CEO/Co-Founder

The Client

Our client, Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) https://www.purpleelephant.ventures , is the world’s first tourism focused venture studio. They work with the ethos – “Build Quickly, Kill Quickly”. They run each start-up idea through vigorous data-driven processes; they build fast, kill bad ideas fast, and focus their energy and resources on the winners.

The Role

PowerTrip, a PEV company, is seeking a CEO/Co-Founder with deep expertise in climate and energy finance. The mission: to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient appliances in Africa by making them cost-competitive through innovative financing models.

The ideal candidate is a senior leader in the African climate/energy space, with a proven track record of designing and raising capital for innovative financing vehicles. Alongside financial acumen, you bring operational leadership experience - able to run teams, execute on the ground, and drive growth in an early-stage environment.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping PowerTrip’s strategy, proving its unit economics, and scaling a marketplace for energy-efficient appliances across Kenya and East Africa.

This is an equity-heavy co-founder role. You will receive a significant ownership stake in the company, alongside full venture studio support to build and scale PowerTrip successfully.

Key Responsibilities

· Innovative Finance Leadership:Structure and raise capital for financing vehicles (grants, debt, blended finance) to drive adoption of energy-efficient appliances.

· Operational Leadership:Build and lead an operational team, ensuring strong execution and delivery in a resource-constrained, early-stage environment.

· Strategic Growth: Define and execute PowerTrip’s growth roadmap, moving from proof-of-concept to scale.

· Partnership Development:Cultivate relationships with donors, development finance institutions (DFIs), climate funds, and private investors.

· Impact Delivery: Demonstrate measurable climate, cost, and operational benefits for end-users while scaling adoption.

Required Qualifications

· Senior leadership experience in a climate or energy-focused start-up in Africa.

· Proven ability to structure innovative financing vehicles (e.g. blended finance, concessionary debt, grant-leveraged models).

· Track record of raising capital for such vehicles (both grant funding and debt financing).

· Demonstrated operational leadership, with experience running teams and delivering results in dynamic environments.

· Entrepreneurial drive and appetite to build and scale a high-impact business with significant equity upside.

· Relevant degree (finance, economics, engineering, or related field). Postgraduate qualifications is an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

· Climate and energy finance expertise.

· Fundraising – grants, debt, and blended finance.

· Operational leadership and team management.

· Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

· Entrepreneurship and early-stage growth building.

· Executive presence and communication skills.

· Impact orientation (climate, energy access, sustainability).