Derek Distenfield: Silicon Valley Investor building bridges to Nigerian Startups #GoGlobal

Derek Distenfield is an entrepreneur, co-founder and COO of GSD Venture Studios, a Silicon Valley-based investment and venture building firm.

GSD Venture Studios (GSDVS) travels the world investing in resilient teams with an ambition to take them global. Describing GSDVS further, Derek says "Unlike traditional investors, we take senior operational (often co-founder) roles in these companies, capitalizing on our trusted reputation, experiences and network to drive explosive growth".

Through GSDVS accelerator—GSD Labs, they are working with two companies from Africa—Nigeria's Spottr and South Africa's Prim-U. "We know that Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and want to help create a corridor to help leaders #GoGlobal", says Derek.

Currently, Derek is in Lagos, Nigeria and is hosting an event on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at The iLx Center, Plot 8 The Providence Street, Lagos (which is situated in the same compound as the latest Nigerian Unicorn, Flutterwave).

"Entrepreneurship is a journey that I am excited to embark on with the people of Lagos. It takes a village to catalyze a city and hopefully I can be one piece of the puzzle needed to build lasting companies from Africa", says Mr Distenfield.

At the event, Derek alongside Jackie Churchwell (Director, Transformation at We Work), and Gerald Konwea (CEO of Spottr) will be discussing the hacks, hustles, and tricks that they have deployed to #GoGlobal.

In conclusion, "GSD Venture Studios travels the globe looking for bold resilient entrepreneurs and that is precisely what I have found here in Lagos which is why the next generation of great companies are being built here and will continue to be built here", adds Derek Distenfield, Partner, GSDVS.

Due to space constraints and COVID-restrictions, only a few interested persons will be admitted. You can register to attend the event.