Niraj Varia

Chief Executive Officer

2022 - 2023

iProcure is revolutionising traditional agricultural supply chains in Africa by developing its own distribution infrastructure connecting major agricultural input suppliers directly to local agro-dealers via its proprietary distribution technology system. By cutting out the multiple levels of middlemen in the traditional agricultural supply chain and providing technology-driven insights on supply levels and price, iProcure ensures the availability, quality, and delivery of critical agricultural inputs like fertilizers and seeds at up to 25% discount from prevailing market prices.

Board Member

2019 - 2022

The East African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (“EAVCA”) represents the private equity industry in East Africa and provides a voice for industry players to raise awareness and engage on regional policy matters. The association offers training, networking opportunities, capture industry data and statistics.

Partner

2018 - 2022

Novastar is a global VC working from the entrepreneurial centres of Lagos, London and Nairobi. It partners with gritty optimists to build businesses that create value for the many, not the few. Novastar entrepreneurs pursue big solutions with the potential to transform markets and sectors. Whether in healthcare, finance, education, agriculture, information or mobility, since 2014 the Novastar team has been following the threads of consumer behaviour to help power enduring change, for good.

Investment Director

2014 - 2018

Director

2009 - 2022

Strategic and management consulting to the social sector and private sector, with a particular focus on social enterprise.

Co Founder

2014 - 2021

Ki.chen provides fresh, tasty and healthy meals to Nairobi - at half the price of eating out at a coffee shop. We have taken recipes from around the world, adapted them for Nairobi tastes, serve them for KES 400 and deliver then within an hour of ordering.

Board Observer

2016 - 2017

On Purpose develops management talent in the social enterprise sector in the UK by attracting talented young high-flyers into the sector and developing them through a combination of placements, training and mentorship.

Chairman of the Board

2009 - 2016

On Purpose develops management talent in the social enterprise sector in the UK by attracting talented young high-flyers into the sector and developing them through a combination of placements, training and mentorship.

Managing Director

2013 - 2014

At Takamoto Biogas, we work to improve the lives of small-scale farmers by providing energy security. We believe that everyone should have access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy and our team of engineers works to develop and improve biogas products to better meet the growing energy needs of rural communities. Biogas is a versatile fuel that can be used for cooking, lighting and heating that many people can produce on their own farms with their animal waste. Use of biogas also decreases deforestation, reduces the upcountry workload and burns cleanly protecting the health of our clients.

Consultant

2010 - 2012

Led a number of projects including: - Assessing the opportunities and challenges to developing the soybean sector in seven Southern African countries (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe), with a particular focus on generating benefits for small holder farmers. - Analysing the indigenous chicken industry in Kenya to develop the indigenous chicken industry in Western Kenya with the goal of increasing incomes for 10,000 farmers over 3 years

Programme Director for Economic Development

2009 - 2010

Led the development of an SME fund for East Africa that targeted companies which benefited children in the region.

Project Manager

2005 - 2009