SA Innovation Summit - SAIS

SA Innovation Summit - SAIS Driving African innovation! 🌍 Connect. Collaborate. Create. Join us at ! 🚀

https://linktr.ee/sa_innovation_summit

We’re proud to support the launch of Africa's Business Heroes 2025! This initiative provides African entrepreneurs with...
15/04/2025

We’re proud to support the launch of Africa's Business Heroes 2025!

This initiative provides African entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship and global media exposure.

Don’t miss out - apply now: https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/register

18/03/2025

A thriving innovation ecosystem is about making a real impact. With the right support, innovators can create technologies that change the lives of their customers and build sustainable jobs.

The South Africa-Switzerland CleanTech Innovation Challenge 2025 has been a journey of collaboration, bringing together TIA, NRF, ABB, the Swissnex Network, and a diverse group of stakeholders committed to advancing CleanTech solutions.

What’s one way we can better support innovators in their journey? Let’s hear your thoughts! 👇

🤝 Tshepo Mangoele

Buntu Majaja of Science and Innovation’s Research Foundation and Innovation Agency; South Africa; of Switzerland in South Africa; of Basel; House Africa.

13/03/2025

đź’ˇ Innovation starts with access.

How do you take a great idea and turn it into something that creates jobs, income, and economic impact? It starts with the right support.

Through Living Labs, communities that have historically been left behind now have access to workspaces, mentorship, and prototyping facilities—giving grassroots innovators a real shot at success.

The ripple effect is massive, creating jobs and boosting local economies. How can we expand these opportunities even further? Let’s talk. ⬇️

🎙️ Catch the full conversation on Next Studio.

🎙️ Featuring: | | | Hosted by

đź“Ś Buntu Majaja

06/03/2025

No one understands Africa’s challenges better than Africans. That’s why the best solutions come from within.

In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Mamabolo, who breaks down how local innovation—from agriculture to healthcare—is transforming industries and communities.

We talk about:

The power of research in driving real-world solutions

The gap between funding and commercialization

Why Africa must solve its own challenges to build a stronger future

Watch now. The link is in our bio!

Captured by Tall Giraffe Video

05/03/2025

African innovation needs more than just vision—it needs action.

Startups face their toughest challenge before they even get off the ground—not due to a lack of great ideas, but a lack of early-stage funding.

As they share in this conversation, the right capital at the right time is the difference between failure and scale. But the question remains:

How do we create a funding ecosystem that champions African founders from the ground up?

It’s time to stop waiting for outside investment to shape our future. The change starts with us.

The full episode link is in our bio!

📽️ Captured by Tall Giraffe Video | Hosted by Melt van der Spuy | Featuring Audrey Verhaeghe, Saskia Nysschens

🤝🏽: Buntu Majaja

28/02/2025

How many groundbreaking African startups never get the chance to scale?

Across the continent, early-stage tech startups face immense challenges—not because they lack innovation, but because they struggle to access funding and the right networks. Too many promising ventures fall into the "missing middle" and disappear before they can grow.

Saskia Nysschens breaks down why supporting pre-seed startups is critical for Africa’s tech ecosystem. Success isn’t just about who you know—it’s about the connections you build, the doors you open through initiative, and the strategic partnerships that help you grow.

By actively networking, seeking opportunities, and fostering meaningful relationships, you can create your own path to success.

What do you think is the biggest hurdle for early-stage startups in Africa?

đź“ş Watch the full episode here: https://linktr.ee/sa_innovation_summit

🎙️ Hosted by: Melt van der Spuy
đź‘Ą Featuring: Audrey Verhaeghe Saskia Nysschens
đź‘Ą: Buntu Majaja

27/02/2025

There’s money in the system—are you ready to tap into it?

In 2009, South Africa had just one venture capital fund with R200 million.

Fast forward to today, and the VC sector is booming, with R3.2 billion in deals recorded just last year.

1. At least 94 fund managers are actively deploying capital.
2. R2 billion came from corporate investors.
3. R1 billion in dry powder is waiting for the right ideas.

Mr. Patrick Krappie, former Acting CEO and now Executive Innovation Enabling at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), breaks down how South Africa’s startup funding landscape has transformed.

TIA alone has funded 1,200 technologies in six years and currently manages 640 active projects.

Now is the time to take action—turn your vision into impact and be part of Africa’s innovation revolution.

🎙️ How does the national budget impact South Africa’s startup ecosystem?Join Ismail Abdoola, Acting CEO of Technology In...
25/02/2025

🎙️ How does the national budget impact South Africa’s startup ecosystem?

Join Ismail Abdoola, Acting CEO of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), as he sits down with Gugulethu Mfuphi on Kayabiz on Kaya FM to discuss the Seed Fund of Funds and the role of government-backed venture capital in fueling innovation and transforming the VC landscape.

Imagine that you have started an investment firm. What are the two to three things that you want to hear?

đź“» Tune in to Kayabiz on Kaya FM on this evening at 19:45 for expert insights!

🌍 Africa’s brightest minds, boldest startups, and biggest opportunities all in one place! The 6th Africa's Business Hero...
21/02/2025

🌍 Africa’s brightest minds, boldest startups, and biggest opportunities all in one place!

The 6th Africa's Business Heroes Summit & Grand Finale is set to take place on March 14-15, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the continent.

This year’s theme, "AI: African Innovation, Insight & Impact," will explore how technology-driven African startups are solving pressing challenges and driving economic growth.

