pipeline of investment opportunities providing critical services to the poor. He also supports Acumen’s post investment efforts to add significant value to investee companies. Prior to joining Acumen, Dennis was a Senior Investment Analyst at Grassroots Business Fund (GBF),He has also worked as a business associate at Transglobal Consultants. He holds an MBA, Finance option from United States International University – Africa (USIU-A).
Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders and ideas. They invest patient capital in businesses whose products and services are enabling the poor to transform their lives.
5. Kimathi Ikiao- Investment Associate at FSD Kenya.
Kimathi began his career in the capital markets at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, and later moved to Standard Investment Bank in Kenya as a Securities Dealer. Having developed an affinity to private equity and its role in development, Kimathi served a short stint with Centum Investment prior to pursuing his post-graduate studies. He holds an MBA from The University of Tulsa. While pursuing his MBA, he served on the University’s Student Investment Fund as the fund’s secretary in 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration from the United States International University (USIU), and participates in the CFA program.
FSD Kenya supports the development of financial inclusion in Kenya. Their work ranges from direct investment in market innovations to research and policy analysis. They seek to harness financial solutions to meet the needs of lower income households and smaller scale businesses helping them manage scarce resources and invest in the future.
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