The aim of this panel is to discuss the innovation challenges in Africa and to highlight successful firms and their business models. African entrepreneurs have a great chance to adopt or adapt existing innovations. As many examples show, they use available technology in a creative and innovative way to solve unmet and pressing needs. Often, foreign partners cooperate with them and support them with funding, management know-how, skills development and access to technology.

The following questions are guiding the discussion:

• What are the characteristics of innovations that fit the African societies and economies? Which pressing problems do they try to solve?

• Which role does social purpose play for innovations in Africa?

• What are the main barriers to business expansion and the scaling-up of innovations?

• Which role do foreign and European firms play in this process? How does the cooperation with African partners work?

• Can we see successful local innovations exported to Europe or other countries?

We invited a group of entrepreneurs and experts who have been active in different industries and countries in Africa to share their thoughts and experiences with us:

• Kesena and Efemena ODEDE, Founders of Ventis

• Bernhard HOETZL, Business Angel of Kuze.ai

• Tobias REITER, Founder of Viebeg Technologies

• Youssouf DIAKITE, Co-Chair of ADYFE

• Yann HUGUENARD, Founder and CEO of Y.H. Consulting

• Hans STOISSER, Founder and Managing Director of ECOTEC/NextAfrica

Place/Live-Streaming: Campus WU, Executive Academy Building, EA.6.026 and via Live-Streaming

The event will be followed by a cocktail.

Click here to download the invitation.
If you plan to attend, please register by sending an e-mail to andrea.scheichl@wu.ac.at (and state if you will participate online or on-site).
We look forward to meeting you at the event.

https://www.wu.ac.at/emcee/