Witness the Top 10 entrepreneurs compete for $1.5M in funding, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with game-changing opportunities.

Be part of this incredible moment. Register now! đź”— https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/the-community/2025-abh-grand-finale

SAIS24 wasn’t just a summit—it was a movement. 🚀 The brilliance. The passion. The game-changers. Every handshake, every ...
31/01/2025

SAIS24 wasn’t just a summit—it was a movement. 🚀

The brilliance. The passion. The game-changers.

Every handshake, every conversation, every bold idea—this is what drives African innovation forward. From groundbreaking insights to challenging the status quo, these leaders made an impact that will ripple far beyond SAIS24.

And this is just the beginning.

The network built here? It’s thriving. The momentum? Unstoppable. The future of entrepreneurship and tech in Africa? Being shaped right now.

29/01/2025

🚀 Welcome to 2025—another year of growth, innovation & opportunity!

What better way to kick off the year than by looking back at the groundbreaking moments of SAIS24? From visionary startups pitching their ideas to powerful collaborations that are shaping Africa’s innovation ecosystem, this was a summit to remember!

✨ This is just the beginning. We stepped into 2025 with a renewed focus on growth, collaboration, and game-changing innovation.

🎬 Press play and relive SAIS24

20/11/2024

“I would fix the entire political system…”

🎙️ Kaylynn Mundell had the privilege of interviewing Tshepo Magoele, the founder & CEO of LignOrganic.

🌍 LignOrganic transforms waste plant material into high-value biochemicals, biomaterials, and bioenergy.

Their flagship product, lignin, is prized for its natural UV-blocking properties. They’re focused on harnessing this benefit to create sunscreens specially designed for darker skin tones.

đź“ą: The African CEO | Enabling the World's Future Leaders

đź’ˇ Standing tall, the SAIS24 main stage hosted some of the most powerful conversations in African innovation. This massiv...
18/11/2024

đź’ˇ Standing tall, the SAIS24 main stage hosted some of the most powerful conversations in African innovation. This massive platform was home to industry leaders, change-makers, and forward-thinkers who brought new ideas to life and sparked transformative dialogues.

What were some of your favourite takeaways from the discussions here? Let us know! 👇

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Building Connections in Private Capital at SAIS24!We were thrilled to host the LPGP Connect pre-event, bringing together...
14/11/2024

Building Connections in Private Capital at SAIS24!

We were thrilled to host the LPGP Connect pre-event, bringing together leaders and investors to explore the latest trends in private debt and equity. This gathering provided invaluable insights into private capital markets and opened doors to new networking and deal-making opportunities.

Special thanks to Anza Capital for their partnership in making this possible, and to Audrey Verhaeghe for your inspiring contributions to SAIS24! Together, we’re strengthening the private capital ecosystem in Africa and beyond. 💼

-GPConnect

🚀 Meet Nicky Verd, a force to be reckoned with in the world of digital transformation! As a digital futurist, internatio...
23/10/2024

🚀 Meet Nicky Verd, a force to be reckoned with in the world of digital transformation!

As a digital futurist, international keynote speaker, and author of Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted, Nicky has inspired countless individuals to embrace innovation and personal disruption in an AI-powered world. Her passion for bridging the gap between people and technology makes her one of the top global thought leaders on digital disruption and the future of work. 🌍

We are incredibly honoured to have had her as a speaker and MC at , where she captivated the audience with her insights and energy! 🙌

Nicky, thank you for being an integral part of our summit and for driving the conversation around how we can disrupt the status quo in the tech landscape. đź’ˇ

Get your hands on Nicky Verd’s groundbreaking book Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted and start your digital transformation today: https://nickyverd.africa/product/disrupt-yourself-or-be-disrupted/

✨ The energy of SAIS24 continues to inspire! As we reflect on an incredible summit, it’s clear that each face holds a st...
22/10/2024

✨ The energy of SAIS24 continues to inspire!

As we reflect on an incredible summit, it’s clear that each face holds a story of innovation, collaboration, and ambition. Whether it’s forging new partnerships or sharing game-changing ideas, these moments capture the spirit of growth and creativity that defined SAIS24. We’re excited to see where these connections will lead next! 🌍

The SAIS community is a mosaic of diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives, all united by a shared mission. It’s through this diversity that we drive meaningful change across Africa’s innovation landscape.

What stood out to you most about your SAIS24 experience?💡👇

🌍 The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) took centre stage at SAIS24, proudly showcasing their mission to support South ...
18/10/2024

🌍 The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) took centre stage at SAIS24, proudly showcasing their mission to support South Africa’s innovators and drive technological advancements. As one of our sponsors, TIA’s presence at the summit highlighted the importance of fostering innovation through strategic partnerships. Their support empowers entrepreneurs to turn groundbreaking ideas into reality.

We’re excited to continue this journey of innovation together and see the future TIA is helping to create!

✨ Innovation thrives when people connect! Across diverse sectors and backgrounds, meaningful conversations sparked ideas...
17/10/2024

✨ Innovation thrives when people connect!

Across diverse sectors and backgrounds, meaningful conversations sparked ideas that could lead to the next big breakthrough. The collaboration between entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders created a space to explore new possibilities and grow together.

The diversity within our community made these moments even more powerful, with each person bringing a unique perspective to the table. This is where partnerships were formed, ideas were born, and connections were made that can drive change across industries.

Which conversation or connection left the biggest impression on you? Share below!💡👇

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