Emerging Valley: The initiative helping African startups collaborate with Europe is back soon for 2024 edition

Emerging Valley 2024 is upon us and fingers are crossed it will be a success. How could we not root for something that seeks to link African businesses with Europe.

It is an international summit and ecosystem dedicated to promoting and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean region. It focuses on collaboration between Europe and Africa.

The 8th edition of EMERGING Valley will be taking place on December 3, 2024, at TheCamp. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over 100 startups, 150 speakers, and 40 inspiring conferences with participants from over 50 countries.

Key Highlights of EMERGING Valley 2024:

• Connecting Continents: This year’s theme focuses on bridging the gap between Europe and Africa, fostering innovation and investment.
• High-Profile Speakers: Renowned leaders from the tech industry, government, and academia will share insights and discuss the latest trends.
• Startup Showcase: A record number of African startups will showcase their innovative solutions to global challenges. This year, EMERGING Valley will feature a record number of over 100 African startups from countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Guinea, Morocco, Rwanda, Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, and Belgium.
• Investment Opportunities: A dedicated track will explore cross-continental investment strategies, attracting top-tier investors. The event will host an international delegation of investors from Japan, Denmark, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, the UK, Tunisia, and Morocco.
• Sustainable Innovation: The “Méditerranée Positive” sequence, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), will highlight sustainable innovation and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

Zeroing in on connecting Europe to Africa

One of the items on the program that I find interesting is: Connecting Europe and Africa to Invest in Tech which is in partnership with the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, and features the likes of Elisabeth Moreno (Former Minister, President of Ring Capital), Uwem Uwemakpan (Head of Investment, Launch Africa Ventures), and Sadaharu Saiki(Founder & GP, Sunny Side Venture Partners).

Also of note is a roundtable on institutional financing, featuring Jean Van Wetter (CEO, ENABEL), Nejia Gharbi (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations de Tunisie), and Corinne Brunet (Ambassador of Benin to France).

Impact stage

The following is what most will find interesting.

The Impact Stage will spotlight disruptive projects and strategic collaborations, including:

• The Soft Landing Provence Africa Connect program, facilitating the establishment of African startups in Provence, led by Franck Araujo (Accelerator M) and Laurence Olivier(Marseille Innovation). (This makes me think of Jamboo, an African startup founded by our own which is established in the U.K)
• A session on Artificial Intelligence, featuring Eugénie Humeau (GSMA) and Sofiane Lesage (Riwaya Travel).
• A roundtable on digital health, with experts such as Youssef Travaly (Africa-Europe Foundation) and Dr. Doudou Tamba (Tamba Labs).

Co-Innovation Lab: A Place for Exploring and Co-Creating Tomorrow’s Solutions

The Co-Innovation Lab will offer an immersive space to explore innovation challenges. Key sessions will include:

• “Venture Capital Dynamics”, with Takuma Terakubo (Uncovered Fund), exploring the latest investment trends.
• A panel on legal strategies for fundraising, led by Emma Hanoun (DJS Avocats), Henri-Olivier Essienne (Essienne Avocats), Sonia Mavouna (Founder, African Legal Factory), and Vincent Previ (Managing Director, Chapter 54).
• (I harken back to Jamboo which has raised over $1 million in about a year. Would love to see more startups work the Venture Capital space.)

Still on financing.

There will be a Dedicated Track with 6 Sessions and 30 High-Level Investors

A special track dedicated to financing will bring together 30 high-level investors to explore cross-continental investment strategies. This track will feature 6 key sessions focused on accelerating African startups, mobilizing venture capitalists, and the pivotal role of business angels in developing tech ecosystems, with the European Business Angel Network as a summit partner.

As you can see, there is much to love about Emerging Valley. Let’s hope it’s a rousing success and let’s hope Zimbabwe will be represented in future editions.

For full details on the event, you can peruse this:

Record Numbers for the Next Edition of EMERGING Valley: Over 100 Startups and 150 Speakers Expected, 40 Inspiring Conferences Organized

Marseille, November 18, 2024 – On December 3, 2024, Aix-Marseille-Provence, designated as the European Capital of Innovation in 2023, will host the 8th edition of EMERGING Valley at the futuristic and inspiring site of TheCamp. Organized under the High Patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, this international event is supported by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council, Euroméditerranée, the City of Marseille, and the French Development Agency (AFD). It will bring together 150 speakers, over 40 sessions across 3 top-tier stages, and participants from more than 50 countries, solidifying Aix-Marseille-Provence’s status as a strategic hub for emerging technologies connecting Europe and Africa.

