Ms. Alexandra Fraser
Alexandra Fraser is the CEO and founder of Viridian, an innovation agency that designs and delivers early-stage entrepreneur, hub and investor programmes, research and strategy.
Viridian is an impact agency that designs and delivers programmes for early-stage entrepreneurs, investors and entrepreneur support organisations across Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our programmes act as a catalyst for these key economic actors, ultimately growing shared prosperity across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Alex has over 20 years’ experience in the early-stage investment space, is an angel investor, start-up advocate and is passionate about building a vibrant, sustainable high growth entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture across the continent, to drive economic growth and job creation. She is deeply embedded and connected with the entrepreneurial, investment and innovation communities through her involvement with various organizations and as an independent strategic consultant.
Alex is also a founding member of ABAN (African Business Angels Network www.abanangels.org ); a co-founder of Dazzle Angels (www.dazzleangels.com) an early-stage fund focusing on increasing the number of women angel investors in South Africa and also to provide more seed stage funding for women-led businesses. Most recently, she co-launched and is a Lead Facilitator for the African Angel academy (www.africanangelacademy.com), the first online training programme for African angel investors, delivered by experienced angels. To date AAA has trained over 600 angels from 18 African countries. Alex also serves on the investment committee of Jaza Rift Ventures, an early-stage African healthtech fund.
Alex holds a BSc in Molecular Biology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the University of Cape Town, a Master’s Degree in International Business and Emerging Markets from the University of Edinburgh and a Certificate in Company Directorship from the Institute of Directors, UK.