What does it take to identify and back the next generation of world-changing companies in the world's most dynamic emerging markets? This episode, we sit down with Rob, a co-founder of Lateral Capital, whose entire career has been dedicated to living and investing in developing economies.

Rob takes us from the trading floors of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs in Johannesburg and Moscow to the front lines of venture capital in sub-Saharan Africa. He shares the lessons learned from a decade of navigating complex markets across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and how that global perspective shapes his investment thesis today.

We dive deep into the unique challenges and monumental opportunities of building a venture ecosystem in emerging markets, the philosophy behind his evergreen fund, Frontier Dawn Partners, and why a background in philosophy and economics is the ultimate foundation for a life in frontier finance.

Key Takeaways:

• The Emerging Market Edge: An on-the-ground perspective on the unique risks, opportunities, and growth potential of investing in sub-Saharan Africa and other frontier markets.
• From Wall Street to Venture Capital: How experience in global capital markets and private equity provides a distinct advantage in structuring deals in emerging economies.
• Building an Evergreen Future: The philosophy behind Frontier Dawn Partners and the case for patient, flexible capital in early-stage tech ecosystems.
• The Founder's Mindset: What Rob looks for in the pioneering tech teams brave enough to build companies in complex environments.
• The Unlikely Toolkit: Why a degree in philosophy is a secret weapon for analyzing market dynamics and building a successful, long-term career in finance.