Sw7 looks to bridge UK and emerging market investment

South African-based tech innovation accelerator Sw7 is working to bridge the gap between the UK and emerging markets for investment.

Sw7 will be hosting a funding event at the House of Lords in London on 22 April. The aim of the event is to connect UK investors wanting for tech investments in emerging markets. It will be hosted by Lord St. John and will have key speakers talking about opportunities and market dynamics.

According to Sw7 co-founder Keith Jones, this is the first in a number of events the company plans to do in the UK.

“The event is aimed at making the right connections in the UK market with investors, both early and late stage, and then setting up the structures that make the investment accessible, to both the investor and the fundraiser,” continues Jones.

Sw7 is working in conjunction with SWIFT Innotribe, London & Partners, and the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in the UK to create a successful event.

The event will also act as a launchpad for a technology marketplace that Sw7 will be launching. Its aim is to connect technology in the African market.

Read more: Sw7 partners with UKTI to take SA entrepreneurs to London

“We are hosting a couple of events this week in South Africa with the UKTI on setting up business and securing their IP in the UK. The technology markets, in particular, are driven by the global players and for us to compete in Africa we need to have access to the same support as they do, which means raising capital on competitive terms and having access to the Western markets and infrastructure,” says Sw7 co-founder Odette Jones.

Sw7 first went over to the UK in June 2015 in order to take a look at the markets. They took 13 technology businesses with them as a trade mission with the UKTI in November to discuss trading issues.

Feature image: Pedro Szekely via Flickr