Ovais Naqvi

Ovais is a Partner at Rise Capital, a leading Series A&B internet investor in growth markets.His career spans two decades in consumer industries, regional PE and global VC. He has been involved in transactions such as Careem and Hepsiburada. Ovais co-founded Wamda.com, now part of Wamda. He has served on boards in Africa, MENA and Pakistan and been a WEF Global Future Councils member for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Experience

• Rise Capital
  • Partner, Investment Committee, EMEA Jun 2018 – Present
• Modanisa
  • Board Member, Investment Committee Member May 2018 –
• Eight Inc and X8 Ventures
  • Advisor to the CEO May 2018 –
• London Business School
  • Guest Lecturer Feb 2011 –
• Founders Forum
  • Founders Advisors Mentor May 2020 – Sep 2020
• Java House Africa
  • Board Member Oct 2017 – Feb 2020
• World Economic Forum
  • Global Future Councils Mar 2017 – Mar 2019
• The Abraaj Group
  • Managing Director, Co-Head, New Economy Investing Apr 2012 – May 2018
• Hepsiburada
  • Board Observer Feb 2015 – Dec 2017
• Wamda ومضة
  • Co-Founder Mar 2010 – Apr 2012
• K-Electric
  • Chief Engagement Officer Sep 2008 – Feb 2010
• Gloria Books
  • Founder & CEO Dec 2004 – Sep 2008
• TASCHEN
  • Special Projects Jun 2003 – Dec 2004
• DJPA Partnership
  • Managing Director 2003 – 2004
• Ogilvy/WPP
  • Group Director Jan 2001 – Jun 2003
• Cupola Group
  • Vice President Jun 1996 – Dec 2000

Education

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) BSc(Econ) Economics BSc(Econ) - International Trade & Development
• Wharton Business School Executive Education Integrating Finance and Marketing 2000