Where does Jake Kendall work?

Jake Kendall is Founder and Director at DFS Lab.

What check size does Jake Kendall write?

Jake Kendall typically writes checks of $50K – $1M.

Where did Jake Kendall go to school?

Jake Kendall studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Bachelor of Science - BS, Physics); University of California, Santa Cruz (PhD, Economics); Nikiski Jr/Sr High School (HS).

Jake Kendall

Investor

Founder and Director at DFS Lab

Greater Paris Metropolitan Region

Writes $50K – $1M checks

About

Jake Kendall is a researcher-trained economist and GP who combines academic teaching at Sciences Po with thesis-driven African fintech research, advocating augmentation over automation and leveraging telco data and AI.

Invests in

AgTechE-commerceFintechFoodTechLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplaces

Experience

DFS LabCo-Founder and Directorcurrent2017 — presentParis Area, France
Cambridge Judge Business SchoolResearch Fellowcurrent2025 — present
Sciences PoEnseignantcurrent2023 — presentParis, Île-de-France, France
Caribou DigitalDirector of Digital Financial Services Innovation Lab2016 — 2019Greater Seattle Area
University of WashingtonVisiting Researcher2016 — 2019Greater Seattle Area
Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationDeputy Director, Research and Innovation2015 — 2016Greater Seattle Area
Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationSenior Program Officer, Research and Innovation2010 — 2015Greater Seattle Area
World Economic ForumCouncil Member: Data for Development Council2014 — 2016
The World BankEconomist at CGAP group2008 — 2010Washington D.C. Metro Area
University of California, Santa CruzPhd Student Lecturer2003 — 2008Santa Cruz, Californie, États-Unis
Young and RubicamQuantitative Brand Analyst2003New York, États-Unis
Arcot Inc.Public Key Encryption Sales Engineer2002New York, États-Unis
CertCo Inc.Public Key Encryption Deployment Engineer2000 — 2002New York, États-Unis
Peace CorpsFisheries Extension Agent1998 — 2000Zambie

Skills & more

Scholarly ResearchGuest LecturingVisitor StudiesArtificial Intelligence (AI)Investigative ResearchAccess to Finance24International Development30Economics35Policy Analysis5Program Management5Economic Development5International Relations1

+12 more

Project ManagementPublic PolicyBankingFinanceMicrofinanceProgram EvaluationSocial EntrepreneurshipBusiness DevelopmentManagementCapacity BuildingStrategyCorporate Finance

Languages English · French

Human Subjects Research – Social-Behavioral-Educational Refresher 1 — CITI Program

From Jake's professional profile.

Colleagues at DFS Lab

Stephen Deng

Co-Founder and Partner at DFS Lab

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jake Kendall?: Jake Kendall is a researcher-trained economist and GP who combines academic teaching at Sciences Po with thesis-driven African fintech research, advocating augmentation over automation and leveraging telco data and AI.
Where does Jake Kendall work?: Jake Kendall is Founder and Director at DFS Lab.
What does Jake Kendall invest in?: Jake Kendall invests in AgTech, E-commerce, Fintech, FoodTech, Logistics & Supply Chain, Marketplaces.
What check size does Jake Kendall write?: Jake Kendall typically writes checks of $50K – $1M.
Where did Jake Kendall go to school?: Jake Kendall studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Bachelor of Science - BS, Physics); University of California, Santa Cruz (PhD, Economics); Nikiski Jr/Sr High School (HS).

Same school

Also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology1,387

Fred WilsonCo-founder & Partner at Union Square Ventures Elad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil Capital Aileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy Ventures Hemant TanejaCEO & Managing Director of General Catalyst Nat FriedmanCo-lead of Meta Superintelligence Labs; co-founder of NFDG Brad FeldCo-founder of Foundry and Techstars

+ 1,381 more

Also attended University of California, Santa Cruz74

Daniela AmodeiCo-founder & President of Anthropic Neha JewalikarDirector of Communications at Scale Venture Partners Christine SamsAssistant Controller at Crosslink Capital Anne FoorInvestor at Khosla Ventures Noor NijjerHead of Investor Relations at Sierra Ventures John BurkeCo-Founder, Managing Partner at PROOF

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Shared employers

Also worked at Sciences Po18

Erica DelamareInvestor at Daphni Vincent PreviManaging Director at Partech Ventures Matthieu LattesGeneral Partner at White Star Capital Arnaud LaurentGeneral partner at OVNI Capital Javier SantisoCEO and General Partner at Mundi Ventures Kaisa VirolainenSenior Associate at The Footprint Firm

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Also worked at University of Washington95

Joe HorsmanInvestor at Madrona Venture Group Mike FridgenVenture Partner at Madrona Venture Group Sid ShenaiVenture partner at Madrona and co-founder and CEO of Proof Diagnostics Paul JennyBoard Chair at CincyTech Jason PrestonInvestor at Alsop Louie Partners Elliot HershbergScientist, Writer, and Investor on a mission to accelerate The Century of Biology

+ 89 more

Also worked at The World Bank120

Sara SecallGeneral Partner at Inveready Technology Investment Group Ska Sijia DuPrincipal at Karma Ventures Kavita GuptaSpecial Advisor at Buckhill Capital Sri PedduInvestor at Powerhouse Ventures Gunner HardyAssociate at BOLD Longevity Jose María FernándezPartner at Asabys Partners

+ 114 more

Also worked at University of California, Santa Cruz33

Michelle ModestInvestor at Alpha Partners Shawn KungInvestor at Inception Studio Capital Tim ThimmaiahPrincipal at Black Jays Ventures Dr. Ryan SpitlerAdvisory Partner at Boutique Venture Partners Asmi ShahChief of Staff at Neythri Futures Fund Raj KapanyInvestor at Sand Hill Angels

+ 27 more