Amid a challenging global financial and investment landscape, the importance of African investors backing home-grown enterprises has never been more critical.
Despite the surge in global interest in Africa’s economic potential, there remains a stark gap between the funding needs of African startups and the much-needed available capital.
With many investors slowing down on their investment-making impetus in the face of global market volatility, African entrepreneurs are left to grapple with the challenges of securing the capital needed to start and scale their businesses.
In response to the aforementioned challenge, the 11th Angel Fair Africa, scheduled for November 7-8, 2024, provides an opportunity for African investors to support the continent’s future by investing in the very businesses that understand its needs and possess the potential for large-scale growth and impact.
The event which seeks to bring together businesses and promoters from diverse sectors such as fintech, healthtech, edtech, ecommerce, agritech and cleantech, promises a one of a kind experience both for enterprises and investors, all of whom have tailored their services for African markets.
The event, which will be hosted at the Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Center (TRFIC), in Nairobi, Kenya has attracted partnerships from investor organisations such as Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA), entrepreneur partners such as iHub, Antler, Growth Africa, Startup Bootcamp Africa and sponsorship from the DRK Foundation.
The event is positioned as a premier opportunity that Africa’s leading startup and scaleup companies can use to pair themselves with a select pool of investors with the main aim of closing deals.
According to Kanini Mutooni, Africa Managing Director of the DRK Foundation, “We are proud supporters of this event due to the role plays in bringing together early stage local and international investors as well as entrepreneurs and facilitating deal discussions.”
Christine Maina, CEO of EAVCA was of the view that “such events that target early-stage founders and investors create the pipeline that later stage investors in our organization can invest in when they are matured.”
Speaking on previous Angel Fair Africa engagements, Winnie Kimathi, Event Lead of Angel Fair Africa, said: “with 20 startups and scaleups confirmed to pitch and a plethora of seasoned investors attending, the event is set to drive tangible impact in the African investment landscape.
Like previous events, this one will lead to direct investment and other significant partnerships that can spur growth and create a ripple effect across the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Angel Fair Africa is an event that brings together accelerators, incubators and emerging businesses from across the African continent and investors to do deals.
Chanzo Capital is an Africa focused tech VC firm, investing Capital, Capacity and Community into category defining Africa tech ventures through their KINGS (Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa) Funds.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) is a global venture philanthropy firm that funds early-stage, social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest and most pressing social and environmental problems with bold, scalable approaches.
Since 2002, DRK has funded 200+ high impact organizations tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges and who, in the aggregate, are impacting 300 million lives. DRK’s portfolio includes organizations working both in the US and internationally, helping to provide critical access to healthcare, education, food security, social justice, water and sanitation, transparency and accountability, and shelter.
East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) is a business membership organization that serves as the voice of private capital investors in East Africa. The Association was formed in 2013 to promote partnership between capital providers and business in the region, while at the same time showcasing the opportunities for investment in East Africa.
Today, EAVCA serves as the interlinking platform for public stakeholders, local businesses, and private investors, building on dialogue and industry insights to create a sustainable, informed eco-system that advances economic growth, social and environmental welfare, and wealth creation in the region.
With offices in Kenya and a regional office in Uganda, EAVCA’s membership comprises financing institutions such as: development finance institutions, private equity and venture capital funds, impact funds, family offices and intermediary advisory companies.
The Association represents approximately USD 3.0 billion in cumulative member funds under management, seeking to nurture local businesses by providing growth capital to scalable businesses at different stages of the business cycle.