SEC2A Tech Africa Road Trip

SEC2A Gala Launch

Thursday 12th October was the Gala launch event before the Africa Road Trip events to bring together Africa and Europe’s tech ecosystems. This was the European Commission sponsored initiative, held at the Tate Modern, London and hosted by Gary Stewart – Director, Wayra UK.

The event kicked off with a video shoot that exemplified the intersection of Africa and Europe’s founder ecosystems. This was followed by a discussion about forging links between African and European digital entrepreneurs.

Gary Stewart interviewed Herman Chinery-Hesse founder of SOFTtribe, a Ghanaian software company.

Herman gave insights into how he built his company and scaled with a focus on growth in Africa, tech partnerships and investment funding. He also prescribed ways for a meaningful relationship between African and European digital entrepreneurs.

Pitching Competition 
This was for UK startups looking to expand to Africa. The winners would be given the opportunity to attend the EU-Africa summit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in November and to also participate in the ecosystem created to boost business opportunities for African and European start-ups.

Introductions to the pitching competition was by Paris Petgrave & colleague. The impressive Judges panel included Sarah Drinkwater – Head, Google Campus London and Eghosa Omoigui – Founder of EchoVC Partners. It was a great pitch event and the three pitch winners were;

Emem Usanga – Founder, @bnkabilityAFR
‘Getting African Businesses Investor Ready’
Kenny Ewan – CEO & Founder @we_farm
The world’s largest farmer-to-farmer digital network’.
Perseus Mlambo Founder, Zazu @ilovezazu
‘Supporting financial inclusion with an African digital-only Bank’.

Conclusion of pitching was followed by private viewing of “Soul of the Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power”.

 

Africa Road Trip

The Startup Europe Comes to Africa (SEC2A) Road Trip, which is powered by Wayra UK, brings together African and European leaders, some of the world’s largest corporates and pan-African investors to support entrepreneurs looking to bridge both continents.

Touring three African countries – South Africa, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast – with a rockstar European and African delegation, this is a celebration of the best of entrepreneurship across both continents. The Africa road trip culminates in Abidjan, timed to coincide with the 6th EU-Africa Summit.

Timelines:
Pitch competitions to be held for African Road Trip appn
Nov 22 in Cape Town
Nov 25 in Lagos
Nov 27 in Abidjan
To find out more information and apply here.

 

SEC2A PLATFORM

Startup Europe Comes to Africa (SEC2A) is an informal network of volunteers with the mission of connecting African and European digital ecosystem builders: entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, universities, accelerators, incubators, media, and governments to support the emergence and scaling up of African and European startups.

EC H2020 Startup Europe
This network has emerged from the European Commission H2020 Startup Europe initiative, led by Mr. Isidro Laso, created to contribute to the development and growth of the Digital Single Market priority of the VP of the European Commissioner Mr. Andrus Ansip.

Apply to attend the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum
The European Commission is covering the travel and accommodation cost of 50 EU and 50 African based digital entrepreneurs (Max. 2 persons per startup) to showcase their services and technology during the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum, the 27th of November in Abidjan. Deadline for submissions has been extended until the 25th of October, 12:00 CET, due to an increased number of applications. https://sec2africa.typeform.com/to/zrduS2

 

Lagos Business Academy supports UK startups founded by diaspora community members, in the European tech scene, looking to expand to African markets. We provide a business growth hub in London and Lagos market entry.