StarkWare is launching a pioneering Starknet-focused investment fund dedicated to identify, back, and accelerate the most promising blockchain entrepreneurs on the continent. Led by African entrepreneur and investor Kheireddine Kamal, this ambitious initiative is dedicated exclusively to African Web3 founders in a pre-seed/seed stage, tackling local inefficiencies in different regions.

Role Overview

We are looking for an Ecosystem Partner to be our ground representative in East Africa. This role is critical in establishing a strong local presence, fostering relationships with Web3 entrepreneurs, attending industry events, sourcing deals, supporting founders in the ecosystem, and actively networking. The ideal candidate will act as the face of Starknet in East Africa, ensuring continuous engagement with local builders, investors, and technical communities.

This is an exceptional opportunity to be at the heart of a high-impact, fast-moving venture fund, where you will have significant decision-making power and direct exposure to some of the most exciting Web3 startups in Africa.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ecosystem & Community Building

• Represent Starknet and the fund in Francophone Africa, engaging with startups, developers, and industry stakeholders.
• Actively source high-potential Web3 startups, particularly those building on Starknet and Ethereum Layer 2 solutions.
• Support founders through mentorship, advisory sessions, and fundraising guidance.
• Organize and participate in local Web3 events, hackathons, and meetups to grow the ecosystem.
• Build and maintain relationships with incubators, accelerators, universities, and investment partners.
• Actively network within the Francophone African tech and blockchain ecosystem to uncover opportunities and strengthen community ties.

2. Deal Sourcing & Investment Analysis

• Identify and evaluate promising Web3 startups for potential investment.
• Conduct market research and landscape analysis to uncover emerging trends.
• Act as the first point of contact for potential investments, helping the fund filter and prioritize inbound deal flow.

3. Portfolio & Founder Support

• Work closely with portfolio companies to help them navigate fundraising, growth strategies, and token design.
• Assist with community engagement strategies, ensuring portfolio companies build a strong Web3 presence.
• Track key performance metrics and help founders connect with key stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for a dynamic, well-connected, and entrepreneurial professional who is passionate about blockchain technology and startup ecosystems in East Africa.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Fluency in English (French is a plus).
• 3-4+ years of experience in venture capital, startups, tech ecosystems, business development, or blockchain projects.
• Strong understanding of blockchain, Layer 2 solutions, and Web3 infrastructures.
• Deep network within the Francophone African tech and crypto ecosystem.
• Proven ability to build and nurture relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and developers.
• Excellent skills at nurturing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Prior experience at a crypto-native VC, blockchain startup, or DeFi protocol.
• Familiarity with Solidity, Cairo (Starknet’s smart contract language), and other blockchain programming languages.
• Experience structuring equity + token deals and understanding of token incentive mechanisms.

Why Join Us?

• Be the key representative of Starknet in Francophone Africa, driving Web3 adoption and investment opportunities.
• Directly engage with top-tier founders, developers, and investors in a rapidly growing ecosystem.
• High-impact role with significant decision-making power in a small, agile team.
• Competitive compensation package including salary, equity, and tokens.

Flexible location within East Africa, ideally in Nairobi (Kenya) with travel across the region for events and entrepreneur meetings.