We are thrilled to introduce you to Aly El Shalakany, one of the newest members of our esteemed board at AESIS.
In a recent interview, we had the privilege of gaining deeper insights into Aly’s motivation to join our mission, the expertise he brings to the table, his key goals and initiatives, as well as some exciting projects he is currently working on.
With great excitement, we also want to share an exclusive announcement: the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023 is just around the corner! From November 30th to December 2nd, in beautiful Cape Town, we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary with an extraordinary event themed “10x-ing Early Stage investing in Africa.”
As part of this remarkable celebration, you will have the opportunity to meet Aly El Shalakany and other like-minded investors who share a passion for driving Africa’s investment landscape forward.
Q. What specific expertise or insights are you excited to bring to the AESIS Advisory Board, and how do you believe it will contribute to the growth of the African startup ecosystem?
Aly: I would like to share some of the experiences and lessons learnt as an early-stage investor in startups on the continent for over a decade and to learn from others.
Q. As an esteemed member of the Advisory Committee, what key goals or initiatives do you hope to champion during your tenure, and how do you envision making a significant impact?
Aly: Over the last few years, together we proved the doubters wrong and demonstrated we could in fact build good tech companies in Africa. If we want to build great tech companies that can compete globally, we need to work together to help these firms scale across many markets, not just 1 or 2. That’s the next challenge.
Q. When you received the invitation to join the AESIS Advisory Board, what made you feel honored, and what motivated you to accept the role?
Aly: AESIS is a mission driven initiative that has consistently delivered impact over the last 10 years. It was an honour to be considered as a member of the Advisory Board and it is a privilege to serve on the board.
Q. Can you share a brief glimpse into your journey in the African startup space and how it has shaped your commitment to supporting and nurturing emerging entrepreneurs?
Aly: In 2011, Hossam Allam and I co-founded the Cairo Angels, the first angel investment network in Africa.
After angel investing in startups in Africa for the last 10 years, I decided to launch Acasia Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early stage startups on the continent.
Q. Looking ahead, what excites you the most about collaborating with other accomplished professionals on the Advisory Board, and how do you anticipate fostering a collaborative environment?
Aly: AESIS has attracted some of the best investors from across Africa to serve on the board. These are folks that really want to make a difference. While many of us on the board have in the past worked together individually, bringing all of these people together is a very exciting prospect and I am very much looking forward to working with them.
Q. What exciting project are you currently working on?
Aly: I recently concluded my Foundry Fellowship at MIT, which is a fellowship that brings together entrepreneurs and change-makers from across Africa.
Together, we have just launched the Africa Connective, a platform that will provide opportunities for projects that connect Africa together and/or connect Africa to the world.
Q. How do you enjoy spending your time outside of investing activities?
Aly: Family is very important to me and I love spending time with my wife and our 2 year old toddler as well as the wider family (as you know, we Africans love to have big families).
I love playing sports and I’m a big Arsenal fan (Come On You Gunners!)
We are incredibly grateful to have Aly El Shalakany on board, sharing his expertise and vision as we prepare for the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023 in Cape Town.
With his strategic mindset, commitment to innovation, and passion for driving positive change, Aly is poised to champion key initiatives that will shape the future of our investment ecosystem.
P.S: Let’s make #AESIS2023 an event to remember. Early bird ticket sales are currently underway, offering you a chance to secure your spot and enjoy a $200 discount (available till June 30th, 2023).