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Jake Kendall

Founder and Director, DFS Lab

About

Jake Kendall is a trained economist and researcher turned venture investor at DFS Lab who brings an unusually academic profile to African fintech investing, holding roles as both GP and teacher at Sciences Po while publishing detailed, thesis-driven research on African markets that frames investment views around structural demand constraints rather than typical Africa rising narratives. He advocates for building cyborgs not androids in Africa, emphasizing augmentation of existing systems with digital tools rather than full automation, and positions himself at the intersection of AI and Africa's economic future with particular expertise in how telco and mobile operator data can enable new financial services models. Jake Kendall is a trained economist and researcher turned venture investor at DFS Lab who brings an unusually academic profile to African fintech investing, holding roles as both GP and teacher at Sciences Po while publishing detailed, thesis-driven research on African markets that frames investment views around structural demand constraints rather than typical Africa rising narratives. He advocates for building cyborgs not androids in Africa, emphasizing augmentation of existing systems with digital tools rather than full automation, and positions himself at the intersection of AI and Africa's economic future with particular expertise in how telco and mobile operator data can enable new financial services models.

Works At

DFS Lab

Founder and Director

Investment Focus

Stages
Pre-Seed
Seed
Sectors
Fintech
Ecommerce
Logistics
Food & Ag
Marketplaces

Investment Details

Avg Check Size$50K - $1M
Can Lead Rounds
No
Geographies
Africa
Asia-Pacific