VC4A appoints Cassim as its acceleration team lead

VC4A, an ecosystem builder supporting start-ups in emerging markets, has announced the appointment of Abu Cassim as acceleration team lead. With over 20 years of experience in the African start-up ecosystem, he is a highly regarded thought leader and his appointment is expected to contribute to the continued growth of the company.

In his new role, Cassim will oversee acceleration support services provided by VC4A to selected start-ups and scale-ups in emerging markets. One of his primary responsibilities will be to lead VC4A’s flagship programme, the Venture Showcase.

As a board member of the African Business Angel Network and founder of Additiv Capital and Jozi Angels, which is now one of the most active early-stage investor networks in Africa, Cassim’s experience and reputation for excellence make him an ideal addition to the team.

“We are very grateful to welcome Abu to our team,” said Vincent Hoogduijn, chief executive of VC4A. “His reputation precedes him, and his leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. There’s a lot we can learn from Abu, where he’ll be adding a lot of complementary skills and knowledge to the team”.

Cassim, who is a long-term friend of VC4A, expressed excitement to join the team and advance the company’s mission. “Over the years, VC4A has built a fantastic foundation for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa and beyond. I am honoured to be a part of this dynamic organization that is making a real difference in the world. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together,” he said.

VC4A designs, structures, and implements successful entrepreneurship programmes across Africa. It also runs an online platform featuring the world’s largest database of start-ups in Africa and Latin America, connecting entrepreneurs to resources, networks, and funding.

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