Press Kit
Profile images of Uwem Uwemakpan
Professional Headlines
- Africa’s Bridge to Global Capital & Innovation
- Head of Investment at Launch Africa Ventures
- Host of The Grinders Table – Profiling Africa’s Most Impactful Leaders
- Venture Capital Leader & Ecosystem Builder
Twitter – https://twitter.com/monsieuruwem
Instagram – https://instagram.com/monsieuruwem
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/uwemuwemakpan
Professional Bios
These are different bios you can use depending on purpose and length:
One line bio (50 words)
Uwem Uwemakpan bridges global capital with African innovation as Head of Investment at Launch Africa VC and host of The Grinders Table podcast. Known for spotting tomorrow’s market leaders before they hit the mainstream, he profiles the continent’s most impactful founders, investors, and business leaders shaping Africa’s future.
Short bio (100 words)
Uwem Uwemakpan stands as Africa’s essential bridge between global capital and transformative innovation. As Head of Investment at Launch Africa VC, he identifies and backs founders who later secure major follow-on funding rounds, having facilitated over $200M in investments. Through The Grinders Table podcast, he profiles the continent’s most impactful innovators, investors, and C-suite leaders, creating an unmatched network of game-changers. His unique ability to spot category-defining startups in their earliest stages has made him a trusted voice for global investors seeking authentic African market intelligence and sustainable impact opportunities.
Medium Bio (250 words)
Uwem Uwemakpan serves as the essential bridge between global capital and Africa’s most promising innovations. As Head of Investment at Launch Africa VC, he has an unparalleled track record of identifying breakthrough founders 12-18 months before they become industry darlings, having facilitated over $200M in strategic investments across the continent.
His investment philosophy centers on backing founders who think beyond borders while staying rooted in African realities. Under his leadership at multiple venture capital funds—including Ingressive Capital’s $60M total AUM and Launch Africa’s $75M Seed Fund II—he has built portfolios of high-performing startups that consistently secure significant follow-on funding from tier-one global investors.
Beyond deal-making, Uwem amplifies African innovation through The Grinders Table podcast, where he profiles the continent’s most impactful founders, investors, and C-suite leaders. This platform has become the go-to source for understanding who’s really driving change across African markets, creating an invaluable network of industry game-changers.
Before venture capital, Uwem scaled the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s $100M entrepreneurship program, exceeding its 10-year goal of empowering 10,000 entrepreneurs in just five years. This experience cemented his reputation as a trusted ecosystem builder with deep founder relationships.
Today, Uwem continues bridging the gap between global investors and African opportunities through strategic deal-making, thought leadership, and his expanding network of innovators. His collaborations with organizations like Google, IBM, and Techstars strengthen Africa’s startup infrastructure while his podcast ensures the continent’s most compelling stories reach global audiences.
Speaking Topics
- Africa’s $1 Trillion Innovation Opportunity: What Global Investors Need to Know
- Spotting Tomorrow’s Market Leaders: Inside Africa’s Founder Pipeline
- Building Bridges: How to Successfully Connect Global Capital with African Innovation
- The Art of Ecosystem Building: Creating Sustainable Startup Communities
- Behind the Deals: What Makes African Startups Investment-Ready
- From Local Solutions to Global Markets: Africa’s Innovation Role
Area of Expertise
- Founder Discovery & Assessment
- Cross-Border Investment Strategy
- African Market Intelligence
- Ecosystem Building & Community Development
- Deal Structuring & Negotiation
- Strategic Partnership Development
What Makes Uwem Different
Most global investors see risk where I see opportunity. After 10+ years navigating African markets, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about capital – it’s about understanding the founders, the culture, and the unique innovation patterns that define this continent. The best African startups don’t just solve local problems; they create solutions the world needs.
Contact Information
For speaking engagements, interviews, or strategic discussions:
Email: contact[@]uwemakpan.me
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/uwemuwemakpan