Mark Kleyner

Co-Founder & Program Director at Dream VC

Moderator

Mark Kleyner is a dynamic force in the African investment landscape. Mark is the co-founder and programs director at Dream VC, a specialist investor accelerator and venture institute for Africa, focused on providing knowledge-driven training programs for African-focused startup investors, upskilling African ecosystem builders and advising corporations on their investment activities across Africa. To date, under his leadership, Dream VC has catalyzed the creation of numerous funds, even as Dream VC fellows have gone on to join over 60 funds, launch 4x Angel Networks, and establish multiple syndicates. Collectively these initiatives now manage over $6.6 billion, fueling growth in Emerging Markets.

Outside his work in investment and investor capacity building, Mark is a Fund Advisor, Board Member and Angel Investor, sitting on several advisory boards.

Prior to Dream VC, Mark worked across acceleration, venture building, investor-founder matching and direct investments in VC, and at several Venture-Backed consumer startups as a consultant and growth operator, culminating in his work with early-stage startups at MZZ Africa. He has worked in VC portfolio and investor relations, helping 3x different VC funds to launch several fund vehicles at $10m each and has supported over 600 early-stage founders via growth hacking, mentorship and fundraising advice as an award-winning mentor with FI, Seedstars, Impact Hub & Village Capital.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Mark enjoys global travels, exploring diverse cuisines as an amateur food enthusiast, engaging in various sports, and maintaining a keen fascination with hippos.