"Africa\u2019s startups more investible than ever"

" \n Africa\u2019s startups have never been more investible than now. There is a growing number of professional \u2018super angels\u2019 involved in record-breaking deals, and private equity investments have doubled since last year. \n \n\n \n This and more were discussed at the 7th, and fully virtual, Africa Early Stage Investor Summit #AESIS2020 held on November 3-4 with more than 500 early-stage investors in attendance. \n \n\n \n Not letting a crisis go to waste \n \n\n \n Africa\u2019s entrepreneurs are resilient, quickly digitizing and maturing as digital technology trends further mainstreamed in 2020.\u00a0Many attending investors confirmed this based on what\u2019s happening in their respective portfolios. \n \n\n \n Ola Brown of Greentree Investment sees healthcare and education as the two foundational pillars for the future of the continent. \n \n\n \n The rise of new and creative business models are helping to tackle inequality gaps and the delivery of critical products and services across the continent, such as\u00a0Foodlocker Limited,\u00a0Aspire Power Solutions,\u00a0Chefaa and\u00a0LetMeIn.to, to name a few. \n \n\n \n According to a Deloitte Africa report presented by Adama Aristide Ouattara in a keynote session: \u201cBusiness leaders across the continent are optimistic about the future given the measures that companies have put in place in response to COVID-19.\u201d \n \n\n \n This insight reflects the increasing significance of Africa\u2019s startup ecosystem as a key catalyst and engine for driving innovation and development across the continent. \n \n\n \n #AESIS2020 speakers and panelists also see more cross-border collaboration within the continent, as location is no longer a barrier for entrepreneurs and their businesses. Remote due diligence and virtual deal-making are also becoming the norm. \n \n\n \n At the same time, investors recognize that more needs to be done to mentor and support entrepreneurs, particularly founders\u2019 mental health, as leading and growing successful businesses in African markets are fraught with difficulties and challenges. \n \n\n \n Nurturing talent - from venture building to venture investing, particularly female founders and female fund managers - is critical to shaping continued growth across Africa\u2019s markets. \n \n\n \n \u2018Grit fund management\u2019 presented by Eghosa Omoigui, founder and Managing General Partner of EchoVC, captured the long-term perspective and determined focus on value creation as the key to unlocking success as an Africa-focused investor. \n \n\n \n Wim van der Beek of Goodwell Investments elaborated the point in an expert panel: \u201cFund managers have a role to play in addressing inequalities and social injustices by helping businesses that provide solutions and create opportunities to tackle inequalities.\u201d \n \n\n \n Accessing investible pipeline through VC4A\u2019s Venture Showcases - Seed and Series A \n \n\n \n #AESIS2020 wouldn\u2019t be complete without the VC4A Venture Showcase. This year, VC4A hosted two showcases. For the first time ever, one for seed-raising companies and another for Series A. \n \n\n \n The showcases featured\u00a0 nine vetted Seed startups and\u00a0 ten Series A companies . One of the Series A companies,\u00a0 SeamlessHR closed a seven-figure deal with #AESIS2020 participating investors just before the start of the Summit. \n \n\n \n Ben White, VC4A co-founder: \u201cMore than 1,000 entrepreneurs tried for this year's Venture Showcase. It\u2019s impossible to break this down to such a select group of companies. Without question, the 2020 cohort is going to fly - with two companies closing deals before the summit started. \n \n\n \n We are going to be reading about these companies for the months and years to come, for this I am certain.\u201d Alumni from the VC4A Venture Showcase companies have raised more than $100 million. \n \n\n \n Looking ahead to #AESIS2021 \n \n\n \n Next year\u2019s Summit is already planned for November, 4-5 2021 at Workshop17 in Cape Town. Given the success of the virtual Summit, the organizers envision an online component as well. \n \n\n \n AESIS is a joint collaboration between VC4A (a global startup community) and the African Business Angels Network (ABAN), an industry association. \n \n\n \n The 2020 event was the 7th edition. To learn more about the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit #AESIS2020 please visit https:\/\/AfricaInvestorSummit.com . \n "

"Africa\u2019s startups more investible than ever"

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