Sam Sturm
InvestorChief Portfolio Officer at Founders Factory Africa
New York, New York, United States
About
Sam Sturm is an operating partner at Interplay's Studio with over 15 years of experience in venture building and investing. He has co-founded two venture funds and a venture studio, and backed more than 160 founders across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States. His work encompasses launching ventures, pre-seed investing, scaling organizations, and building go-to-market and partnerships functions.
Experience
- InterplayOperating Partner, Studiocurrent2025 — presentNew York, NY
- TUNLBoard Membercurrent2024 — presentCity of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
- 54 Collective VCCo-founder, Chief Portfolio Officer2023 — 2025London, England, United Kingdom
- Founders Factory Africa (now 54 Collective)Co-founder, Head of New Ventures2018 — 2022London Area, United Kingdom
- fuseprojectStrategy Lead - Business Innovation & Venture Strategy2018San Francisco Bay Area
- fuseprojectSenior Strategist2016 — 2018San Francisco Bay Area
- fuseprojectStrategist2015 — 2016San Francisco Bay Area
- fuseprojectStrategy Associate2014 — 2015Greater New York City Area
- ?What If! Innovation PartnersStrategy Associate - Transformation Team2013New York City Metropolitan Area
- Strive For CollegeFounding Director, Strategic Growth and Development2011 — 2012
- TEAM Schools: A KIPP Region6th Grade Writing Teacher2008 — 2010Newark, NJ
- New York City Department of EducationFounding 6th Grade ELA Teacher2006 — 2008Bronx, NY
- Teach For AmericaCorps Member2006 — 2008Bronx, BY
Education
- Yale School of ManagementMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)2012 — 2014
- Amherst CollegeB.A., Interdisciplinary (Narrative Studies2002 — 2006
Skills & more
Venture Studio OperationsGo-to-Market StrategyStrategic PartnershipsNew Venture DevelopmentEarly Stage InvestmentEarly-Stage StartupsStartup DevelopmentPortfolio ManagementCorporate Venture CapitalCross-functional Team LeadershipFinTechInnovation Management
+12 more
Business DevelopmentStrategySocial EntrepreneurshipEducational LeadershipPublic SpeakingProgram DevelopmentNon-profitsCurriculum DesignEducation PolicyEntrepreneurshipFinancial ModelingDesign ThinkingFrom Sam's professional profile.
Colleagues at Founders Factory Africa
Adam Morris
Product Designer at Founders Factory Africa
Adam Wakefield
Managing Editor at Founders Factory Africa
Adelaide Njoki Muthang'i
Investment Associate at Founders Factory Africa
Alina Truhina
Board Member at Founders Factory Africa
Amara Muoneke
Venture Design Lead at Founders Factory Africa
Andile Masuku
Head of Community at Founders Factory Africa
Andrew Obuoforibo
Head of Product at Founders Factory Africa
Ayotunde Aladejana
Head of Partnerships at Founders Factory Africa
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Sam Sturm work?
- Sam Sturm is Chief Portfolio Officer at Founders Factory Africa.
Same school
Also attended Yale School of Management126
Sanjot MalhiPartner at NorthzoneTrip HoferVenture Partner at .406 VenturesAustin KwounAnalyst at .406 VenturesNate WangVP of Investments at Plum Alley InvestmentsGabby CazeauInvestor at Harlem Capital PartnersRobert BettigoleManaging Partner at Elm Street Ventures
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Shared employers
Also worked at 54 Collective VC41
Frank WebsterHead of Corporate Development at Founders FactoryKonstantin BehrAdvisor at SatganaNzwisisa ChidemboCTO in Residence at Enza CapitalAdam MorrisProduct Designer at Founders Factory AfricaAdam WakefieldManaging Editor at Founders Factory AfricaAdelaide Njoki Muthang'iInvestment Associate at Founders Factory Africa
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Also worked at ?What If! Innovation Partners5
Also worked at Strive For College1
Also worked at New York City Department of Education14
Stephanie VolkVice President, Platform at Ironspring VentureEthan KurzweilInvestor at ChemistryJustin KazmarkInvestor at TMV LogisticsSoenda HowellPartner at Charter School Growth FundAaron WalkerSteward at Gratitude RailroadAaronHead of Programme, Education at Deep Science Ventures
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