About
Karen Serem Waithaka is CEO at DOB Equity, based in the Nairobi office since September 2024, with a focus on impact investing in Africa. She previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund, an early-stage VC fund and accelerator backing climate-tech startups, and as Investment Director at Global Partnerships Social Venture Fund, and held investment roles at Safaricom Spark Venture Fund and TBL Mirror Fund. She holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from Curtin University of Technology and a Master of Finance from the University of New South Wales.
Invests in
Climate TechImpact & Social Good
Experience
- DOB EquityChief Executive Officercurrent2024 — present
- Catalyst FundChief Investment Officer2023 — 2024
- Catalyst FundInvestment Principal, Africa2023
- Global PartnershipsInvestment Director2021 — 2022Nairobi, Kenya
- Ertan ConsultingDirector2017 — 2021Nairobi
- TBL Mirror FundInvestment Associate2015 — 2017
- TBL Mirror FundInvestment Analyst2013 — 2015Nairobi
- Safaricom Spark Venture FundInvestment Associate2014 — 2016Kenya
- Retirement Benefits AuthorityActuarial Officer2011 — 2013Nairobi
- PwCCorporate Finance Analyst2011Nairobi
- Russell InvestmentsConsulting Analyst2007 — 2010Sydney, Australia
Skills & more
Analysis13Financial Analysis17Actuarial Science19Valuation14Insurance4Pension Funds13Quantitative Finance2Defined Benefit3Pensions18Due Diligence11Mergers & Acquisitions8Financial Modeling9
+4 more
Portfolio ManagementInvestment ManagementInvestmentsRisk ManagementFrom Karen's professional profile.
Colleagues at DOB Equity
Anne Ngugi
Senior Investment Manager at DOB Equity
Anthony Mahira
Investment Manager at DOB Equity
Bas Jongtien
Legal Counsel at DOB Equity
Ciku Mugambi
Investment Director at DOB Equity
Coen Boevé
CFO at DOB Equity
Francis Quint
Chair of the Board at DOB Equity
Frank Tobé
Board Member at DOB Equity
Jonathan Mukoro
Investment Associate at DOB Equity
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Karen Serem Waithaka?
- Karen Serem Waithaka is CEO at DOB Equity, based in the Nairobi office since September 2024, with a focus on impact investing in Africa. She previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund, an early-stage VC fund and accelerator backing climate-tech startups, and as Investment Director at Global Partnerships Social Venture Fund, and held investment roles at Safaricom Spark Venture Fund and TBL Mirror Fund. She holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from Curtin University of Technology and a Master of Finance from the University of New South Wales.
- Where does Karen Serem Waithaka work?
- Karen Serem Waithaka is CEO at DOB Equity.
- What does Karen Serem Waithaka invest in?
- Karen Serem Waithaka invests in Climate Tech, Impact & Social Good.
- Where did Karen Serem Waithaka go to school?
- Karen Serem Waithaka studied at UNSW (Master of Finance, Funds Management); Curtin University (Bachelor of Science (BSc), Actuarial Science).
Same school
Also attended UNSW348
Mike Cannon-BrookesCo-founder & CEO of AtlassianScott FarquharCo-founder of AtlassianJeremy PhilipsInvestor at Spark CapitalSimon CantInvestor at Reinventure GroupDanny GilliganInvestor at Reinventure GroupLeah MitchellChief of Staff at Differential Ventures
+ 342 more
Also attended Curtin University54
Alex GrasPrincipal at Mercury FundSam KroonenburgVenture Partner at AirTree VenturesJohn PearcePartner Emeritus at Underscore VCKaitlyn TregenzaAdvisor at Emmeline VenturesAnn NgFinance Director at SR One Capital ManagementSilvia GhonataOperations, Director at TRIREC
+ 48 more
Shared employers
Also worked at DOB Equity9
Ciku MugambiInvestment Director at DOB EquityBas JongtienLegal Counsel at DOB EquityAnne NgugiSenior Investment Manager at DOB EquityNathan CheruiyotInvestment Associate at DOB EquityBrandon WolfeCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Jordan PartnersDan PfeilAssociate at Energy Capital Ventures
+ 3 more
Also worked at Catalyst Fund6
Also worked at Global Partnerships26
Bill RichterCEO of Qumulo and venture partner at MadronaJon BaylessInvestor at Aristos VenturesAlan PierceInvestor at Aristos VenturesMike GalgonChief Executive Officer at Global PartnershipsMark CoffeyPresident at Global PartnershipsMichael McGinnChief Financial Officer at Global Partnerships
+ 20 more
