From pre-seed to scale-up: venture capital as a lever for innovation and transformation
May 11, 2026 | 3:45 PM EAT - 4:15 PM EAT
Agora Innovate
Description
This panel explores how venture capital can support African start-ups from initial funding through to scaling up. It will bring together the perspectives of entrepreneurs and investors on the needs, obstacles and conditions for growth. The discussion will begin with the experiences of start-ups before broadening to the challenges of structuring the African VC ecosystem.
Summary :
This panel discussion explores the challenges of scaling African startups through the "messy middle," where founders must transition from early-stage experimentation to building resilient, institutional-grade businesses. Participants argue that the ecosystem is currently hindered by a misalignment between venture capital structures—often imported from other regions—and the reality of building foundational infrastructure in Africa. To foster genuine innovation, the speakers advocate for longer investment horizons, more collaborative "club" deals, and a shift in focus toward building durable, profitable companies rather than solely chasing unicorn valuations.
This summary was generated by AI.