Team Holocene
Josh Romisher, CFA
CEO
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Secured $200+M of investment for African PAYG solar companies across 15+ transactions including debt, equity, grants, market expansion and acquisitions.
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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.
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
Climate Culture Officer
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
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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.
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Managed a $750M P&L for a top Fortune 50 retail company.
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Created company-wide health, sustainability, and social impact programs for two multinational corporations, impacting operations across four continents and over 80,000 employees.
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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.
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Consulted for six prominent South African food, agriculture and retail brands, developing and operationalizing product development, sales, go-to-market and investment strategies.
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Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2015.
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.
Duval van Zijl, CFA
Head of Investments
Experienced startup advisor and early-stage climate investor. Previously a corporate finance advisor across M&A, fundraising and public listings.
Climate and nature enthusiast that spends his off days freediving and trail running in and around South Africa’s beautiful mountains and oceans.
Achievements
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Acted as a corporate finance advisor on $300m+ deals across M&A, stock exchange listings, and private market fundraising.
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Invested in 10+ early-stage venture capital startups (equity and debt) with a cumulated transaction value exceeding $15m.
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Advised, accelerated and coached over 30 African startups.
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Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and Chartered
Financial Analyst (CFA).
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Terra.do Climate Alumni (2022 Cohort).
What is the best book,
article, or podcast you’ve
come across recently?
Chris Sacca podcast on 20VC. It’s a great podcast about how to tackle climate change, ensure your kids don’t grow up as idiots, and swear at B-teamers (not that we do that at Holocene - note from HR).
What are you currently
nerding out on?
Fertilizers. Might not sound too interesting at first, but tracing the origins of modern fertilizers back to WW2 (Haber–Bosch Process), and understanding their impact on agriculture and climate change is quite the rabbit hole. Better yet is when you start
looking into alternatives - i.e. fertilizers from clean air (think lightning) …
What has been your most
epic outdoor adventure and what will be your next?
Too many to choose! Most recent: freediving at Cape Point with (small) sharks and seals. My next epic outdoor adventure is a 60km run (3000m elevation) in the Cederberg.
Update: Duval survived the Cederberg Traverse!
Craig Kirsten, CFA
Innovative Finance Associate
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.
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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
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Played cricket for South Africa at u19 level
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Involved in 20+ successful deals supporting high growth companies with raising capital and/or M&A activity​
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.
Dr. Christan Barnard
Storytelling Director
A film enthusiast that loves being in nature with his friends. He obtained his PhD in engineering- pioneering a novel research method in the application of AI to the analysis of film style – while pursuing his passion for storytelling.
Chris is currently finalising post-production on his first feature-length documentary.
​Achievements
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Obtained a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Stellenbosch University
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Made a film in Venice called "Links" which showed at multiple European film festivals
Where have you lived or visited that most shifted your perspective?
I spent some time in Italy that changed my perspective on what it means to be a traveler as opposed to a tourist. Quarantine regulations were still in place, necessitating that I spend ten days indoors in a foreign country. That slowing down, becoming deeply acquainted with the unfamiliar sights and sounds, and learning the language of the locals shaped the writer-director part of me in ways I am still discovering.
Dewald van der Westhuizen
Marketing Manager
An energetic creative and dreamer who thrives on building powerful brands through marketing and storytelling.
With a genuine love for what he does, Dewald relishes every opportunity to bring his innovative ideas to life and aspires to make a meaningful impact on the world through his work.
​Achievements
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Obtained marketing honours from Stellenbosch University
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Founded West Media and Marketing
What one piece of advice has most resonated with you throughout your career?
Opportunities don't happen. You create them.
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Our fellows
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Kristen Hong
Stanford GMIX Fellow
A curious climate enthusiast and former management consultant, passionate about bringing the climate conversation to the forefront.
Competitive by nature, as a former D1 athlete, and driven by the belief that real change comes from innovative solutions and relentless pursuit.
Prajay Raghu
Ventures Fellow
Startup builder, angel investor and growth hacker with 8 years of experience across a range of industries, including B2B SaaS, chemicals and climate tech. Proven expertise in leading teams to grow ventures from zero to one.
Deeply inspired by people, cultures, and ideas. Keen to use his platform and skills to incentivise and institutionalise climate adaptation.
Tom Weckes
Founders Associate
Passionate about leveraging technology and education to create positive change, Tom has had the privilege of working with startups, building partnerships, and supporting entrepreneurs across Europe, LatAm and Africa.
With a background in market strategies and financial models, he is dedicated to helping others grow and make an impact, one step at a time.
Our Advisory Board
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Wayne Hartmann
Business Coach
Dirk Muench
Impact Entrepreneur &
Impact Investor
Caitlin Burton
SVP, Partnerships
Zipline
Wayne Stocks
CEO & Co-Founder
Stocks & Strauss
Business coach helping CEO's scale their businesses.
Emerging markets business-builder with a passion for driving early-stage market expansion and high-impact partnerships.
Experienced entrepreneur, venture investor, and financial analyst. Focused on building ventures for a better world.
Founder, fund manager, angel investor, and advisor; passionate about technology driving impact and prosperity in Africa.
