Ayuma Maina

As an Environmental and Biosystems Engineer with multi-sectoral experience across sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, circular economy, and innovation ecosystems, I am passionate about supporting entrepreneurs who are building solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges.

I bring hands-on experience from both corporate and development contexts, having worked with East African Breweries Ltd, Giraffe Bioenergy, Ucrop.it, and the National Irrigation Authority, as well as through technical roles supporting innovation through programs like the Engineering for Change Fellowship and ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW Africa), where I facilitated growth for early-stage hardware startups.

My motivation to join the VC4A mentor network is fourfold:

To give back to the African startup ecosystem by supporting founders with technical, strategic, and systems-thinking insights;

To learn continuously from emerging industries and innovative business models that are reshaping the continent’s future;

To scout and engage in new opportunities as an advisor or potential board member for mission-aligned startups;

To build meaningful connections that benefit both my personal growth and the broader impact-focused organizations I engage with.

I’m particularly interested in supporting founders in sectors like cleantech, sustainable agriculture, waste management, mobility, and ESG-aligned innovation. I look forward to sharing knowledge, offering guidance, and learning alongside Africa’s boldest builders.

My motivation to join the VC4A Mentor Network stems from a deep commitment to supporting Africa’s next generation of innovators. As an Environmental and Biosystems Engineer with a cross-cutting background in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and climate resilience, I’ve worked at the intersection of engineering and impact across both corporate and grassroots contexts.

Over the years, I have contributed to the design and implementation of sustainability-focused projects with organizations like East African Breweries Ltd, Giraffe Bioenergy, and the National Irrigation Authority. I’ve also had the privilege of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through platforms like the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW Africa) and the Engineering for Change Fellowship, where I support hardware-led startups tackling local challenges.

I am driven by a desire to give back to the ecosystem that has helped shape my journey. Mentoring is not just an opportunity to support startups—it’s a chance to learn from bold, visionary founders across emerging industries. I am particularly excited to engage with entrepreneurs working on climate-tech, ESG-aligned innovation, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive business models.

Additionally, I see mentorship as a space to scout high-impact ventures where I can potentially contribute as an advisor or board member, and to expand my own network and perspective by connecting with like-minded innovators and ecosystem builders.

Last but not least, I aspire to found a social enterprise aimed at supporting climate adaptation for local businesses and communities. What better way to do that than to embed myself in the ecosystem and learn from the trailblazers doing the same?

Through VC4A, I hope to contribute practical guidance, strategic insight, and an engineering-informed perspective that helps founders build not just viable businesses, but transformative ones.