Growth is the trademark of Savant’s EIR programme. No matter the background, level of experience, or skill set of the individual who enters the Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) programme, they exit with clarity of purpose and vision.
Nick Allen, CEO of Savant, openly acknowledges that one of the primary objectives of the EIR program is to identify and nurture participants to their fullest potential and, judging by our EIR’s remarkable track record, it’s safe to say that the program has achieved resounding success.
We recently shared the EIR journey of Thaheer Mullins, followed by an introduction to Thabelo Ratshihule, an ex-EIR who now serves as Savant’s Commercialisation Manager. We have been incredibly lucky as, after their EIR stint came to an end, both gentlemen chose to continue their journey at Savant, continuing their work in the VC sector.
Another shining example of the impact of the EIR programme is Sahil Affriya, an ex-Savant EIR who then joined the team as a principal venture capitalist and who is now making waves as the founder and CEO of Shiprazor, a groundbreaking African logistics start-up.
With twelve years of experience in India’s thriving start-up ecosystem and two years at Savant, Sahil brought a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to the team and the African market. Through his time at Savant, he had the opportunity to explore various African countries and engage with their start-up ecosystems, recognising the similarities and needs that existed in both the Indian and African landscapes.
Nick Allen had the following to say about Sahil; “Sahil has proven himself to be an exceptional individual with an unparalleled drive, strategic mindset and an unwavering commitment to innovation and growth. During his tenure at Savant, first as an EIR and then as a principal, Sahil brought a fresh perspective to the table. His ability to identify emerging market trends and technological advancements was truly impressive.
Sahil has an innate talent for assessing the viability of start-ups and providing invaluable insights to founders and entrepreneurs and his ability to communicate very complicated and complex processes in the most simple way possible has been widely appreciated amongst the team. His guidance played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of several companies within our portfolio, helping them navigate challenges, refine their business models and accelerate their growth. While we’re sad to lose him, it’s great to see him spread his wings into an entrepreneurial venture – which is his true calling. ”
Revolutionising the African logistics landscape
Sahil’s decision to focus on logistics stemmed from his deep involvement in the industry during his time in India. Witnessing the success of logistics start-ups in the e-commerce space, he saw similar trends and the huge growth potential of the African market. Recognising the crucial need for logistics to catch up with the rapid surge in e-commerce, particularly in last-mile delivery, Sahil felt uniquely positioned to bridge the gap.
“By leveraging existing infrastructure and streamlining the logistics process, Shiprazor aims to revolutionise the African logistics landscape and create a seamlessly connected supply chain.”
Thus, Shiprazor was born as a logistics aggregator, serving as a central hub connecting e-commerce merchants with delivery companies. By leveraging existing infrastructure and streamlining the logistics process, Shiprazor aims to revolutionise the African logistics landscape and create a seamlessly connected supply chain. Sahil’s experience as a venture capitalist, combined with his understanding of the market and its potential, uniquely prepared him to identify and address the complex challenges facing African e-commerce logistics.
“Sahil’s experience as a venture capitalist, combined with his understanding of the market and its potential, uniquely prepared him to identify and address the complex challenges facing African e-commerce logistics.”
Sahil envisions a future where businesses can optimise their operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction through the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence and automation. Shiprazor offers an end-to-end solution, empowering businesses with real-time tracking, predictive analytics and intelligent decision-making capabilities. Sahil firmly believes that Shiprazor has the potential to fuel economic development, empower small-scale entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities across the continent.
“Sahil’s journey from India to Africa, through the EIR program at Savant, from a VC and now, as the founder and CEO of Shiprazor, exemplifies the indomitable nature of the entrepreneurial spirit.”
At Savant, we cherish inventors – especially those audacious enough to believe they can change the world! Sahil’s journey from India to Africa, through the EIR program at Savant, from a VC and now, as the founder and CEO of Shiprazor, exemplifies the indomitable nature of the entrepreneurial spirit. His ambitious dreams and commitment to making a meaningful impact in the logistics industry serve as an inspiration to others. With his vision and determination, Sahil is destined to leave an indelible mark on the African logistics landscape and we take immense pride in being part of his remarkable journey.
