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Yaseen Essack

@yaseenessack

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CFO at Block Gemini, structuring a Vodafone agreement and turning $10k software into a deal exceeding $1m.

South Africa

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At Block Gemini, I lead finance for a blockchain, Web3, and SaaS-focused business, partnering with the CEO and board advisors on strategy, capital allocation, and growth. I built a finance function spanning SaaS, advisory revenue, and crypto-native treasury and governance.

I was the commercial lead on a multi-million-euro Vodafone Procurement Company agreement, structuring its pricing, commercial terms, and delivery framework. I also helped monetise proprietary software, selling code that cost approximately $10k for $150k and expanding the engagement to exceed $1m in total deal value.

At Block Gemini, I led capital-raise processes and supported funding on a $32m valuation through valuation analysis, investor materials, and due diligence. My work also includes hybrid treasury controls, investor relations, and financial advisory for startup and scale-up clients.

Before Block Gemini, I was an Independent CFO & Strategic Finance Advisor and Managing Director of Beds For Africa, with full P&L accountability. Earlier, as Group Financial Manager at RBA Holdings Ltd, I contributed to IPO execution after serving as Auditor-in-Charge during its pre-IPO preparation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Fractional CFO | Independent Consultant | Finance Business Partner

Current

Self-Employed / Independent Advisory Practice

Dec 2024 - Present (1 year 11 months)

Provide strategic financial leadership, commercial advisory and business performance improvement services to start-ups, SMEs, growth-stage businesses and technology-led enterprises.

Strategic Finance Business Partnering Fundraising Financial Transformation operational performance

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Block Gemini

Nov 2019 - Nov 2024 (5 years)

Partnered with CEO and board on group strategy, capital allocation, and financial modeling. Led capital raises, designed financial controls, managed hybrid treasuries, and advised clients on financial strategy.

Financial Modeling Fundraising Investor Relations Financial Control Treasury Management Blockchain SaaS Web3 Tokenomics Due Diligence Pricing Strategy Commercial Contracts

Independent CFO & Strategic Finance Advisor

Self-Employed

Jun 2017 - Oct 2019 (2 years 4 months)

Provided hands-on CFO advisory and strategic finance support to startups and SMEs across multiple jurisdictions, including capital structuring, financial transformation, and due diligence.

Capital Structuring Investor Relations Financial Transformation Due Diligence Group Reporting Governance

Managing Director

Beds For Africa

Dec 2011 - May 2017 (5 years 5 months)

Executive leader with full P&L accountability for a national specialist retail chain (15 stores, centralised distribution). Owned revenue strategy, pricing, margin management, and product mix optimisation.

P&L management Revenue Strategy Pricing Margin Management Product Mix Capital Allocation Cash Flow Management Team Leadership

Group Financial Manager

RBA Holdings Ltd

Nov 2007 - Nov 2011 (4 years)

Central role in IPO execution and public-markets readiness. Led group finance across 20 subsidiaries, including consolidation, treasury, internal audit, and regulatory compliance.

IPO Consolidation Treasury Internal Audit Regulatory Compliance Cash Management Funding Structure Exploration Debt Covenant Compliance