Felix Orwa
Who I am:
I’m a founder and operator currently based in San Francisco. I built Sote, a logistics and trade-finance company in East Africa, to $7.2m in annualized revenue, with a team of 70. We raised $10m. The company closed in 2024.
Before Sote, I worked at Mind the Bridge. We connected European scaleups, family offices, and the EU commission with Silicon Valley. Earlier in my career, I was a certified commercial pilot and trained ten students as a flight instructor.
How I think: Systems first.
I build mental maps to understand complicated systems. These maps help me see how the parts connect and decide where to start.
How I work:
I enjoy building tools and solving interesting problems. My work has so far covered specialized skills, tech, and ops. On relationships, I've built lasting ones around customers, partnerships, teams, and fundraising. Many times combining disciplines and geographies.
What I'm doing now:
Since Sote, I've up-skilled alongside industry experts and mapped the AI industry.
I'm now building a global GTM channel and network.
Education & Certifications
Bsc. Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology
Bachelor of Science, Aviation Technology and Management
Grade: Valedictorian Graduate
BSc. Aviation Technology and Management
Certified pilot and flight instructor: CFI, CFII, MEI
Marketing Certificate. University of California, Berkeley
Marketing Certificate Program, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Work experience
Sote
Founder & CEO • 2017–2024
Grew Sote to $7.2m in annualized revenue and a team of 70.
Co-founded and led a logistics and trade-finance company serving East African businesses. We combined shipment operations with software and trade data to develop underwriting infrastructure.
My work included enterprise sales, customer development, partnerships, recruiting and company operations. We raised $10m.
The company closed in 2024.
More: https://plann.me/projects/sote-turning-cargo-into-collateral
Mind The Bridge
Head of Business Development, Marketing & Partnerships • 2014–2017
Connected European companies with Silicon Valley partners.
Developed business relationships and programs involving founders, investors and institutions.
My work included developing and delivering Startup Europe Comes to Silicon Valley with the European Commission, resulting in a multi-year commercial contract.
We extended this work to the MENA region, bridging Kuwait and Bahrain with investor programs and international expansion planning.
Plann
Co-Founder • 2013–2014
Built an event-discovery startup focused on an ad-word like string of type-time-location.
Worked on the product concept, prospecting and business development for a universal events search engine.
Spartan College
Flight Instructor • 2011–2013
Commercial pilot and flight instructor. Pilot of the Year, 2011.
Qualified in single-engine, instrument and multi-engine instruction: CFI, CFII and MEI.
Trained 10+ students from their first lessons through commercial pilot and flight-instructor certification.
Alorica
Call Center Representative • 2008-2010
Community service
Kadenge na Mpira. A documentary tribute to Joe Kadenge
I partnered with Black Arrow FC to support the production of Kadenge na Mpira, a documentary about Kenyan football legend Joe Kadenge. My work included coordinating Kadenge’s involvement, press conferences and awards.
The project celebrated his contribution to Kenyan football and his lifelong support for Manchester United, including his dream of visiting Old Trafford.
Watch the trailer