KUBATANA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2022
AFR I LABS
“ At AfriLabs, we believe that world-class African hubs nurture innovators and entrepreneurs capable of competing and standing out globally. We have made our work the training and funding of hubs, working with them to influence national innovation policies and offering hubs African innovation data to aid their work.” Nekesa Were said during her speech. “ Like anything worth doing, we cannot do this alone. This is why partnerships like the one we have with Intel matter.” The collaboration is leveraging AfriLabs’ pan- African reach to map startups and ecosystem stakeholders and provide recommendations for future modes of collaboration that will ensure continuous deal flow and establish a presence for Intel. A prominent outcome of this partnership is that African startups in deep-tech will be introduced to two Intel programs: Intel Ignite and Intel OneAPI for startups. Workshops have been held in Lagos and Nairobi which attracted startups and developers from the AfriLabs hubs network. Another outcome is roundtable discussions on Early-Stage Deep-Tech Investing across Africa. The first was held in Nairobi and had in attendance a diverse group of early-stage investors in deep-tech, government officials
and other stakeholders who shared insights and learnings within the African context. This was co- facilitated by the African Business Angels Network. “According to the World Bank, deep tech companies bring transformative technology from the lab to the market in addition to democratised research infrastructure. Increased available funding has led to the rise of deep-tech companies globally, including in emerging markets and Africa. Kenya, to be specific, should follow suit.” Ms Maureen Mbaka, Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Republic of Kenya also commented on why understanding how to support deep-tech startups is important.
SUPPORTING DEEP-TECH START- UPS IN AFRICA: INTEL AND AFRILABS
BY JOSHUA OMENA Ecosystem Creative Manager, AfriLabs
In recent years, the startup scene in Africa has experienced incredible growth - partly as a result of several significant interventions by various stakeholders who are supporting entrepreneurship and innovation on the continent. However, deep- tech startups, compared to other types of startups, are behind in terms of tailored support. Whereas the future is very automated and we have to deliberately position ourselves to be a part of it. AfriLabs’ partnership with the global manufacturer of advanced integrated digital technology platforms, Intel Corporation, is to further improve the enabling environment for startups to thrive, gain a deeper understanding of the African startup ecosystem, and identify pathways in which Intel can extend their support to deep tech startups on the continent. At the signing ceremony on the 24th of May 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria, Intel was represented by Maurits Tichelman, Vice President SMG & GM
EMEA Territory, Intel (virtual), Bienvenu Comlan AGBOKPONTO SOGLO, PhD, Director, Government Affairs Africa and EMEA CTO Liaison, Intel (onsite), Kate Hach, Head of Program, Intel Ignite’s accelerator (virtual) and the Emerging Markets Director for Government and Education of Intel Corporation, Sven Beckmann (virtual). Dr Bienvenu in his opening remarks spoke about Intel’s mission: “Technology will play a critical role in building a digital future that is equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all. That is why Intel launched its new RISE strategy and 2030 goals.” Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs, Daniel Chinagozi, Member of the AfriLabs Board, Ajibola Odukoya, AfriLabs COO, Nekesa J. Were, Director of Strategy, AfriLabs and other members of the AfriLabs team represented AfriLabs. A cross- section of high-level local and regional key players was also present.
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