African Startups Eye $1M Prize as Africa Tech Festival 2024 Kicks Off in Cape Town

The 2024 Africa Tech Festival, Africa’s premier technology and digital connectivity conference, is set to return to Cape Town from November 12-14. Celebrating its 27th edition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the festival promises an interesting line up of opportunities for startups to showcase their businesses, access funding, and engage with potential clients.

Anchored by major events like AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AI Summit Cape Town, and the flagship AfricaIgnite, this year’s festival is expected to host over 450 industry leaders and attract more than 15,000 delegates from across the globe. AfricaIgnite, now an established highlight, focuses on facilitating market access and investment avenues for African startups, giving founders a unique platform to pitch their ideas to investors.

The event will include a pre-festival Founder and Investor Day, where early-stage startups can connect with experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Additionally, the event’s Matchmaking Programme is designed to pair promising startups with venture capitalists, boosting their exposure and potential for growth. Exhibiting startups will also benefit from increased visibility by showcasing their products to a large audience in the Startup Marketplace.

One of the festival’s most anticipated events, the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition, will provide startups with the chance to vie for a $1 million investment prize. Presented by Pegasus Tech Ventures in partnership with the Startup World Cup, this competition gives African innovators a global stage. The winner will earn a spot in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in the United States, competing for funding with top startups worldwide.

Among the esteemed speakers attending are Bongani Sithole, CEO of Collective 54; Art Chupeau, Managing Partner at Baobab Network; Zach George, Managing Partner of Launch Africa; and Laurie Fuller, Partner at Raiven Capital. These experts will cover topics such as strategies for early-stage startups and navigating fluctuating economic conditions.

“Africa Tech Festival is all about creating a collaborative environment where Africa’s tech visionaries can connect and drive meaningful change across industries,” said James Williams, event director. “This year, AfricaIgnite has attracted more founders and venture capitalists than ever before, underscoring its impact on Africa’s startup ecosystem.”

In addition to panel discussions and networking events, delegates can anticipate key insights into Africa’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, from telecommunications and finance to healthcare, retail, and beyond. For anyone interested in Africa’s startup ecosystem, the 2024 Africa Tech Festival is not to be missed.

Register now to join the event that’s helping shape the future of tech in Africa.