A sneak preview into the list of expected guests for DEMO Africa and associated African angel investor summit has revealed the names of some of the most influential business and technology personalities.
The list features Mr Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation; Mr Jason Njoku, Founder of iROKO; Mr Fernando de Sousa, General manager of the Microsoft for Africa Initiativel; Mr Baybars Altuntas, Vice president of the European Business Angels Network (EBAN); Mr John Momoh, CEO of Channels TV Nigeria; Ms Cristina Riesen, General Manager Europe of Evernote; and many more.
The DEMO Africa forum which will also be addressed by the Minister for Communication Technolgy, Mrs Dr Omobola Johnson and her counterpart Mr Dr Tunji Olaopa the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, is expected to fuel discussions geared towards making critical adjustments that will allow Africa to create a better environment for business.
Angel Investor Summit
Besides gracing the event to scout for talent on the DEMO Africa stage, the key guests are scheduled to exchange ideas at the Angel Investors summit on the 24th which will allow a knowledge exchange between the continent’s various angel investors and other easly stage investors, and map out the future of angel investing in Africa.
Commenting on the heightened excitement from the expected participation, Mr Yele Okeremi, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, expressed confidence on the outcome of the event. “We feel honored to be able to host some of Africa’s biggest minds. We are positive that the ideas shared at this forum will be implemented to make Africa realize the dream of self-sufficiency.”
Spacepointe’s founder Sayu Abend, one of the finalists scheduled to pitch on the DEMO Africa expressed optimism in the event stating that the unique mix of mentors and role models expected at the event is a rich source of important lessons for young entrepreneurs and the start-up businesses in Africa.“I am positive that SpacePointe and other participating start-ups are bound to grow from this experience.”
Final Preparations
The DEMO Africa event preparations are now in the very final stages. Participants are being called upon to sign up to secure their participation. There is a special package available to investor delegates which comprises 15% discount on a DEMO Africa ticket, 15% discount on a VC4Africa Pro Account, Access to the companies’ financials, Ticket to the Investor Cocktail on DEMO Africa’s opening evening, Ticket to a special Investor Boomcamp as well as access to a special Investor Lounge and Deal Room at DEMO Africa. Read more information on this package.
DEMO Africa 2014 is being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies.