TEAM
HOLOCENE

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Team Holocene

Josh Romisher, CFA
General Partner

Reformed investment banker with extensive startup experience across USA, Europe & Africa. Responsible for over $250+M USD of funds raised for African climate tech startups.

Dedicated to leaving a healthy earth for his two beautiful children.

Achievements

Closed over $400M of total revenue at Credit Suisse from 2002 - 2013, earning a Director title before the age of 30 and being the youngest member of the bank’s hiring committee.
Founder and Partner of a NYC based startup that closed over $50M of revenue with 80+% EBITDA margins in less than 12-months during the financial crisis.
Served as a C-team member of Africa’s fastest growing PAYG solar startup serving over 800,000 customers across 6 markets while hiring a person a day for two-years.
Secured $200+M of investment for African PAYG solar companies across 15+ transactions including debt, equity, grants, market expansion and acquisitions.
Lead Stellenbosch University LaunchLab to EBITDA profitability while doubling the size of the team and earning enough cash to make 8 investments off our own balance sheet.

josh@holocene.africa

What are you currently reading?

So many books! "Why We Sleep," "Eat & Run," "Humour, Seriously," "Encounters with the Archdruid." Generally, I'm reading 5-6 different types of books at any time.

Where have you lived or visited that most shifted your perspective?

India. Such an epic mix of sounds, colours, smells, experiences. There are thousands of years of humanity all bubbling together within a beautiful setting amongst wonderful, interesting people. It can also be a very difficult place to live with tough problems to solve. I love it more every time I visit.

What was your most
painful learning about
entrepreneurship?

You must be absolutely obsessed with the
problem you want to solve. If not then you’ll never have the grit necessary to keep putting one foot in front of the other when times get tough. A deep mix of passion and perseverance is critical for success (and fun).

Abby Stern
Head of Portfolio

A global food industry innovation, health and sustainability expert, helping companies grow in scale and impact.

Passionate about unlocking true human potential through empathy, connection and purpose to build a more vibrant world.

Achievements

Former VP of Sales for one of the world’s leading FoodTech companies, leading an eleven-person global team responsible for $34M in annual revenue.
Managed a $750M P&L for a top Fortune 50 retail company.
Created company-wide health, sustainability, and social impact programs for two multinational corporations, impacting operations across four continents and over 80,000 employees.
Built a social impact food incubation program which grew and scaled 30 diverse South African food businesses, contributing to local job creation and significant revenue growth.
Consulted for six prominent South African food, agriculture and retail brands, developing and operationalizing product development, sales, go-to-market and investment strategies.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2015.

abby@holocene.africa

What is your “happy place?"

Lake Tahoe, California. It made me fall in love with nature and seeded my obsession with the mountains. The smell of pine mixed with dry Sierra dirt is still my favourite scent in the world.

What one piece of advice
has most resonated with you throughout your career?

I’m going to give you two. The first was from the earliest manager of my career who told me to never present a problem without also providing a solution. The second is more of a life and career mantra: “go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” Always taking a step towards what I believe in has resulted in amazing work, an inspiring community, and a wonderful family.

What is one thing you love that most other people may not?

Eating vegetables for breakfast- I crave them in the morning! In many cultures it’s totally normal but I’ve been the recipient of many curious looks when I down a huge bowl of salad or some butternut lentil soup as my first meal.

Craig Kirsten, CFA
Head of Investments

Transitioned into finance from a background in professional sport and developed a passion for investing in and supporting high-growth companies led by founders intent on making a difference.

Craig is driven to make a positive impact, and leverages a robust career in finance to build solutions that will preserve our natural world.

Achievements

Along with partners, sourced and closed 4 investments for a Southern African SME debt fund

Ran a corporate finance advisory team and managed 20+ successful deals, including an equity raise of $40m

Managed an international tax and transfer pricing team, advising a 50+ client portfolio

Led analysis of 7 HVFI investments, into sectors like electric mobility, renewable energy, carbon project development and the circular economy.

craig@holocene.africa

What are you most proud of?

My family. In this day and age, it’s rare to find a close-knit family and I’m proud that we’re in this together through thick and thin.

What has been your most epic outdoor adventure?

Solo motorbike trip through the Highlands of Scotland on a Royal Enfield. There were some wet and cold lows, but cruising through the valleys, hills and lochs when the sun made an appearance is something I’ll never forget.

When you need to spend time in nature, where do you go?

Anywhere rustic, quiet and walking distance from the beach – preferably with a decent wave.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Getting through my CFA Charter while working – I became a zombie for 3 years.

Jess Kapadia
Executive in Residence

A seasoned expert in strategy and business development, who has led high-impact, cross-functional, and cross-border initiatives within global organizations. Her unique international perspective has been instrumental in driving growth across a range of companies—from startups to leading corporates.

Passionate about building businesses in emerging markets, she defines success by the measurable impact on both the bottom line and broader society.

jess@holocene.africa

Matthew Dave
Portfolio Analyst

A driven analyst passionate about ventures that align business success with environmental and social outcomes. His work at Holocene focuses on supporting early-stage climate tech founders who are reshaping Africa's sustainable future, bringing precision and curiosity to portfolio analysis and impact-driven investment.

Matt is committed to understanding how purpose and capital intersect to create meaningful change, always asking thoughtful questions and seeking to grow as a well-rounded professional with a strong appreciation for the outdoors.

matthew@holocene.africa