AfricArena, AWS to host start-up summit in New York

On the eve of its Johannesburg summit, AfricArena has made a ground-breaking announcement that it will also be hosting a conference in New York on Thursday, 20 April in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

AfricArena, the leading technology accelerator in Africa, says its AWS partnership will provide start-ups in the continent’s tech ecosystem with a significant opportunity to leverage networks, meet investors and access funds. The summit will take place at the AWS Startup Loft in Soho, Manhattan.

The AWS Startup Loft Accelerator is an equity-free programme designed to support early-stage start-ups in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with technology, product development, go-to-market advice, and getting them funding ready.

Start-ups that join the programme have access to a wide range of resources and services such as exclusive events, one-on-one consultations with AWS experts, and business and technical know-how in their resource hub.

For start-ups in the African tech ecosystem, the partnership with AfricArena and AWS furthermore provides an unparalleled opportunity to take advantage of these resources and services, connect with foreign investors and fellow start-ups, and explore new avenues for growth and expansion.

The AfricArena New York Summit is also a rare opportunity to showcase the potential and innovation of the continent’s finest start-ups. The African tech industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, with new start-ups emerging and attracting significant investment. However, there are still many challenges facing the industry, including a lack of access to funding and resources.

Countdown to Johannesburg summit

The announcement of the AfricArena New York Summit comes just before the Johannesburg summit on Wednesday, 29 and Thursday, 30 March, where industry leaders and start-ups will come together to discuss developments in the deep tech, hardware, enterprise, and climatetech spaces. The two-day event promises to be a game-changer and set the stage for future growth and innovation in the industry.

The headline speakers at the Johannesburg summit bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. This includes Matsi Modise, as the chairperson of TIA, Zachariah George, managing partner of Launch Africa, and Tiffany Johnson, founder of the Amazon Black Founder Fund.

With their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives, the speakers at the two-day event are sure to provide invaluable insights and advice to the participating 26 start-ups who are set on attracting investors from across Africa and the world.

• The AfricArena Johannesburg Summit is hosted at The Forum in Sandton. Last-minute tickets are available from Quicket.

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