Silicon Valley Innovation
Our founders have built and scaled multiple world-class technology products and companies in Silicon Valley.
Developing World Experience
We spent several years running a successful micro-finance bank in Africa, so we understand the challenges and opportunities of the developing world first-hand. The financial inclusion apps we designed to run our own financial institution won industry awards for innovation, and changed the game for aspiring entrepreneurs throughout Africa.
Changing the Game
We created DreamStart Labs to bring the innovation of Silicon Valley to the world of global poverty alleviation with unparalleled excellence, impact and scale.
Leadership Team
Wes Wasson, Late CEO & Co-Founder
Wes was a long-time Silicon Valley leader who spent 20+ years building and growing successful technology companies. He served as a senior executive and board member at successful companies of all sizes. Wes passed away December 10, 2023 after leading DreamStart Labs for 6 years.
Wes was a long-time Silicon Valley leader who spent 20+ years building and growing successful technology companies. He served as a senior executive and board member at successful companies of all sizes. Wes passed away December 10, 2023 after leading DreamStart Labs for 6 years.
Henrik Esbensen, PhD, CTO, Co-Founder, and interim CEO
Henrik has 20+ years of experience building advanced software systems. Prior to co-founding DreamStart Labs, Henrik helped create multiple successful products with a focus on deep learning, data analytics, and high-performance computing. He holds a PhD in computer science from Aarhus University in Denmark and post-doctoral studies at UC Berkeley in advanced algorithms.
Henrik has 20+ years of experience building advanced software systems. Prior to co-founding DreamStart Labs, Henrik helped create multiple successful products with a focus on deep learning, data analytics, and high-performance computing. He holds a PhD in computer science from Aarhus University in Denmark and post-doctoral studies at UC Berkeley in advanced algorithms.
Jennie Vader, President
Jennie has over fifteen years of experience in project, product, and operations management with a demonstrated history of working within and across multiple cultures and work environments. As President, she oversees all day-to-day operations in the company, including the Product Team and Customer Success Team. Before serving as President, she was the DreamSave Product Manger for four years.
Jennie has over fifteen years of experience in project, product, and operations management with a demonstrated history of working within and across multiple cultures and work environments. As President, she oversees all day-to-day operations in the company, including the Product Team and Customer Success Team. Before serving as President, she was the DreamSave Product Manger for four years.
Premuditha Perera, Head of Engineering
Premuditha is a seasoned technology architect and product leader with a proven track record building scalable enterprise-class cloud and mobile solutions. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events around the world.
Premuditha is a seasoned technology architect and product leader with a proven track record building scalable enterprise-class cloud and mobile solutions. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events around the world.
Baptiste Ndayisba, Head of Customer Success
Baptiste leads a global team of Customer Success representatives providing local training, support, and market development for customers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Prior to DreamStart Labs, he was Chief Operating Officer for a leading communications agency.
Baptiste leads a global team of Customer Success representatives providing local training, support, and market development for customers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Prior to DreamStart Labs, he was Chief Operating Officer for a leading communications agency.
Michaella Allen, Product Manager
Michaella Allen is the Product Manager, based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a seasoned economic development practitioner with a focus on digital financial ecosystems. She brings expertise in digital payment innovations, such as Central Bank Digital Currencies and digital identities as well as financial solutions that promote resilience for aspirational micro, small and medium enterprises.
Michaella Allen is the Product Manager, based in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a seasoned economic development practitioner with a focus on digital financial ecosystems. She brings expertise in digital payment innovations, such as Central Bank Digital Currencies and digital identities as well as financial solutions that promote resilience for aspirational micro, small and medium enterprises.
Global Presence
DreamStart Labs has a global development team with extensive experience building secure successful cloud-scale systems. Our field teams are based close to customers in multiple countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Find out where DreamSave is currently available here!