A Main Stage Rich in Strategic Announcements and Inspiring Discussions

The Main Stage will offer an ambitious program focused on key themes, including:

• “Connecting Europe and Africa to Invest in Tech” in partnership with the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, featuring prominent leaders such as Elisabeth Moreno (Former Minister, President of Ring Capital), Uwem Uwemakpan (Head of Investment, Launch Africa Ventures), and Sadaharu Saiki(Founder & GP, Sunny Side Venture Partners).
• An exclusive keynote by Yves Cabanac(Managing Director, Plug and Play Tech Center France), unveiling new investment opportunities.
• A roundtable on institutional financing, featuring Jean Van Wetter (CEO, ENABEL), Nejia Gharbi (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations de Tunisie), and Corinne Brunet (Ambassador of Benin to France).
• A special session entitled “Science and Innovation: Catalysts for Entrepreneurial Development”, led by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), featuring Valérie Verdier (CEO, IRD) and Slim Khalbous (Rector of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie).
• A session on economic and intercultural ties between Marseille and the Mediterranean region through Creative and Cultural Industries, with Olivier Laouchez(CEO, TRACE), Marion Delemazure (Director of Mawahub), and Pauline Pezerat (General Director, Flying Secoya).
• A discussion on the Euromediterranean Smart City: Sharing Experiences for Regenerated and Sustainable Cities, in partnership with Euroméditerranée, featuring speakers such as Frédérique Cholé(Diplomat – Delegate for Local Authorities and Civil Society – Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs), Jérôme Vuillemin (Director of Qualitropic), and Maria Jesus Romero de Avila Torrijos (Director General of Economy, Madrid City Council).
• A Provence Africa Connect Awards Ceremony in partnership with the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis.

Impact Stage: A Space for Concrete Solutions and Impactful Collaborations

The Impact Stage will spotlight disruptive projects and strategic collaborations, including:

• The Soft Landing Provence Africa Connectprogram, facilitating the establishment of African startups in Provence, led by Franck Araujo (Accelerator M) and Laurence Olivier(Marseille Innovation).
• A session on Artificial Intelligence, featuring Eugénie Humeau (GSMA) and Sofiane Lesage (Riwaya Travel).
• A roundtable on digital health, with experts such as Youssef Travaly (Africa-Europe Foundation) and Dr. Doudou Tamba (Tamba Labs).

Co-Innovation Lab: A Place for Exploring and Co-Creating Tomorrow’s Solutions

The Co-Innovation Lab will offer an immersive space to explore innovation challenges. Key sessions will include:

• “Venture Capital Dynamics”, with Takuma Terakubo (Uncovered Fund), exploring the latest investment trends.
• A panel on legal strategies for fundraising, led by Emma Hanoun (DJS Avocats), Henri-Olivier Essienne (Essienne Avocats), Sonia Mavouna (Founder, African Legal Factory), and Vincent Previ (Managing Director, Chapter 54).

Record Presence of African Startups and International Delegations

This year, EMERGING Valley will host a record presence of over 100 African startups, including participants from South Africa, Nigeria (exclusively for the first time), Guinea, Morocco, Rwanda, Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, and, for the first time, Belgium. An international delegation of investorswill represent countries such as Japan, Denmark, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Tunisia, and Morocco, further enhancing the global scope of the event.

Focus on Financing: A Dedicated Track with 6 Sessions and 30 High-Level Investors

A special track dedicated to financing will bring together 30 high-level investors to explore cross-continental investment strategies. This track will feature 6 key sessions focused on accelerating African startups, mobilizing venture capitalists, and the pivotal role of business angels in developing tech ecosystems, with the European Business Angel Network as a summit partner.

Samir Abdelkrim, Founder of EMERGING Valley, emphasizes: “This edition marks a historic turning point, attracting a record number of African and international investors to Marseille to co-innovate and co-invest with Europe. With more than 30 renowned investors confirmed, Emerging Valley strengthens its status as a strategic hub, helping position Aix-Marseille-Provence as an emerging center for financing innovative projects connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.”

Strategic “Méditerranée Positive” Sequence Supported by the AFD

A key highlight of this year’s edition is the “Méditerranée Positive” sequence, developed in exclusive partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD). This initiative will span sessions across all three stages, focusing on sustainable innovation and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

Samir Abdelkrim further notes: “Over the years, EMERGING Valley has become a strategic meeting point connecting European, Mediterranean, and African ecosystems, offering concrete solutions to shape the future of global tech innovation.”

EMERGING Valley redefines transcontinental innovation and is not to be missed. It is open to all with registration and can also be followed remotely via a live stream on the event’s web platform.