Find your path to Ben
731 people in our graph share verified history with Ben — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Martijn KleijwegtunlockedBen: together at University of Amsterdam (2008–2009)
Ben: together at Columbia Business School
×5Ben: together at U.S. Department of State
×3Ben: together at Questrom School of Business, Boston University
About
A venture strategist and ecosystem architect who helped establish institutions such as VC4A, AfriLabs and ABAN, and co-founded the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit. He leads Sanaga Ventures' strategy and partnerships and co-invests with angel networks across Africa.
Experience
- Sanaga VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2011 — presentAmsterdam
- European CommissionPermanent Member of the Management Team "Investing in Young Businesses in Africa" (TEI IYBA)current2023 — present
- VC4ADirectorcurrent2023 — presentAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- VC4AFounder and CEO2007 — 2022https://vc4a.com
- Africa Early Stage Investor SummitCo-Foundercurrent2014 — presentCity of Cape Town
- ABANMember of the Board of Advisorscurrent2024 — present
- ABANIndependent Board Member of the Executive Committee2021 — 2024Mauritius
- ABANCoFounder and Vice President2014 — 2021
- AfriLabsMember Of The Board Of Advisorscurrent2015 — presentAbuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
- AfriLabsMember Of The Supervisory Board2013 — 2014Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
- AfriLabsCoFounder & General Manager2011 — 2012Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
- Tony Blair Institute for Global ChangePan-African Policy Taskforce - TBI, i4Policy and Smart Africa2022 — 2024
- The World Bank Group Treasury (IBRD•IDA•IFC)Founding Partner XL Africa2016 — 2022City of Cape Town
- European CommissionAdvisory Board Member Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership2019 — 2021Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium
- Thomson ReutersLead Implementation Africa Startup Challenge2016London, United Kingdom
- BopincInclusive Business Accelerator (IBA) - CoFounder and Member Board of Directors2014 — 2016Amsterdam Area, Netherlands
- U.S. Department of StateFounding Partner LIONS Africa Partnership2014 — 2016Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Hivos -Humanist Organisation for Social Change-Manager Green Pioneer Accelerator2014 — 2015Nairobi, Kenya
- Amsterdam University of Applied SciencesLecturer Interactive Media and Entrepreneurship2010 — 2011Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (HIVOS)Program Development ICT & Entrepreneurship2009 — 2011The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
- MAKMENDE MediaCommercial Director and Owner2006 — 2008Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- AfricanewsCommercial Director2006 — 2008Netherlands
- Forrester ResearchTechnology Research and Sales Consultant2003Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- Pollock CommunicationsPublic Relations Associate2002Manhattan, New York, United States
Skills & more
Marketing StrategyCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)Data AnalysisAnalytical SkillsBusiness AnalysisFinancial AnalysisAccountingConsultative SalesSalesAcquisitionsSales ManagementProduct Development
+12 more
University TeachingCurriculum DevelopmentCourse DesignPeer MentoringPortfolio ManagementPortfolio DevelopmentProgram DeisgnDue DiligenceContract NegotiationOperations ManagementNetwork BuildingTeam LeadershipLanguages Dutch · English · Spanish
- Senior Executive Program: Venture Capital & Private Equity — Columbia Business School Executive Education
- Blockchain in Business: Beyond the Hype — Columbia Business School Executive Education
- Financial Analysis and Valuation — Columbia Business School Executive Education
- Mergers and Acquisitions — Columbia Business School Executive Education
- Digital Marketing: Customer Engagement, Social Media, Planning & Analytics — Columbia Business School Executive Education
- VC4A Certified Mentor — VC4A
- ScaleUp Nation Board Progam & Governance for High Growth Startups — ScaleUpNation
From Ben's professional profile.
Colleagues at Sanaga Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Ben White?
- A venture strategist and ecosystem architect who helped establish institutions such as VC4A, AfriLabs and ABAN, and co-founded the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit. He leads Sanaga Ventures' strategy and partnerships and co-invests with angel networks across Africa.
