Dina Gazayerli

Chief Operating Officer

2025 - Current

VP of Finance and Operations

2024 - 2025

Startup Mentor

2023

I take a very hands-on approach, actively proving strategic advice and mentorship to a portfolio of early-stage startups in various industries including Climate, Energy, F&B, Tech (incl. AI + Gaming), leveraging my combined Founder and Investor experience to provide unique insights based on my 360 perspective.

Venture Fellow

2023

VC Community focused on nurturing entrepreneurship and investment in Africa, to benefit both founders and investors. At the heart of our community lies the commitment to building bridges between entrepreneurs with visionary projects and investors looking for remarkable opportunities. We believe in the power of connection and collaboration to unlock the full potential of African innovation. By facilitating these vital interactions, we aim to support founders in scaling their businesses and to provide investors with access to groundbreaking ventures. Our Goals: - Foster a Collaborative Network: We provide a platform for founders to connect, share insights, and explore potential synergies, fostering a culture of mutual support and cooperation. - Bridge Founders and Investors: Our community serves as a crucial meeting point for dynamic startups and seasoned investors, enabling fruitful partnerships that drive progress and prosperity. - Empower Entrepreneurial Success: Through resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we empower entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, refine their strategies, and achieve their business objectives. - Promote Investment Opportunities: We spotlight the vast and diverse investment opportunities within Africa's burgeoning markets, attracting local and international investors eager to be part of the continent's success story. Whether you are a founder seeking support and collaboration or an investor in search of the next big opportunity, VC in Africa is your gateway to transformative connections and growth.

Partner; Co-Founder

2013

 Developed ‘Divine Coconut’ Brand, and introduced Coconut Oil to the local market, creating the need and local demand by educating consumers, and ensuring proper communication of identity and brand recognition  Created and continually enhance sales and delivery system accommodating online orders, to ensure an exceptional customer experience with every interaction  Generate original marketing concepts to increase sales volumes and inform the customers on best uses and benefits of the product, through our social media with over 54k of organic followers, while attracting new sales outlets that approach us expressing interest in selling our product, including all major local supermarket chains  Identify growth opportunities and analyze potential effect on company, while enhancing cost structure and profitability through effective modeling and projections to drive organizational growth while setting business and financial strategies and goals and exploring different avenues of growth potential  Manage employees while offering constant coaching to team to promote personal and organizational growth  Support in all aspects of operation from locating suppliers, importing, filling and packaging, sales, delivery etc.

Investor / LP

2024

CB Capital invests in entrepreneurs within the Booth student and alumni network, embodying our pay-it-forward culture. CB Capital would be one of the first checks in the startup. The goal is for CB Capital to be the most helpful and value add investor in the earliest stages of the company. CB Capital has a large platform team to help startups with pitches, hiring, prototyping, customer acquisition and sales.

MBA Candidate, Forte Fellow

2022 - 2024

Co-Founder + CEO

2022 - 2024

Early stage R&D to produce a sustainable, compostable and eco-conscious alternative to traditional thin film plastics, creating a safe alternative to traditional plastic, contributing to the circular and regenerative economy, decreasing petroleum-based plastic pollution and microplastics which are a hazard to human health and biodiversity…

Investment Associate

2023 - 2023

Deal Sourcing, Due Diligence and Execution, in addition to supporting Portfolio Companies (early-stage investments mainly in Africa and the MENA region, in a variety of industries, with a strong focus on Climate and Biodiversity).

Venture Fellow 2022

2022 - 2022

Pre-MBA Summer Internship

2022 - 2022