Vision

We are Entrepreneurs, investing in Entrepreneurs

Do not confuse us with any finance professionals, our approach is different, the one of entrepreneurs: We invest early and stay close to our founders through the turbulent first years, support them in their growth phase, and advise them on their future paths. We don't sell our shares once things start getting better and always keep an ability to adapt our exit strategies and timelines to the reality of our portfolio companies and entrepreneurs.

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Team

We are hands-on investors

Our entrepreneurial backgrounds enable us to provide our entrepreneurs with insightful feedback and mentoring. Building a company is a tough journey, and founders are not omniscient. It is our job to help them learn and avoid mistakes.

Benoit Delestre

Managing Partner
After creating and selling two Fintech companies in Europe, Benoit started investing in ambitious startups. Before launching Saviu, he founded Nadra Ventures, OCP's corporate VC investing in African companies. Benoit holds a Master's degree from the European Business School (France).

Samuel Touboul

Partner
Samuel has been working for more than 10 years within the Private Equity industry, with a strong focus on Impact Investments and Emerging markets. He started his career within Development Finance Institutions (United Nations, IFC), and then joined private equity funds at Newfund (Venture Capital, France), Argos (LBO, Europe) and Proparco (Growth Capital & Impact, Africa). Samuel holds a Master from ESSEC Business School, a Master from Sciences Po Paris, and a PhD from HEC Paris, where he still teaches Finance classes.

Cynthia Mandjek

Investment Manager
Before joining Saviu, Cynthia worked within the growth team at Eurazeo, a PE firm, and at Orange Digital Ventures in corporate VC. She also worked in consulting at Founders Intelligence and advised corporates on their digital transformation and tech/M&A strategies. Lately, she was the CEO Right-Hand at Aqemia, a biotech startup leveraging AI and quantum-inspired algorithms to discover new drugs. Cynthia holds a Msc in Management from ESCP Business School (France).

Mouhammad Sene

Analyst
Before joining Saviu, Mouhammad worked as an analyst in investment banking at Impaxis Capital (tier 1 boutique investment bank in West Africa) and at Dakar Network Angels, a VC firm investing in early stage startups in francophone West Africa. Born and raised in Senegal, he also has experience doing business on the continent as he founded PocketPerfume, selling imported small sized perfume online. Mouhammad holds a Msc in Corporate Finance from Toulouse Business School (France).

Hadrien Bacquaert

Analyst
Before joining Saviu, Hadrien worked as an analyst in M&A and Corporate Strategy at Bureau Veritas (global leader in the Testing, Inspection and Certification market). Born in the United States, raised between France and Morocco, before doing his studies in the United Kingdom, he developed a strong multi-cultural background during his international experiences. Hadrien holds a BSc in Management Science from the University College London (United Kingdom).

Karim Fakhry

Portfolio Manager
Investment team at SARCI (African refinery), Graduated from ESSEC Business School, Based in Ivory Coast

Genco Sanli

Venture Partner
27 years of experience in investment banking and start-ups management, Based in Nigeria

Papa Mady Sidibé

Venture Partner
Investment Officer at DER Fund, Based in Senegal
Governance

15+ investors with diverse backgrounds

We are fortunate to have gathered around us 15+ investors with diverse backgrounds and deep experience who provide our entrepreneurs with additional support. Our board is made up of professional investors who guide us to the right strategic decisions.