Aug 2019 – Mar 2022 · 2 yrs 7 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

• P1 Ventures invests in incredible tech founders doing amazing things in Africa.

Apr 2018 – Present · 7 yrs 11 mos · New York, London, Nairobi, Dubai, Bengaluru

• We’re building the future of cross-border payments for the next billion.
• 2018-2021 - was v1 of the company - doesn't exist.
• In just 28 months since re-launch in 2022, NALA grew from $0 to $24M in revenue, turned profitable once, and built a moat through an integrated B2B (rafiki.com) infrastructure powering stablecoin payments between the US, UK, EU, Africa and Asia.
• Raised over $50m - our investors include Accel, Acrew, Y Combinator, Bessemer, and DST Global Partners, alongside awesome founders Alex (Deel), Tarek (Kalshi), Jonas (Monzo), Ryan (Chime), Laura (Alloy) and Vlad (Robinhood).

Jun 2016 – Jun 2017 · 1 yr · Seattle, United States

• Worked on emerging market payments in the financial services team.

Aug 2014 – May 2015 · 9 mos · Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• Currently a training program in Tanzania.
• Goal: Seeking to find financing to build our complete orphanage. We have a 3.5 acre plot already in our name but need to find official funding to proceed with our project.

Jun 2014 – Jul 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo · Taifa Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• Generated sponsorship opportunities for companies in the National Stadium to bring in the highest
• revenue in one year (2014) than the stadium has ever received since being launched in 2007.
• Consulted for event planning committee teams who would like to host an event at the Stadium

May 2014 – Aug 2015 · 1 yr 3 mos · Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• Worked with a team of 3 to build the first mobile money integration for Television subscription services on Mpesa and tiGO Pesa in Tanzania.
• Broadcast engineering in regional sites of Tanzania to bring television to communities in rural sites.
• Developed solutions to increase efficiency to regional sites for lower frequency readings on Set-top boxes.
• Leading a team of 8 people who have 32 people report to them.
• Successfully developed H2H (House to House) Strategy, which increased sales by 42% in the July 2014-July 2015 Sales year.
• Overseeing Customer care department providing services to subscribers within Tanzania.
• Employee of the Year 2014

Sep 2013 – May 2014 · 8 mos

• University of Northwestern Lambda Pi Eta Nominates and Elects the President and I work with a team of two people to do the following:
• Actively promote the purposes of LPH in the college or university community
• Organize chapter meetings
• Encourage academic excellence and stimulating intellectual inquiry among members through activities such as inviting guest speakers, informing members of opportunities for research and involvement in professional associations, and presenting awards for outstanding contributions
• Keep meeting minutes and a record of chapter activities

Aug 2013 – May 2014 · 9 mos

• Serve with a goal to create an environment where all students are welcome, and develop a space that allows for issues of cultural and racial reconciliation to be discussed in a healthy manner within the Northwestern student community.

Jan 2013 – May 2014 · 1 yr 4 mos

• To encourage prospective students to choose Northwestern College as their college choice.
• To provide quality customer service to prospective students and their parents through campus tours.
• To answer questions prospective students and parents may have about academic programs, student activities and campus life at Northwestern College.
• Use of interpersonal and conversational skills
• Enhance confidence when speaking and interacting with the NWC community
• Meet and network with alumni, campus VIPs, and future students

May 2012 – May 2013 · 1 yr

• Provided paraprofessional advising for thirty-one undergraduates each semester. Confronted and resolved issues on diversity, racism, alcohol and drug abuse, academic performance and social acceptance. Worked with group dynamics on a staff of ten people. Enforced University policy.

Aug 2011 – May 2012 · 9 mos

• Advertising all of the Student Activities Council Events.
• Designed 14+ marketing campaigns for events sponsored by SAC. Marketing campaigns included posters, student assembly slides and announcements, Facebook events, press releases, video commercials, and the occasional guerrilla marketing stunt.
• Planned a week-by-week schedule for each campaign, usually lasting 4-5 weeks. Codified the process into a standardized modus of operation.
• Communicated and met with event directors weekly.
• Assembled and managed a volunteer committee in the execution of these campaigns. Committee positions included graphic design, public relations, and secretarial positions.
• Managed a modest budget for the execution of these campaigns.
• Produced video commercials for campaigns, as needed.

Nov 2010 – May 2014 · 3 yrs 6 mos

• To provide telephone and on-site technical support to faculty, staff and administration on their Northwestern owned Technologies. Setting up new computer systems, installing, configuring and troubleshooting computer software/hardware applications, which can include hand held devices, and printers. In the position you will also support a wide variety of office and internet application packages, working closely with the Campus Technologies department to track incidents and escalate problems as necessary. Providing overall Help Desk support and assisting the team with special project support.

Aug 2010 – May 2011 · 9 mos

• Senator representing the voice of Students at the University of Northwestern - Saint Paul

May 2012 – Aug 2013 · 1 yr 3 mos · Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• TING is a Multiplexer Company in Tanzania which works on multiple platforms such as Television, Internet and Voice. TING also provides Television Services all over Africa through DTT and DTH technologies.
• Built the first integration for people to be able to pay for TV subscription through Mobile Money (Mpesa and tiGO Pesa).
• Additionally, working as an Analyst along side the CFO to determine whether ROI would be greater than initial investment. Working along side the Marketing Director in planning and strategically coordinating marketing campaigns for the fiscal year.
• Summer 2013 Update - Increased Publicity by 39% and sales by 17% for the company.

Jun 2011 – Aug 2015 · 4 yrs 2 mos · Mbezi Beach, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• Hosting shows such as World Cup 2014, EURO2012, OLYMPICS 2012 that go LIVE on national TV and Internationally in Africa ( 42 + Countries )
• Fall 2014 - August 2015: 2 Shows
• 1. Host of English Premier League ( August 11th 2014 - August 2015) - National TV - ATN Every Saturday from 4:30-7PM LIVE- English Premier League, Exclusive FTA on ATN - TANZANIA
• 2. Maisha - Interviewing Politicians and Entrepreneurs in different sectors of public and private industries. Learning about their progress and encouraging young people watching the shows all across Tanzania.
• SUMMER 2014: 1 Show ( June 12-July 13th 2014)
• 1. Hosted the World Cup on National Television across Tanzania and neighbouring African countries
• SUMMER 2013: 2 Shows
• 1. Capture the Moment: Bi-Weekly on Agape Television Network
• 2. Pursuit of Champions: Weekly Game show on Agape Television Network
• SUMMER 2012: 2 Shows
• 1. Euro 2012 Competition - Exclusive host on ATN
• 2. Olympics 2012 - Exclusive National TV Host for Olympics for Tanzania
• Over 135,000 Followers on Social Media (FB, Twitter + Instagram)
• @benji_fernandes
• Public Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fernandes.benjamin7

Sep 2009 – May 2010 · 8 mos

• Organize Activities for Students on and Off campus as well as be the voice between the student body and the administration