Nadya Eka Lestari
TechInAfrica — AfricArena, in partnership with Wesgro and Silicon Cape, has announced the key speakers presenting at the Summit on 11 and 12 November. Various startups and international investors will be descending on Cape Town for the event, as well as first-time activities set to take place prior to and during the Summit.
“We are excited to once again partner with AfricArena. This Summit brings together business from across the continent and the world to Cape Town; showcasing the province as the leading digital hub in Africa. We are also proud to witness the growing international status of the event. It is contributing positively to our destination’s brand globally. We look forward to the Summit, and we wish the organizers all the best,” said Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris.
Attendees at the third annual AfricArena Summit will be introduced to over 100 of the best African and African-focused tech startups and innovators from over 20 countries. Among them will be the top 10 contenders handpicked as Best of Ecosystem from each of the major capitals around the continent during the AfricArena Tour.
There will also be 34 finalists whose innovative ideas shone in 11 challenges aimed at solving some of the most pressing issues on the continent, as well as a slew of the best startups from AfricArena partner organizations including Startupbootcamp, Endeavor South Africa, MEST and FSAT Labs.
They will contend in the pitch sessions, showing off their products to an audience of international and local investors that will include the likes of Breega Capital from Europe, South Africa’s Knife Capital, Greentec Capital from Germany, MAVA Ventures from the USA, GSMA from the UK, the SA SME Fund from South Africa and Pwc Japan, along with more than 150 others from all over the globe.
Summit guests will also get to hear from fascinating speakers comprised of some of the most interesting thought leaders, founders, investors and corporate changemakers of our time. The talks will officially be opened by Cape Town Mayor, Alderman James Vos and France’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa and Lesotho, Aurélien Lechevallier.
Among the speakers from around the world there will also be :
- Iyinoluwa Samuel Aboyeji, entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Street Capital,
- Ben Marrel, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Breega Capital,
- Danai Musandu, Investment Associate at Goodwell Investments,
- Vusi Thembekwayo, one of the most disruptive forces in venture capital in Africa,
- Ketso Gordhan, CEO of the SA SME Fund, and
- Matsi Modise.
Ahead of the Summit, AfricArena will be hosting its inaugural Venture Unconference, a unique two-day opportunity for investors to network and workshop co-investment in African startups, all whilst discovering the Mother City. The event, which will be held on Saturday, the 9th and Sunday, the 10th of November, is being sponsored by key players in the tech startup ecosystem – Knife Capital, the SA SME Fund, and Startupbootcamp, with WESGRO and the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) serving as key contributors. Over 30 of the world’s top VC, institutional and fund of fund investment firms involved in powering the African venture economy will be participating in the Unconference, the highlights of which will include a tour of the Hermanus area, dinners, and networking cocktails.
This year’s Summit offers delegates the chance to network with the startups, investors and other attendees in the Experience area as well as enjoy Learning Expeditions around the Cape.
Source: modernghana.com
