Cape Town Sets to Play Host to AfricArena 2023 Grand Summit
The renowned Cape Town International Convention Centre will transform into a hub of innovation and investment as it hosts the AfricArena Cape Town Grand Summit, slated for Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
AfricArena is a pan-African tech startup accelerator that has hosted regional events in Johannesburg, Cairo, Dakar, Nairobi, and Tunis this year to unearth the continent's most ingenious startups in AI, deep tech, climate tech, and more.
In six weeks, the Grand Summit will bring together over 60 experts from technology, finance, and policy to share insights and predictions, while startups will compete for the coveted Open Innovation Challenge titles.
The event is organized with the support of industry leaders including AWS Startups, the City of Cape Town, Great Britain, the Technology Innovation Agency, Edge Growth, FMO Ventures, SuperReturn Africa, and Methys Group.
In addition to the main summit, AfricArena will also host a week-long tech startup showcase. Beginning Monday, November 27, the Soft Landing Programme will offer participants a deep dive into South Africa's bustling startup scene, with workshops with governmental bodies, legal experts, local start-ups, and more.
Selected startups will also have the opportunity to participate in a two-day deal flow boot camp and a founders' boot camp at Citrusdal's Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort. The founders' boot camp will feature enriching workshops and invaluable mentorship sessions with experienced investors.
Who Can Attend the AfricArena 2023 Grand Summit?
AfricArena invites ambitious European or African startups desiring to conquer South Africa's tech frontier to apply to the Soft Landing Programme. The application process is simple: express your interest, dive into a two-week deep dive into Cape Town's tech and investment sphere, and pitch your heart out at the Grand Summit. Applications can be made here.
Other program highlights include the VC Night on Tuesday, December 5, where startups and investors will converge for informal yet impactful exchanges, and Innovation Night, a forum for creative dialogues over cocktails, on Wednesday, December 6.
What the AfricArena 2023 Grand Summit Aims to Achieve
AfricArena is a vital catalyst for innovation and investment in Africa. The organization provides startups with the resources and support they need to succeed, while also connecting them with investors and other key stakeholders.
The AfricArena Cape Town Grand Summit is a flagship event that brings together the best of the African tech ecosystem. It is an opportunity for startups to showcase their products and services, for investors to identify new investment opportunities, and for policymakers to learn about the latest trends and developments in the tech sector.
The summit is also a valuable platform for networking and collaboration. It brings together people from all over the world who are passionate about African technology.
The AfricArena 2023 Grand Summit is particularly important in light of the current economic climate. However, the tech sector has been relatively resilient, and it is seen as a key driver of economic growth in Africa. The summit will provide a much-needed boost to the African tech sector. It will equally bring together startups, investors, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. It will also showcase the latest innovations from African startups and provide them with a platform to connect with potential partners and customers.