Mayumi Wakebe

A graduate of the University of Birmingham, U.K., with a Master's degree in International Development, she has had a strong interest in Africa since her early teens, and after graduating from college, interned for a year at the Kigali, Rwanda office of an NGO that provides educational support for orphans and vocational training for widows. She has over 10 years of experience in the startup industry, including 5 years of VC experience. Personal angel investments include Japan, US, and now as of this year, Africa. Shizen Capital, an independent venture capital fund created by former entrepreneurs launched the Sprout program to nurture female GP candidates who aspire to manage VC funds, and she joined the program in September 2023 as a first candidate. To date, she has invested over ¥10 million to familiarize herself with Africa's startup ecosystem, history, economy, industry, culture and social issues. Combining the knowledge, she is now preparing an Africa-focused VC fund.