Venture capital
Emerging Markets
Sponsored Insight
Manager
Today’s sponsored insight is another empty room, an opportunity ignored by most investors because they either don’t want to or can’t participate. This time around, we’ll discuss investing where capital is truly scarce - the frontier of the frontier markets.
Kiyan Zandiyeh is the CIO of Sturgeon Capital, a $300 million private investment firm that backs bold founders building the leading technology companies in countries early into their digital transition, including Bangladesh, Central Asia, Egypt, and Pakistan.
Our conversation covers Kiyan’s early entrepreneurial and investing experience, venture and operating experience building two businesses in Iran through 80% currency devaluations, and Sturgeon’s venture strategy from there. We discuss Sturgeon’s investment process across country selection, targets, founders, valuation, risks, and investment examples. We close touching on Kiyan’s ambition in the coming years.
Follow Kiyan and Sturgeon at sturgeoncapital.com.
Show Notes
02:04 Kiyan’s Background
10:58 Joining Sturgeon
12:40 Operating businesses through 80% currency devaluations
15:19 Investment strategy
18:21 Investment team
19:45 Target companies
24:27 Sourcing deals
25:38 Valuation
26:17 Risks
31:55 Competition
32:49 Investment examples
44:07 Ambitions going forward
