Emma Rowand

Emma grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. She studied Human Life Sciences at Stellenbosch University before pursuing an Honors degree in Genetics, where she was first introduced to the commercial and industry-based aspects of biology. This led her to New York City to complete her Master's in Biotechnology and Entrepreneurship at NYU, deepening her interest in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and commercial application. She then joined Indegene, a life sciences consulting firm, before returning to Cape Town. Her time at E4E Africa, an early-stage African VC firm, provided valuable insight into the startup ecosystem and reinforced her passion for venture investing. At Activant, Emma brings her research expertise and curiosity to identify businesses shaping the future.