Antonio Potenza - MBA
FOUNDER / managing partner
business development & investor relations
Antonio has more than 30 years of leadership experience in corporate finance and investment banking.
He consults on a number of ESG areas for private clients across multiple industries and geographies. He also tutors at the University of Oxford, UK in Venture Creation and Venture Finance alongside developing Curricula and Syllabus and delivering programs in Business & Entrepreneurship and University Preparation Programs at Oxford Summer Courses.
Seasoned and experienced Corporate Financier and Investment banker engaged in investing across several sustainable industries and sectors mostly for Energy, Food, Health and Fintech. Graduate from the University of Oxford in Business Administration and from the University of Cambridge in High Impact Leadership. Advocate of SDG financing mechanisms across multi-asset spectrum including Green Bonds (raised more than USD 350m), Blended Finance and Regenerative Finance.
He is a specialist in FinTech, CleanTech, Energy Efficiency, Blockchain and building multi-asset strategies, including blended finance and high-value Fixed Income Impact Bonds across Africa and Asia.
He is passionate in using innovative technologies and financing structures to fight social injustice and climate change.
Fei Gan - MBA
PARTNER / INVESTOR AND PARTNER relations
20+ years of experience in business consulting, investment banking and venture capital. Has advised start-ups and established businesses in business model design, operational efficiency, risk management, financial strategy and deal origination. Impact investment work include green energy technologies, fintech, green solutions for real estate development. Social impact initiatives include children's charities and gender and disability inclusion. Holds a Bachelors and a master's in economics from London School of Economics, and is an alum of Oxford University, UK for Impact Investment and Business Negotiation.
Industry Expertise: Impact Investing, Blended Financing, Impact Measurement, Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Business Strategy.
Emanuele Pizzatti
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
10+ years of experience in impact investment and private equity. While working in venture capital and M&A advisory, he has supported numerous investors with portfolio selection, technology acquisition, market expansion and venture projects in pooling additional private capital. Experienced in impact businesses in Africa, Asia and Europe. Recently participated in the creation and execution of a €100m investment in plastic recycling (circular economy) and has invested into smart energy, e-mobility, ICT and healthcare. Has a vast network of investors ranging from asset managers, family offices, venture capitalists and High Net Worth Individuals. A lecturer in the Master’s programme of entrepreneurship at SUPSI (Higher Education Institute of Southern Switzerland) and for 5 years has been coaching businesses at acceleration programmes in Switzerland and the European Institute of Technology.
Industry Expertise: Impact Investing, Impact Assessment, Corporate Finance. Energy, Mobility, Plastic Recycling.
Felicity Jones
FUND RAISING MANAGER / ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
Felicity has worked in fundraising and innovative resource mobilisation for equitable development and innovation for over 20 years. For over a decade she was Head of Foundation and Corporate Partnerships at the London School of Economics and Political Science, working on transformational funding including £65million to establish the International Inequalities Institute. She was part of the team at the African-founded and led NGO mothers2mothers which worked with the private Bank LGT and the South African government to develop the first impact bond in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by consulting to shape m2m's new impact investment strategy and for-profit ventures. She now consults globally on impact investment strategies and on establishing trading, investment and social enterprise functions for purpose-driven organizations, including the Start Network, NATIV platform for African creatives, Lancaster University, Equal Care Co-operative, and community-led conservation in Kenya and Madagascar supported by development finanace and impact investment.
Catherine Young
Country manager south africa & rest of africa / enterprise support
25+ years in African entrepreneurship development landscape
Accelerator, venture capital and entrepreneurship development in African SME and impact ecosystems. Grindstone is a structured entrepreneurship development programme that assists high-growth innovation-driven companies to get the fundamental building blocks in place to scale quickly and become sustainable and fundable. Collaboration with big business corporations and development organisations alike, to identify and unlock opportunities for SMEs across the African continent. Support of inclusive growth and the development of skills.
Eddie Sembatya - MBA
COUNTRY MANAGER UGANDA & KENYA
ENTERPRISE SUPPORT / GM Finding XY
15+ years impact investment, economic and business development working with MSMEs, investors and development agencies.
Previously at United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Finding XY is an innovation centre with registered offices in Uganda and Kenya supporting the growth of small and growing businesses. It supports MSMEs and ecosystem builders by providing business advisory and investment services in Africa.
Through the enterprise support programs it creates communities where there is no poverty, with gender equality by creating opportunities for economic growth, with descent work and empowering MSMEs through innovation. This is achieved through building global partnerships for social impact and green growth.
Dr. Vasiliki Kiparoglou
healthcare innovation MANAGER
Vasiliki is an experienced Healthcare Executive with a demonstrated history of working within the Research and Healthcare industry. She is skilled in Stategy, Operational Management, Clinical Research, Healthcare Leadership, Governance, Lean Six Sigma, Business Finance and Accounting, and Health Economics. She has received a number of competitive scholarships and awards and has published her findings in high profile academic research journals. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Nottingham and an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford - Said Business School, she is also a member of Balliol College - University of Oxford.
Vasiliki is an entrepreneur with an interest in digital transformation, AI, VR and the health tech innovation space. She co-founded EvZein Limited which aims to develop a platform to tackle and prevent loneliness by leveraging digital technologies and has a passion for Scalable Healthcare Solutions to underserved communities.