Riki Yamauchi is a venture capitalist at Novastar Ventures, focused on driving sustainable growth through impactful investments in Africa. In this episode, Riki shares his journey from a successful finance career in Japan to becoming a leading advocate for startup innovation in Africa.

Riki discusses the unique opportunities and challenges of venture capital in Africa, highlighting how startups are innovating to solve local problems and drive positive change. He also reflects on the importance of measuring impact in his investments, the critical role of building trust in the venture capital space, and how young entrepreneurs are shaping Africa’s future.

Join us as Riki shares his personal experiences, lessons learned from navigating a new market, and offers advice to aspiring changemakers looking to make a difference through business and investment.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and the transformative potential of venture capital in Africa.

Highlights:

03:11 Riki's Journey: From Finance to Venture Capital

06:02 Understanding Venture Capital: A New Perspective

15:07 Spotlight on Startups: Innovations in Africa

17:56 Life in Kenya: Surprises and Insights

21:14 Challenges Faced: Personal and Professional Growth

24:05 The Drive for Impact: Riki’s Motivation

26:58 Reflections on Growth: Lessons Learned

29:46 Advice for Aspiring Change Makers

33:09 Future Endeavors: What's Next for Riki and NovaStar

Follow Riki and his team at Novastar Ventures here:https://www.novastarventures.com/