AfricArena kicked off its first annual VC Unconference 2022, awarded 5 startups at its West Africa Summit in partnership with DER and AVCA in Dakar Senegal, and showcased some of the best startups in West Africa. West and East at the first-ever AVCA VC Day.

Over 22 startups from the West Africa region came to learn, network and showcase their innovative ideas to our ecosystem of investors, incubators and accelerators for a

chance to travel to the Grand Summit to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2022.

The summit, in partnership with DER and AVCA and supported by FMO, ITC and OIF, brought together more than 250 high profile investors, more than 22 startups from the West African region, as well as the elite of continent’s ecosystem builders. Over 300 in-person attendees and over 1,500 virtual viewers joined us as we embarked on the journey of locating Africa’s top disruptors.

South Africa-based AfricArena, which has established itself as an ecosystem accelerator and deal flow platform across Africa, has since its inception in 2017, built a dedicated platform to support the creating market access and investment opportunities for its ever-growing community of founders. , angel investors, corporate and venture capitalists.

FSATLabs Founders Bootcamp in partnership with Startupbootcamp AfriTech and 500 Startups

The Founders Bootcamp was a one-day program that accelerates founders’ knowledge in certain key areas often overlooked by other incubation programs. The program includes teaching, workshops and networking with peers to enable startups to get the maximum value in a short time.

More than 40 speakers attended the two-day summit and hosted a series of panel discussions, fireside chats and keynotes to accelerate ecosystem attendees’ journey on the latest tech news. African.

A word from our sponsors General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Young People – DER, represented by the General Delegate for Entrepreneurship Mrs. Mame Aby SEYE.

“I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the closing of the AfricArena VC Unconference which took place in Sally for 3 days, where investors from all over the world focused their attention on Africa. It’s a special week for investing in the region, especially in Senegal, where the DER has played a huge role in the ecosystem.

Watch Christophe Viarnaud AfricArena CEO provides an update on all West Africa Summit Tour activities in partnership with DER and AVCA Right here

“The AfricArena VC Unconference, AfricArena West Africa Summit and AVCA VC Day that followed AVCA’s annual PE Conference brought great value to the ecosystem and future growth of Africa Tech” , said Christophe Viarnaud, founder of AfricArena and CEO of technology company Methys.

Among the keynotes and Fireside chats were Tidjane Deme, Mareme Dieng, Ben Marrel, Mohamed Karar and more.

Tidjane Deme kicks off the first day of the West Africa Summit tour with introductory information on the Partech report and the release of never-before-seen data from the AfricArena stage in Dakar. Watch Day 1 Right here

AfricArena launches its annual VC Unconference 2022 in Dakar, Senegal

The week started with our VC Unconference, which is our flagship VC event, taking place in a very unconventional weekend format. Investors in attendance exchange ideas spending time together, having fun, doing work sessions and discussing the future of Africa Tech.

The main purpose of bringing all of these fund managers together is to create a mandate to try and remove all of these very old regulations that prevent the flow of money, intellectual property and skills. And if these three things happen, we can unleash the power and creativity of the entrepreneur, to create a minimum of the millions of jobs that we need on the continent.

The winner’s circle the most

Innovative Startup: Bizao (Ivory Coast) – CEO: Aurélien Duval-Delort

Best Emerging Entrepreneur: Yobante Express (Senegal) – CEO: Oumar Basse

Best Startup Seed: Survey 54 (Ghana) – Founder: Stephan Eyeson

Best Series A Startup: Crowdyvest (Nigeria) – CEO: Temitope Omotolani

Best Late Stage Startup: Gozem (Togo) – CEO: Raphael Dana

Most attractive investor: Founders Factory (South Africa) – MD: Bongani Sithole

Raphael Dana Best Late Stage startup comments on his experience at the West Africa Summit,

“It was an incredible experience pitching and interacting with all the best startups in the region. We are delighted to win the award for the best growth-stage start-up in West Africa, and we look forward to returning next year”

AfricArena & FSATLabs will host Learning Expedition & Viva AfricArenathe showcase event for Major African Tech startups at Station F Paris preceding the 6th annual Viva Technology conference.

Ahead of our Viva AfricArena event which will take place on June 14, 2022, the French South African Tech Labs offer an incredible opportunity for African-based companies and investors wishing to discover the booming ecosystem of startups in France and Europe.

AfricArena will transform the world’s largest startup incubator, Station F, into a stage for African tech entrepreneurship. Over 40 startups, from seed to growth stage, will spend the day launching into overseas markets and showcasing the best of Africa Tech.

Book your tickets today

FSATLabs learning expedition: here

Access to the Viva AfricArena Pitching Event at Station F: Here

Startups wishing to apply to our AfricaRise program apply: Here

For any questions or clarifications on this press release, contact the Media Officer: [email protected]

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