Akbar Poonawala

Akbar Poonawala is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in the financial services and venture capital sectors. Currently serving as Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Pivot Investment Partners since January 2014, Poonawala focuses on Growth Equity-stage FinTech investments. As a Kauffman Fellow (Class of '28) since June 2023, Poonawala is part of a global initiative aimed at developing leaders in venture capital. Poonawala is also a Partner at Tribeca Early Stage Partners, which specializes in seed and early-stage FinTech investments. Prior roles include significant leadership positions at Deutsche Bank from 1999 to 2013, where Poonawala held multiple MD titles and led various global banking divisions. Poonawala began a career in investment banking at Citicorp and Tata Consultancy Services before obtaining an MBA in Finance from NYU Stern School of Business and holding the CFA designation.