Supporting African Startups, Microsoft at DEMO Africa 2018

Sep 29, 2018

Microsoft sponsors DEMO Africa 2018, as it seeks to support African Startups

 

DEMO Africa 2018

DEMO Africa 2018 is set to take place in Morocco and Microsoft is a lead sponsor of the event. Taking place October 18-19th 2018 in Casablanca and hosted by the African Technology Foundation.

30 startup finalists from across Africa will showcase their innovations to an audience of investors, corporate acquirers and strategic partners. Five finalists will qualify for the Lions Innovation Tour of Silicon Valley.

Since the introduction of 4Afrika Initiative back in 2013, Microsoft has partnered and supported programs that aim at developing startups. This year won’t be any different as Microsoft continues to support DEMO Africa.

Speaking on the partnership Microsoft’s Africa Startup Lead, Tarik Hilali, said; “the engagement forms part of Microsoft 4Afrika’s continent-wide commitment to empower local technology startups. By providing them with access to technology, information, markets, finance, skills and services“.

Microsoft’s partnership with Demo Africa and others like it, it says are to create an environment where key role players are working together to support startup needs.

Microsoft 4Afrika is actively empowering SMEs and startups in Africa to digitally transform. Ensuring they are more profitable, sustainable, scalable and competitive“. – Tarik Hilali, Africa Startup Lead – Microsoft

Through the Microsoft 4Afrika initiative, Microsoft reports 64 startups have received financing. It also shares 100 other startups across the region have received direct mentorship and technical supports.

Tarik shared on how Microsoft will be involved at Demo Africa 2018. Microsoft will be involved in speaking sessions, hosting hands-on workshops for finalists and providing technical and financial support for the conference. “Microsoft 4Afrika also uses DEMO Africa as a platform to identify and recruit high-potential startups into its own investment network”. 

DEMO Africa 2018

Silicon Valley will be at DEMO Africa 2018

This year organizers of the event say it will receive leading Venture Capitalists from Silicon Valley. They will seek to explore investment opportunities, broaden their knowledge of the African startup ecosystems as well as share best practices on global venture creation during the event.

“The 2018 edition of DEMO Africa will also include the Ecosystem Enabler Series. A combination of keynotes, panels and fireside chats that will yield productive dialogue between industry leaders and innovation actors about the future of the African technology ecosystem; the Investor Round-tables and Angel Investor Summit”

Interested in attending? Get a ticket for the event here.