Countdown begins for AfricArena’s innovative Jhb summit

AfricArena’s Johannesburg Summit is fast approaching, and the excitement is palpable in the African technology ecosystem. This year’s summit promises to be a game-changer, with a focus on deep tech, hardware, enterprise, and climatetech.

The event, boasting some of the continent and globe’s finest speakers, is from Wednesday, 29 to Thursday, 30 March 2023 at The Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over 20 start-ups from across Africa will showcase their innovative, scalable ventures to a diverse audience of local and international investors.

The summit will also feature sought-after keynote speakers and panellists, including Norrsken22 managing partner Natalie Kolbe, SEFA chief executive Mxolisi Matshamba, and Standard Bank equity finance and investments executive Akash Maharaj, among others.

As a leading African tech ecosystem accelerator, AfricArena has been instrumental in connecting the continent’s start-ups with investors and partners across the globe. Over the years, it has held several summits and boot camps across Africa, creating a platform for start-ups to showcase their innovations and connect with investors.

One of the highlights of the upcoming Johannesburg summit is a panel discussion on the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SBV) and the future of venture capital in Southern Africa versus the rest of Africa.

The discussion will be moderated by Anthony Catt, the founder of Ventures 54, a Pan-African start-up, tech and investment ecosystem-building advisory firm. Panellists include Matshamba, Van-Lee Gunyere from Anza Capital, and Vuyo Agoma-Mzini from Launch Africa Ventures.

The collapse of SBV, which is the second-largest bank failure in United States history, has sent shockwaves across the global venture capital industry. The panel discussion will explore the impact of SBV’s collapse on the African venture capital industry and also critically explore the intricacies of VC in the continent. Organisers say this promises to be a thought-provoking and insightful discussion, and one that investors and start-ups alike will not want to miss.

AfricArena partners with TIA

In addition to the panel discussion, AfricArena has this weekend also announced a new partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The TIA is focused on closing the research and development chasm within higher education institutions, science councils, public entities, private sector, and commercialisation.

The partnership with AfricArena will provide start-ups, founders, and investors with access to technology ecosystems within the African continent, creating more opportunities for innovation and growth.

The AfricArena Johannesburg Summit 2023 promises to be a catalyst for innovation and growth in the African tech ecosystem, according to Christophe Viarnaud, the founder and chief executive of AfricArena. He is also the CEO of tech company Methys Group, a cluster of highly innovative organisations accelerating the innovation efforts of clients across the globe.

“With exciting start-ups showcasing their innovations, investors looking for the next big thing, and thought-provoking discussions on the future of venture capital in Africa, the summit is not to be missed,” says Viarnaud. “The partnership with the TIA is also a significant step towards creating more opportunities for start-ups and investors in Africa, and we can’t wait to see the impact it will have on the African tech ecosystem.”

Deep tech in Africa

Other programme highlights of the Johannesburg Summit include Nick Savant, founder of Savant, who will be delivering a keynote address on the state of deep tech in Africa. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he has been responsible for commercialising technology businesses, taking food tech, medical devices, and renewable energy businesses from concept stage to the international market.

As a passionate entrepreneur who has built businesses from first principles, his insights into deep tech in Africa are sure to be thought-provoking and inspiring. The state of deep tech in Africa is rapidly evolving, with a growing number of entrepreneurs, investors and researchers recognising the immense potential of leveraging advanced technologies to solve complex challenges in various sectors.

From AI-driven healthcare solutions to innovative renewable energy technologies and cutting-edge fintech solutions, the continent’s deep tech ecosystem is increasingly attracting global attention and investment.

While there are still significant barriers to overcome, such as access to funding and skilled talent, there is no doubt that Africa’s deep tech scene is poised for significant growth in the coming years.

The summit will also feature a critical analysis of scaling fem-tech in Southern Africa, which promises to be a highlight of the event. Jocelyn Nyaguse, storytelling and marketing lead at Startupbootcamp Afritech, will be one of the panellists.

With her wealth of experience in the start-up ecosystem and commitment to amplifying the stories of innovators across the African continent, Nyaguse is sure to bring a fresh perspective to the discussion. Her work involves helping start-ups prepare for pitches and communicate their stories in a more effective way, making her an invaluable resource for anyone looking to scale their fem-tech business in Southern Africa.

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