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Shaping tomorrow’s investments: A triumph of collaboration at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023

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3 years ago

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investment

The two-day summit serves as the pivotal platform for robust discussions, networking and collaboration, propelling the African early-stage investment landscape forward

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, December 19, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023, concluded with resounding success, bringing together 350+ investors, founders, and industry leaders from across the continent. The two-day summit, organized jointly by VC4A (VC4A.com) & African Business Angel Network (ABAN), serves as the pivotal platform for robust discussions, networking and collaboration, propelling the African early-stage investment landscape forward.

“AESIS connects the early stage (angel) investor networks with VCs, mapping a path for founders’ fundraising journeys. The exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two is invaluable to the startup ecosystem, directly supporting founders in their entrepreneurial adventures.” – Vincent Hoogdyn, CEO of VC4A.

Key highlights

1. Insightful Opening Townhall & State of Industry Overview: The event kicked off with a thought-provoking Opening Townhall, moderated by the host Hope Ditlhakanyane, featuring AESIS advisor Eghosa Omoigui, and AESIS partner representatives Eleni Gabre-Madhin, Laurien Field, and Jean-Marie Kananura, who reflected on the theme of 10x-ing early-stage investing in Africa, and set the scene for the impactful conversations that followed.

Maxime Bayen of Africa:The Big Deal (TheBigDeal.substack.com) expanded this sentiment in his address sharing that the number of active investors in startups in Africa have doubled from 242 in 2019 to 529 in 2023, additionally funding raised by startups in Africa has grown 119 times in 10 years from $27M in 2014 to $3.2B in 2023 (YTD). The primary emphasis of the overall message underscored the importance of deriving lessons from failures we’ve seen, gaining a more realistic perspective on exits through data, and strategically incorporating this information into the efforts to strengthen our collaborative ecosystem.

“AESIS plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between angel investors and VCs, and investment activities within the African startup ecosystem, contributing to the overall growth and development of entrepreneurship on the continent” – Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of African Business Angel Network (ABAN).

2. Masterclasses and Breakaway Sessions: Attendees immersed themselves in an array of masterclasses and breakaway sessions, covering pivotal topics such as The winning recipe for Deal Collaboration and The Anatomy of Effective Corporate VC, as well as AESIS partner series covering Impact in collaboration with UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, and Gender Lens Investing in collaboration with IFC’s She Wins Africa initiative.

Notably, we had the Angel Investing Roundtable which was the launch of the ABAN 2023 Angel Investment Survey Report (ABANAngels.org/insights) –  Research into ABAN’s network of angels indicates that 2058 angel investors invested more than $22.5M across 408 deals, out of 5,743 applications received, at an average ticket size of $55.2K in the first and second quarter of 2023.

A special recognition goes to our investor meetup hosts who worked very hard and brought incredible energy into making our new record of 36 meetups happen for 2023

3. Deal Morning: In partnership with VC4A, SU Launch Lab, Next176, JICA, GIZ SAIS, MADICA, and Founders Factory Africa – 28 founders had been given the stage to showcase their business together with their attending investors. This setup facilitated meaningful connections not only between entrepreneurs and investors, but also between investors unlocking potential co-investments.

4. Ecosystem Side Event: The 2nd official Ecosystem Side Event took place on Saturday the 2nd of December, hosted at the WomHub coworking space, spotlighting the symbiotic relationship between Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) and investors. Panels, case studies, and presentations such as The ESO as an early stage investor, by Cindy AI of Dream VC highlighted the collaborative efforts driving entrepreneurship development and active opportunities for co-creation and progressive innovation efforts.

The summit concluded on a high note with a Closing Cocktail, with the first AESIS awards handed out in the following categories:

  • AESIS Most Valuable Players Award – to attending members that have attended more than 6+ annual Summits;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding Investor Meetup Award –  Serengeti Angels and Ennovate Ventures as the hosts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding Angel Network Award – RisingTide Africa;
  • #AESIS2023 Outstanding VC Company Award – Founders Factory Africa.

Throughout the year we have had a series of numerous events in the lead up to these amazing two days in Cape Town; including Investor meetups which took place across Africa and the globe in September and October. A special recognition goes to our investor meetup hosts who worked very hard and brought incredible energy into making our new record of 36 meetups happen for 2023.