- Where does Ben White work?
- Ben White is Managing Partner at Sanaga Ventures.
- Where did Ben White go to school?
- Ben White studied at University of Amsterdam (Research Master, College of Humanities); Columbia Business School (Senior Executive Program, Venture Capital Private Equity); Questrom School of Business, Boston University (Bachelor of Science and Business Administration, International Business and Economics).
Founder mafias
Columbia Business School mafia192
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ryan PetersenMBAFounded FlexportMartin VarsavskyMBAFounded Vas +5Giovanni ColellaMaster of Business Administration (MBA)Founded Ooda Health +3Eduardo NeeterExecutive EducationFounded Atdc +2Jonathan SteinMBAFounded Betterment Holdings, Inc. +2Thomas HendrixMBAFounded Decisive Point +1
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+ 185 more
University of Amsterdam mafia74
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Job van der VoortMScFounded Remote Technology +1Helmuth van EsDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)Founded Antabio +2Sebastian BrunemeierMScFounded Cyclone Therapeutics +1Ingrid van WelieBachelor's degreeFounded Neural Dynamics Technologies +1Daniel HavenFounded Slauth.io +1David WylerBachelor's degreeFounded Kairos +1
+ 67 more
Questrom School of Business, Boston University mafia28
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Vishal SunakBS/BAFounded LinkSquares +2Kimberly Moos (Bridges), PMPMBAFounded Cotton Cuts +1Yaakov ZarBSBAFounded Lev +1Rony Patishi-ChillimMBAFounded Fresh StartSantiago RibadeneiraBsFounded FastFarmaSteve WietreckiMBAFounded Prodport
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+ 21 more
Forrester mafia11
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Brian BenedictSenior Account ExecutiveFounded Arcee AIMatthew NordanResearch AssociateFounded Prime CoalitionCharles FinlayResearch AssociateFounded CybersecurecatalystRemus BrettResearch Director, Financial ServicesFounded FinaltaNick RaushenbushResearch SpecialistFounded ShogunNaxin WangResearcherFounded Obento Health
+ 4 more
Same school
Also attended University of Amsterdam284
Job van der VoortCo-founder & CEO of RemoteMartijn KleijwegtInvestor at LSP (Life Sciences Partners)René KuijtenInvestor at LSP (Life Sciences Partners)TorjusInvestor at InvestinorDamien van der BijlInvestment Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersAndrea van ElsasInvestor at Third Rock Ventures
+ 278 more
Also attended Columbia Business School991
Ryan PetersenFounder & CEO of FlexportAryo TehranianManaging Director at Mayfair Equity PartnersYibo NianInvestment Director at Intel CapitalKesha CashFounder & General Partner at Impact America FundMahati SridharPartner, Rise of the Rest at RevolutionGiuseppe IademarcoHead of Global Partnership at P101 Ventures
+ 985 more
Also attended Questrom School of Business, Boston University141
Sujata BhatiaInvestor at Index VenturesTroy PhoaAssociate at Marlin Equity PartnersGlen BressnerCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Activate Venture PartnersRony Patishi-ChillimInvestor at Israel Cleantech VenturesJason RobartCo-founder and General Partner at Seae VenturesLisa DutotFinance Administration Manager at Red Cell Incubation
+ 135 more
Shared employers
Also worked at ABAN2
Also worked at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change2
Also worked at The World Bank Group Treasury (IBRD•IDA•IFC)2
Also worked at Thomson Reuters163
Andrea HippeauPartner at Lerer HippeauBob StefanskiManaging Director at eLab VenturesRhie LimPartner, Global Strategy at One Way VenturesJoePartner at Thomson Reuters VenturesJosef NajmPrincipal at Thomson Reuters VenturesJillExecutive Assistant at Thomson Reuters Ventures
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+ 157 more