Building Africa’s bright future:

Verdant Ventures is an emerging markets real estate development and management company whose mission is to provide high quality real estate projects across Africa meeting diplomatic and international standards creating satisfied customers, empowered workers, and delighted investors.

Verdant Orchards is high-value, high-impact, perennial orchard business in Africa.  The portfolio currently holds Verdant Produce in Massingir, Mozambique and Verdant Orchards Munyati in Choma, Zambia.

Verdant Produce is a 500 hectare (1,235 acre) vegetable crop and citrus growing, packing, and global export business located at the base of the Massingir Reservoir in Southern Mozambique.  The soil and climate are ideally suited for crop and citrus production.

Verdant Orchards Munyati is an established 3,000 hectare (7,400 acre) multi-crop farm in southern Zambia.  370 hectares (915 acres) of this exceptionally well-managed property has been set aside for avocado production.

Verdant Frontiers Fintech Fund is an early-stage fintech venture fund focused on accelerating financial inclusion for African consumers and small businesses.

Specializing in solving business and social problems in tandem, we collaborate with leaders and entrepreneurs to start-up or scale purpose-driven businesses that accelerate Ethiopia’s industrial, agricultural, and technological transformation.

Mid-level hotel and restaurant targeted towards the thriving eco-tourism segment of those who come to visit the Kara, Hammar and Benna tribes surrounding the town of Turmi, Ethiopia where the lodge is located.

A medical imaging and radiology center. The center is open 365 days a year, and provides high quality medical imaging and diagnostic services for thousands of patients per year.

Feed production, cattle fattening and beef processing—first company in Ethiopia to successfully export beef growing to annual revenues of $7M and creating over 400 jobs.

Scott is a serial entrepreneur who has started, grown, and sold companies since 1998. Having led operations, sales and technology, Scott has a track record of consistent growth and profitability.

Tony has enjoyed 20+ years creating new businesses, launching five companies with multiple exits. Tony and his family lived in rural Kenya for three years, where he built a portfolio of 15 Kenyan companies.

Bruce, a resident of South Africa, has over 25 years of agricultural experience in Africa with specific experience in floriculture, tree nut and orchard crops, livestock, and grain, managing up to 10,000 staff and covering thousands of hectares.

Sherri has over 15 years experience in the CFO role.  Her background includes founding, scaling, and selling businesses in the Real Estate, Technology and Media industries.  She has been with Verdant the past 7 years and has been a key executive overseeing the growth of our portfolio that has deployed over $140m into the agriculture and real estate sectors in Africa.

Mike is an entrepreneurial lawyer with over 15 years of experience with a heart for helping grow successful businesses that promote human flourishing.  Before joining Verdant full-time, Mike had a private law practice providing strategic legal counsel and served as fractional general counsel to growth-stage companies.

Tigest is passionate about best practice, providing protection to companies and their employees to achieve their objectives.  She has 15 years of experience in financial management positions and as a consultant. She holds a Masters in Finance and Accounting and a Bachelors in Management Information Systems.

Melka is a systems thinker who thrives on bringing order and efficiency to clients’ organizations. He excels in change management and implementation of new solutions. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Leadership.

Lydia is a practicing lawyer with a diverse background spanning procurement, monitoring & evaluation. She has served as a corporate lawyer for major international companies and specializes in advising companies on their governance structures to allow freedom of operation while ensuring protection of shareholder value.

As an auditor & finance manager, Bemnet understands the challenges of clear financial reporting and its importance to a company’s success. With a BA in Accounting & Finance, she is eager to improve each client’s financial management and ensure they have the management data they need for success.

Emily has spent much of her career in information technology as well as database and executive administration. She holds a BS and MS in mathematics. Her motivation, focus and passion for service enables her to bring unique dedication to her role.

Alex is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer with extensive Africa experience. He provides legal and commercial support to Verdant and its portfolio companies.

Shannon is a passionate advocate for social justice around the world. As an attorney and activist, she sits on the board of several organizations including The Elders, Humanity United, TOMS, and charity: water.

Joey is the Senior Managing Partner of KM Capital Management, Ltd., a leading private wealth management firm focused on providing personalized comprehensive financial services to high net-worth professional athletes.

Scott is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a non-profit organization that works to bring clean and safe water to people in developing nations.  Over the past 14 years, charity: water has funded over 59,000 water projects in 29 countries, providing over 11 million people with clean and safe drinking water.

Neil brings over 17 years financial leadership experience spanning Goldman Sachs in NY and operational experience as a startup founder, and as the CFO of an East Africa-focused infrastructure development firm.

Seth is Co-Founder of Foundry Group, a venture capital firm that helps entrepreneurs and venture capital fund managers turn promising ideas into market-defining and market-leading businesses.

Mike is the Founder of Kings Path Partners, a firm providing investment management and wealth services for families and foundations. In addition, he serves as the Strategic Financial Advisor to the H.E. Butt Foundation.