Zach Finkelstein, Managing Partner at Class 5 Global on Emerging Markets VC

Zach Finkelstein is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Class 5 Global, an early-stage venture fund launched in 2018 that invests in high-growth startups across emerging markets, including MENA, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. He began his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before moving into investment banking at Citi. He later transitioned to venture capital, co-founding Lumia Capital and leading investments in companies across under-invested regions. Zach also served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Careem, the leading Middle Eastern ride-hailing platform, where he led M&A and fundraising efforts. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he has served on the boards of companies such as TrueHome, InstaCarro, and Ziina, and has invested in startups like Nomad Homes, CargoX, and Shedul (now Fresha). Recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Venture Capital, Zach is known for his hands-on approach to partnering with founders and scaling businesses in global growth markets.Topics: Investing in Emerging MarketsHow to Build a Global VC FirmScaling Startups in Underfunded Regions#VentureCapital #EmergingMarkets #StartupInvesting #MENA #LatAm #SoutheastAsia