Brian Odhiambo

Partner at Novastar Ventures

Panellist

Brian Waswani Odhiambo is a Partner at Novastar Ventures, one of Africa’s foremost venture capital firms with nearly US$300m under management and a decade of pioneering investments across the continent. Novastar backs transformative businesses that generate enduring financial returns while creating profound social and environmental impact at scale. Its 30 portfolio companies have touched the lives of more than 70 million people, cementing Novastar’s role as a trailblazer in building and globalizing Africa’s venture capital ecosystem.

At Novastar, Brian has led investments in some of Africa’s most dynamic growth companies, including Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt), TradeDepot, MAX (formerly MAX.ng), Chowdeck, and Ignitia, serving on the boards of each. Prior to venture capital, he was an entrepreneur, co-founding Zamsolar, a renewable energy company in Zambia, and helping to build Jumia, Africa’s first listed e-commerce platform.

Brian holds a degree with honors from Yale University and is recognized as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow and an Obama Leader. He speaks regularly on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the future of innovation in Africa.