December 2, 2024

Meet The Woman Helping Emerging Fund Managers Grow Their First Funds

Rebekah Kasumu is on a mission to level the playing field for first-time fund managers.

With over 15 years of experience in private markets, she recently launched Flourish Partners, a firm dedicated to helping emerging fund managers navigate the complex world of launching and growing their funds.

A Career Built on Experience

Kasumu’s track record spans leadership roles at top-tier firms. Before starting Flourish Partners, she worked as Partner and Head of Finance at Localglobe, managing over $2 billion in assets across more than 15 funds.

She also led finance and operations at ICG Enterprise Trust, a FTSE 250 fund of funds. 

While working with emerging managers at Basecamp, Localglobe’s fund-of-funds strategy, she noticed a pattern.

“I saw the same challenges being faced time and time again,” she told POCIT. “Service providers don’t want to focus efforts on a sub £100 million when they can focus on Private Equity funds that raise north of £200 million for a first time fund.”

“CFOs with my experience are expensive, and so we have this cohort of Emerging Managers, who are critical to the innovation economy getting no support. “

Flourish Partners: Supporting New Fund Managers

Flourish Partners aims to close this gap by providing hands-on support for fund managers. The firm offers services like fractional CFO support, organizing impactful events, and connecting managers with trusted providers. 

“Launching, managing, and growing a fund is difficult,” Kasumu explains. “Capital is one huge barrier, and operationalizing or even bringing it to fruition is another huge barrier no one speaks about.”

Despite being only 12 weeks old, Flourish Partners has already helped six funds, hosted a sold-out event with major sponsors, and grown its network by 30%. 

Kasumu is also focused on keeping costs low and making fund management less complicated.

Making Fund Management Accessible

Kasumu is determined to change the way fund management works for first-time managers. 

“There’s a problem here, and I want to solve it. So far, the market is responding well!” she says. 

As Flourish Partners grows, Kasumu’s ultimate goal is to build a more accessible and supportive ecosystem for emerging fund managers—one that fosters innovation and ensures no one is left behind.


Feature Image Credit: Rebekah Kasumu

Sara Keenan

A multi-hyphenate journalist and podcaster based in London. Previously, a tech reporter at POCIT.