StArfrica strengthens startup networks and partnerships in South Africa

The trip focussed on new institutional partnerships, the identification of promising start-up teams for the EXIST start-up grant and the further development of the documentary "10 Faces Changing Africa - South Africa Women Edition". Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three South African universities (Nelson Mandela University, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape) also formally cemented the newly established partnerships and laid the foundations for long-term collaboration.

An important part of the programme was the exchange with Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). As part of the discussions, six start-up teams were presented that are generally eligible for funding as part of the EXIST start-up grant. Three teams with particularly high potential were identified and are now to be included in the further StArfrica incubation pipeline. The StArfrica team was particularly impressed by the warm local hospitality, the impressive campus and the committed and successful work of the Mandela University Africa Hub (MUAH), which has positioned itself as an important driver of innovation and entrepreneurship at the university.

Cape Town: New partnerships and expansion of the pipeline

In Cape Town, the StArfrica representatives held talks with Stuart Hendry, Head of the Entrepreneurship Education Programme "Genesis" at the University of Cape Town, as well as with Enrico Cupido and Abraham Johannes Oliver from the University of the Western Cape. Both universities have strong start-up networks and promising start-up teams that can be considered for the EXIST start-up grant in the future.

Another important exchange took place with the non-profit organisation HOPE Cape Town under the leadership of Dr Izane Reyneke. Initial starting points for cooperation in the area of innovation and social impact were discussed.

In addition, StArfrica met Kwanele Mkhwanazi, representative of the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and Anja Tambusso-Ferraz from the Western Cape regional office of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Southern Africa (AHK Southern Africa) to explore opportunities for closer international cooperation.

"10 Faces Changing Africa" - South Africa in focus

Parallel to the network meetings, the production of the documentary "10 Faces Changing Africa - South Africa" further advanced. Behind-the-scenes footage was shot in Fish Hoek and Bellville for the new edition, while the final interviews were recorded in Cape Town.

With this documentary series, StArfrica makes innovative female entrepreneurs visible and shows the contribution they make to economic and social change in Africa.

StArfrica builds bridges between Africa and Germany

The trip to South Africa showed the potential that lies in closer cooperation between African universities, startup ecosystems and German grant programmes. New partnerships were initiated, promising start-up teams were identified and important networks were further strengthened.

StArfrica is thus further expanding its role as a bridge between African entrepreneurship and German innovation and funding structures.