Fundraising Fox

Phumlani Nkontwana

Investor

Head of Research at Jasiri

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

About

Phumlani Nkontwana is Founding Director at the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship, where he focuses on strengthening high-impact ventures across the continent. Over 16 years, he has worked with development agencies, governments, venture philanthropies, academic institutions, and private sector organizations across multiple African countries and in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Brazil. He is currently documenting his experiences and ongoing ventures to develop knowledge products for practitioners and policymakers in entrepreneurship-led development.

Experience

  1. Allan Gray Centre for Africa EntrepreneurshipFounding Directorcurrent2023 — presentStellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
  2. Fuata AfricaFounder & CEOcurrent2013 — presentJohannesburg Area, South Africa
  3. Interdisciplinary Network for Technology and Entrepreneurship Research in AfricaResearch Fellow2020 — 2025
  4. Graduate School of Business - University of Cape TownSenior Lecturer & Faculty2022 — 2023Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  5. Graduate School of Business - University of Cape TownAdjunct Faculty2021 — 2022Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  6. Allan & Gill Gray PhilanthropiesHead of Research and M&E2019 — 2022Africa
  7. Stellenbosch UniversityPart-time Lecturer2019 — 2021Stellenbosch
  8. Stellenbosch UniversityLecturer & Faculty2016 — 2018Stellenbosch, Cape Town
  9. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHInternational Consultant2017 — 2019Tlemcen, Algeria
  10. Centre for Complex Systems in TransitionResearcher2016 — 2018Stellenbosch
  11. GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science)Programme Manager: Enterprise Development Academy (EDA)2015 — 2016Illovo, Johannesburg
  12. Edcon (Pty) LtdBusiness Analyst2007 — 2009City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Education

  1. Stellenbosch UniversityDoctor of Philosophy - PhD, Economics of Entrepreneurship2019 — 2022
  2. Schumacher CollegeThree Horizons, Systems Science and Theory2017
  3. Harvard Business SchoolCertificate in Entrepreneurship Education, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies2016
  4. University of JohannesburgMaster of Commerce (MCom), Development Economics2014 — 2016
  5. University of Cape TownBachelor of Commerce (BCom), Economics and Statistics2004 — 2007
  6. Zwelibanzi Senior SecondarySenior National Certificate2002 — 2003

Skills & more

Technical ResearchScholarly ResearchInvestigative ResearchNonprofits5Entrepreneurship31Social Entrepreneurship4Workshop Facilitation4Corporate Social ResponsibilityFundraising2Organizational Development7Leadership Development9Management Consulting6
+11 moreProject ManagementBusiness DevelopmentResearchBusiness StrategyStrategic PlanningPublic SpeakingStrategyManagementLeadershipAnalysisAnalytical Skills

Languages English · IsiZulu · Sotho · Xhosa

From Phumlani's professional profile.

Colleagues at Jasiri

Aline Kabanda
Regional Director at Jasiri
Allan Kimaina
Data Scientist at Jasiri
Amani Eric
Mid Level Software Developer at Jasiri
Aneth Batamuliza
Entrepreneurship Community Manager at Jasiri
Anthony Farr
CEO at Jasiri
Dr. Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi
Country Lead at Jasiri
Elizabeth Jahncke
Product Owner at Jasiri
Florentine Dusabeyezu
Junior Software Developer at Jasiri

Frequently asked questions

Where does Phumlani Nkontwana work?
Phumlani Nkontwana is Head of Research at Jasiri.

Same school

Also attended Schumacher College3

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Also attended Harvard Business School1,969

Brad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter Capital; architect of Invest America; BG2 co-hostAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalTim DraperFounder of Draper AssociatesMike Maples JrCo-founding Partner at FloodgateMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner Perkins

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Also attended University of Johannesburg17

Ross GoodwinVenture Debt Fund at Salica InvestmentsMark EsterhuizenPartner at Aura GroupHillel ZidelManaging Director at Kennet PartnersLaura CowanDirector & Finance Executive at Crossfin TechnologyCuthbert MalindiNon-Executive Director at BongoHiveAdrian SmithDirector at Advent Partners

+ 11 more

Also attended University of Cape Town154

Roelof BothaAdvisor & former Steward at Sequoia Capital; SpaceX board memberJames DetweilerVP of Investments at Felicis VenturesAvron MarcusInvestor at Index VenturesLaurel BowdenPartner at 83NorthAlan EzekowitzInvestor at Third Rock VenturesAndy VitusPartner at Scale Venture Partners

+ 148 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town1

Lianne Du ToitInvestor at Dazzle Angels

Also worked at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH18

Lena ThiedeCo-Founder & General Partner at Planet A VenturesEmily EisenblatterPartner at OVNI CapitalJulia PettengillInvestor at Schooner CapitalKatrin RobeckManaging Director at IBB VenturesSilke NeugebohrnCarbon Portfolio Manager at Nexus for DevelopmentInga PetrovaVP Special Projects, People & Operations at NODWIN Gaming

+ 12 more