#AESIS2023 is honored to have partnered with many influential entities to make this 10 year milestone a resounding success including Investec, Next176, UNDP, Timbuktoo, JICA, GIZ SAIS, GIZ MAKE IT, Madica, Womhub, OceanHub Africa, Founders Factory Africa, Untapped Global, US Consulate, Double Feathers Partners, SU LaunchLab, SA SME Fund, Value for Women, International Finance Corporation, Kigali International Financial Center, Dutch Good Growth Fund, and South Africa National Conventions Bureau.

Looking ahead

The success of the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2023 underscores the growing momentum of collaborative efforts in driving synergy and investment across the continent. The insights shared, connections forged, and collaborations initiated during the summit are expected to contribute significantly to 10x-ing early stage investing in Africa.

“Only ecosystems that have knowledge exchanges survive — that’s the power that we have here!” – Tomi Davies, President of African Business Angel Network (ABAN).

Photos of the events that took place during #AESIS2023 can be found here (apo-opa.co/3v6lGmj)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VC4A.

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Novum Studio Secures New Funding to Launch Ahoy Project, an AI-Native Enterprise Transformation Platform, Building on Its 20-Million-User Gen Z App Frog

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

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Novum Studio
  • Novum Studio has raised a new round of funding to launch Ahoy Project, its enterprise AI solution, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.
  • Ahoy Project is positioned as the infrastructure for AI-native enterprise transformation – an AI-native communication platform serving as the underlying system, delivered as an end-to-end tailored solution.
  • The launch expands the company beyond Frog, its Gen Z consumer social app that has reached 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe.
  • Novum Studio said it is applying lessons from operating high-frequency social platforms at scale to workplace communication and knowledge systems.

NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Novum Studio, the company behind Frog – a Gen Z social app often described as a “new-generation Snapchat” – said it has raised a new round of funding and will use the proceeds to launch Ahoy Project, an AI-native enterprise communication and collaboration platform, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.

The Novum Studio team at London Tech Week 2025.

Unlike conventional workplace software, Ahoy Project will not be sold as a standalone software subscription, the company said. Novum Studio provides the infrastructure and a full tailored solution for enterprises undergoing AI-native transformation, with the communication platform serving as the underlying system on which that transformation is built.

Founded as a consumer social company, Novum Studio has reached more than 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe. Frog gained traction among younger users through spontaneous, real-time sharing designed around authenticity and low-pressure interaction. The company said its experience building large-scale social “spaces” – where millions of people communicate, form groups and coordinate in real time — directly informs its approach to enterprise collaboration.

The new funding will support the launch and international expansion of the enterprise business as artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations communicate, collaborate and operate, the company said.

Novum Studio was founded by Anna Danyi, who graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2018 and began her career in consulting and technology. Before founding Novum Studio, she built multiple consumer applications and exited through an acquisition. In 2025, Forbes China recognized her among the Top 100 most influential global Chinese figures in AI digital products area.

“We spent years understanding how millions of users communicate online,” Anna Danyi said. “In the AI era, communication itself is becoming intelligent. We believe the next generation of platforms will not only connect people — they will understand workflows, collaboration and organizational behavior.”

From Consumer Social to Enterprise AI

Modern organizations face growing challenges as critical knowledge, decisions and workflows become fragmented across chats, meetings and disconnected tools, the company said. Ahoy Project addresses this as a conversation-driven, AI-native collaboration layer: it captures context from day-to-day communication to build a searchable enterprise knowledge base and support workflow coordination.

Core capabilities include conversation-based knowledge organization, AI-assisted collaboration and workflow support integrated directly into team communication. Because the platform sits at the layer where work is discussed and decided, it can serve as the foundation for a broader AI-native operating model – with Novum Studio designing and delivering the surrounding transformation solution for each enterprise client.

Ahoy (Popeye AI) turns everyday team conversations into a searchable enterprise knowledge base.

A New Direction for Social Technology

Novum Studio said its expansion reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram defined how content was distributed and consumed in the mobile social era; as AI becomes embedded in digital products, the company believes the next stage will center less on feeds and more on intelligent systems that understand communication and coordination.

“We are no longer just building products where people post content,” Anna Danyi said. “We are building systems that understand how humans communicate and operate together.”
 

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Energy

Venezuela Energy Week to Host Houston Industry Showcase, Unlocking United States (U.S.) Commercial Engagement Ahead of October Summit

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

By

African Energy Chamber

Ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2026, U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors are invited to explore commercial opportunities across Venezuela’s upstream sector at the Houston Industry Showcase next month

HOUSTON, United States of America, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Venezuela Energy Week will host an Industry Showcase in Houston on August 18, 2026: a targeted industry roadshow designed to engage U.S. energy stakeholders ahead of the October summit. Held at The Post Oak Hotel, the showcase will convene senior representatives from across the U.S. upstream ecosystem – including exploration and production companies, Texas-based independents, oilfield service companies, engineering and technology firms, commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices – to assess commercial pathways for participation in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

As Venezuela looks to expand production, U.S. companies remain well positioned to contribute technical expertise, capital and operational capabilities across the upstream value chain. Chevron’s longstanding presence in the country highlights the continued importance of U.S. industry participation, while the scale of Venezuela’s resource base continues to attract interest from major international energy companies, including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Opportunities extend across exploration, field development, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and digital modernization as Venezuela seeks to strengthen its energy sector.

 

Demand is also expected to grow for oilfield service companies, engineering firms, technology providers and financial institutions that can support upstream investment and project execution. Companies including SLB, Halliburton and Baker Hughes have been identified as potential partners in advancing production optimization and infrastructure rehabilitation, while commercial banks, private equity firms and family offices will play an important role in financing future investment opportunities.

 

Against this backdrop, the Houston Industry Showcase will provide a structured engagement platform at a time when select international operators continue to operate under U.S. Treasury-authorized frameworks, and where policy considerations in the U.S. continue to shape engagement parameters in Venezuela’s energy sector.

 

The event will enable U.S. exploration companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers and investors to assess technical and commercial pathways across exploration, field services, project delivery and broader supply chain opportunities, while supporting early-stage dialogue between international investors and Venezuela-focused stakeholders in a structured commercial environment ahead of the October summit.

 

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 18, visit www.venezuelaenergyweek.com/rsvp-houston. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2026 in Caracas this October, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

 

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery

 

Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

 

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4fM0rLr).

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Business

Africa Trade Gateway Delivers US$5.3-Million Cross-Border Transaction in First Energy Sector Trade in Southern Africa

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2026

By

Afreximbank

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institu-tions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transac-tion in Southern Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –A US$5.3-million cross-border fuel (gasoil) trade transaction has been successfully completed with support of the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank’s) (www.Afreximbank.com) flagship digital trade ecosystem, demonstrating the value and efficacy of the Gateway in powering African trade.

The transaction, which saw Zimbabwean fuel importer Witeva Trading source a gasoil shipment from a leading commodity trader and supplier in Switzerland, with Innbucks Microbank Ltd. participating as the local issuing financial institution and Afreximbank providing confirmation support under agreed trade finance structure, demonstrates how African businesses can leverage one connected ecosystem to identify opportunities, access finance and complete international trade more efficiently.

The ATG made it possible for the commercial opportunity to be connected to the right ecosystem participants, bringing together the buyer, supplier and participating financial institutions to support a successful execution of the transaction.

The transaction represents an important milestone for both the participating institutions and the ATG ecosystem as it marked Innbucks Microbank’s first completed transaction through the platform and the ATG’s first recorded energy-sector transaction in Southern Africa.

This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem

It also demonstrates how African Businesses can use a single digital ecosystem to identify commercial opportunities, connect with verified counterparties, access trade-finance support and execute cross-border transactions more efficiently.

Peter Olowononi, Director, Regional Operations, Southern Africa, at Afreximbank, said:

“This transaction demonstrates the value of bringing African businesses and financial institutions together through one connected trade ecosystem. By creating a digital ecosystem to expand access to trade finance, Afreximbank is enabling more businesses to participate easily in regional and international trade.”

Emeka Onyia, Director, Digital Business, at Afreximbank, added:

“The Africa Trade Gateway is more than a mere digital platform; it is the ecosystem that helps trade happen. We help businesses discover opportunities, connect with trusted buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and facilitate the journey from commercial opportunity to completed transactions. Every successful deal strengthens the network, attracts new participants and creates more opportunities for African trade.”

“As more businesses, banks and trade partners join the ecosystem, every successful transaction expands the marketplace, strengthens trust across the network and increases opportunities for future trade,” Mr. Onyia added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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