AfricArena, a virtual Pan African startup investor network platform that connects startups and investors , is returning to Johannesburg with a two-day summit on 29 and 30 March.
It’s an annual program aimed at supporting startups to scale internationally through mentorship, webinars, coaching and investment deal support.
AfricArena aims to promote high-potential start-ups transforming economies across the continent.
This year’s event will focus on deep technology, enterprise development, and climatetech, with an exciting line-up of international and African speakers, including Anthony Catt, Matsi Modise and Paul Smith.
Currently, there is a growing demand for new technologies and innovative solutions , deep technology has become a driving force for growth and development. At the same time, climatetech has emerged as a critical area of focus as Africa grapples with the effects of climate change.
AfricArena’s emphasis on climatetech therefore reflects a growing recognition of the need to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable development across the region.
This, as start-up founders and entrepreneurs are leading the way in creating ground-breaking technologies and solutions, with AfricArena providing a platform for them to showcase their ideas and innovations to investors and corporations.
The upcoming Johannesburg summit is just the first of 45 hybrid events that AfricArena will organise across four regions in Africa this year, culminating in the annual AfricArena Grand Summit in Cape Town.
Founders will also get to network with investors and some of the industry’s finest movers and shakers. This includes Catt, the co-founder of London Africa Network and Enterprise Academy. The academy creates training programmes and initiatives in collaboration with governments, NGOs, and corporates to support the capacity and skills-building of early-stage entrepreneurs in developing regions and ecosystems across the globe.
Modise is the founder and chairperson of Furaha Afrika Holdings. Her experience ranges from investment banking to enterprise development advisory with South African banks, institutions of higher learning, and corporate entities.
Smith, founder and CEO of Civitas, has founded a number of companies in a variety of industries, from boat manufacturing to innovation consulting. Civitas is a CEO network and peer learning organisation for high-growth entrepreneurs.