Akbar Poonawala

CFA, MBA, B.Com.

Akbar Poonawala is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Pivot Investment Partners. 

Professional Overview:  Over three decades in financial services, spanning commercial and transaction banking, venture capital, and growth equity investing. Spent 26 years in senior roles at Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Co-founded Pivot Investment Partners in 2014, a growth equity firm backing B2B financial technology and insurance technology companies.

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Board Representation:  Serves on the boards of several private FinTech and InsureTech portfolio companies across the U.S., Canada, and the UK, as well as Jubilee Holdings Limited (publicly listed in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania) and Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) in East Africa. Was also elected a Non-Executive Board Director of the Development Credit Bank (India), 1995–1999.

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Volunteer:  Chaired the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for the USA (2015–2023) and the American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce (2015–2023). Has held several roles with the Aga Khan Foundation USA, including the Volunteer Committee for the Northeast (2013–2016) and the current National Committee (2024–present).

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Credentials:  CFA charterholder and Kauffman Fellow.