FMO to support tech startups in Africa
AfricArena, the leading African series of tech events, is thrilled to announce a partnership with FMO Ventures Program, the Rise Open Innovation Challenge, which focuses on accelerating the growth of startups looking to improve the state of Africa and create more sustainable models for positive impact.
On June 14th, 2022, AfricArena turned the most prominent startup incubator in the world, Station F, into the stage of African tech entrepreneurship. Over 45+ African startups from seed to growth stage spent the day pitching to foreign markets and 60+ African startups participated in investment speed dating with over 100+ Investors. In addition, AfricArena announced its partnership with FMO to support 10 startups through the AfricArise program.
FMO is in partnership with the AfricArise Annual program, a virtual Pan African start-up investor network platform that connects 80+ start-ups and investors across the African continent. It’s an annual program aimed at supporting start-ups to scale internationally through mentorship, webinars, coaching and investment deal support. The program is dedicated to AfricArena alumni and offers three different packages to help startups Rise, Raise and Scale.
The FMO Sustainable Tech Open Innovation Challenge will support several agri-tech, fin-tech, and energy access businesses focused in Ghana, Morocco, and Tanzania, These ventures will compete in pitch competitions at AfricArena’s North Africa and East Africa regional summits with the winners to be showcased at the AfricArena Grand Summit early November 2022.
“We are thrilled that our long-standing relationship with the Dutch development bank (FMO) is translating into support to the AfricArise program, and in particular its focus on Agritech companies from 3 top African ecosystems. Our team will be working relentlessly to leverage our unique capability to identify, showcase and help connect African tech startups with market access and funding opportunities.” says Christophe Viarnaud, Founder of AfricArena & General partner of AfricArise.”
Marieke Roestenberg, FMO Ventures Program Manager, said: “Our partnership with AfricArena is part of our journey to promote and support the flourishing sustainable tech ecosystem, including agritech, fintech and energy access business models especially in newer tech hubs across Africa. We look forward to supporting AfricArena and collaborating with the broader consortium to accelerate startups in these sectors.”
If you are a startup focused on agritech, fintech or energy access and your business focus in Ghana, Morocco or Tanzania, please apply here and you could attain the following benefits from the FMO Sustainable Tech Open Innovation Challenge in partnership with the AfricArise annual program.
