THINK OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE

As an investor in emerging markets, George Rzepecki looks for opportunities—and founders—that don't fit the Silicon Valley mold.

- by MORGAN LAVOIE

Whether you're building outside Silicon Valley or just working on an idea that's unconventional, there's something about your story that makes you an outsider. George Rzepecki says that for investors like him, that's not a red flag—it's a competitive advantage. Rzepecki leads The Raba Partnership, an investment group focused on early-stage technology companies in emerging markets, especially Africa. Here, he shares how founders can sell an investor on an idea—or even an industry—that no one has imagined until now.

You focus on emerging markets. If a founder is outside of Silicon Valley, they might feel like they have a disadvantage. How can they convince investors that being an outsider is actually a superpower?