Cape Town to Host SA Innovation Summit 2024
Catalysing Capital" for Africa's Innovation Ecosystem
Africa’s largest start-up event, the SA Innovation Summit (SAIS), powered by the Technology Innovation Agency and hosted by the City of Cape Town is set to return for its 16th edition to Cape Town from 19-20 September 2024 Themed "Catalysing Capital".
This year's summit aims to drive transformative growth in Africa’s innovation ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs with investors, fostering cross-border collaborations, and unlocking new financial pathways for startups. The two-day event is set to attract a diverse group of stakeholders, including innovators, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, all focused on advancing the continent’s economic development through innovation.
"This event is more than just about showcasing African innovation, but also about creating actionable pathways for growth. We have a unique platform that connects startups with investors managing over $2 billion in assets to explore innovative financing solutions tailored to African startups. These include options such as blended financing, crowdfunding, green bonds, and impact investing. Catalysing capital on the continent will accelerate the innovation ecosystem and connect local entrepreneurs to global resources and investors,” says Buntu Majaja, CEO of SA Innovation Summit.
The summit will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers and participants from around the world, engaging through keynotes, masterclasses, and venture stage sessions to unpack the latest trends and emerging opportunities. Powered by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and hosted by the City of Cape Town, the goal is to foster inclusive and collaborative discussions that will shape the future of Africa.
Summit partners and sponsors include:
- The Department of Science and Innovation
- The Department of Trade, Industry and competition
- The Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa
- Start-up Act South Africa
- Venture Capital investors Dream VC, Holocene SA and ANZA Capital
- A selection of local and global research and education institutions including Swissnex, The University of the Western Cape and the National Research Foundation (NRF)
New features this year include dedicated pitch stages for Climate-Tech and DeepTech startups, specialised workshops on innovative financing models, and a focus on blended finance as a key strategy to address funding challenges faced by African innovators. Confirmed speakers set to share invaluable insights on innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship.
“As the Technology Innovation Agency, we are excited to partner with SA Innovation Summit again this year. As a key player in the National System of Innovation, partnerships such as these present opportunities to expand available resources within the ecosystem to benefit not just start-ups but also the country’s innovation landscape. TIA will continue to build on its strong linkages with other key players in the innovation landscape to bolster the execution of its mandate by increasing funding for early-stage technology development, providing access to technology development capabilities and facilitating access to market for innovators,” says Mr Patrick Krappie, Acting CEO of TIA.
"The City of Cape Town is proud to once again host the South African Innovation Summit in 2024. As a long-standing supporter of SAIS, the City believes in the power of innovation to drive economic growth and create opportunities for all. Hosting the summit aligns with our strategic goals to attract investment, highlight our innovation ecosystem, and serve as a central hub to boost and sustain ecosystem development. We are excited to welcome delegates from across the continent and around the world to Cape Town for what promises to be another groundbreaking event," says City of Cape Town, Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis.
The AI in Africa 2023 Report by GSMA and AI Media Group states that as of 2023, Africa's AI startup ecosystem has seen significant growth, with over 240 active AI startups across the continent. A significant portion of these startups are founded or led by young entrepreneurs, who are increasingly leveraging AI to address local challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance.
Furthermore, initiatives like Data Science Nigeria and AI Saturdays have trained over 50,000 young people across Africa in AI skills, preparing them to launch tech-driven businesses.
“The massive opportunity presented by generative AI and its potential to transform business operations as well as empower non-tech entrepreneurs and youth in Africa shows promise for unlocking more investments to monetise data and fuel innovation,” concludes Majaja.
About SA Innovation Summit: The SA Innovation Summit is Africa’s premier event dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. It brings together a vibrant community of startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore new opportunities, forge partnerships, and drive sustainable growth across the continent.
For more information about the SA Innovation Summit 2024 and how you can attend, visit here.
