THE FOUNDER
DR. CHRISTIAN LINDFELD
After 15+ years working and traveling across 20+ African countries, I couldn’t shake the sense that something fundamental was missed by the firms I previously worked for. Yes, Africa is rich in natural resources, but it’s the human potential that left an impression on me.
I saw an abundance of local talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that standard consulting firms were completely ignoring. I came to a simple conclusion: if I wanted to do this work the right way, I’d have to build something from scratch.
That was the beginning of AVA: an entrepreneurial advisory firm focused on listening first, building with – not just for –its clients, and leaving behind the extractive, one-size-fits-all models that so many firms attempt to export into the African context. As AVA began to take shape, the right people showed up.
Together, the team shares a belief that impact doesn’t come from theory – it comes from presence, from partnership, and from staying long enough to implement, learn, and refine. Our diverse backgrounds and shared passion for Africa’s potential is the core to our approach.
THE TEAM
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Yannik Emrich
ADVISOR
Yannik has been part of AVA since the beginning. With a background in economics and his own entrepreneurial experience, he was a natural fit. At heart, he’s a builder – driven by a passion for supporting entrepreneurs growing their businesses on the African continent. He is our man on the ground in (South) Africa, staying tuned in to all the latest trends and developments.
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Righi Rasoa
ADVISOR
Righi was born in Madagascar and raised in Germany. It was a trip back to Madagascar that showed him how combining European know-how with African pragmatism could lead to real, lasting change. That insight led him to launch a rural electrification project – and ultimately to join the AVA team. His business ethos is to operate at the intersection of passion and profit.
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Jakob Frank
ADVISOR
Jakob’s time in Ghana opened his eyes to the gap that so often exists between a country’s resources and its realities. That experience led to a series of small-scale agricultural ventures, and a deep curiosity about what it takes to build resilient, sustainable business models on the ground. He brings a systems mindset and a commitment to purposeful investment to the AVA team.
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Frank Kämmer
MASTER SOMMELIER
Frank is an internationally acclaimed wine expert and provides consulting for producers, trade & hospitality industry. The former Chief Sommelier at Changyu Pioneer, he is also an author, magazine contributor & international wine school lecturer.
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Khuselo Mputa
AMBASSADOR SOUTH AFRICA
Sommelier Khuselo promotes African wines with expertise from London's Sofitel & SA's Delaire Graff Estate. He has also judged the John Platter Guide and was a 2013 World Blind Tasting Championships team member.
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Jule Vössing
WORKING STUDENT
Jule studies International Wine Business at Geisenheim University and supports THE WINEMBASSY at Africa Ventures Advisory with a grounded, global perspective on the wine trade. Through market research and project support in key African regions, she brings industry knowledge and a belief in partnership-driven growth to the team.
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David Robatian
WORKING STUDENT
With a strong international background and hands-on experience in business development, strategic advisory, and project management, David brings fresh perspectives and valuable insights to AVA. His professional journey spans multiple industries; market analysis, customer engagement, and partnership management.
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Constantin von Hobe
WORKING STUDENT
Constantin recently completed an internship in Ethiopia focused on Innovative Finance and Capital Markets. He’s particularly passionate about exploring the dynamic African entrepreneur and start-up ecosystem, and he’s eager to contribute to upcoming projects at Africa Ventures Advisory.
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Uzumah Anna Ume
WORKING STUDENT
Uzumah brings a fresh and diverse perspective shaped by her background in Psychology which is complemented by her studies in Economics and recent internships in strategy consulting. Her experiences living and working in East and Southern Africa have deepened her understanding of diverse markets and cultures. Rooted in her West African heritage, she is driven by a strong commitment to creating sustainable impact across the African continent.
Every member of our team has lived and worked across the African continent.
AVA’s work isn’t about providing answers from afar. It’s about rolling up sleeves, asking better questions, and helping clients build ventures and enter markets in ways that make sense for the context they’re in.
We care about the long game. That’s why our focus is on building strong relationships, and facilitating business that leads to real results. By listening and learning your language, by challenging assumptions and presenting new perspectives, and through our genuine curiosity, we bring clarity and direction from strategy through to execution.