Three startups are in discussions with investors following the Angel Fair Africa event in Nairobi, Kenya last week, after 20 startups pitched to an audience of angels.
The event attracted 45 investors, with pitches from 20 curated startups and scale-ups from eight African countries.
There was significant investor interest, with Singularity Investments, a global investment firm that specialises in scaling early stage ventures in Africa and North America, expressing interest in one of the ventures, while Yossi Hasson of Techstars expressed interest in another.
Kenyan angel network Viktoria Ventures is in discussion with agri-tech startup FarmDrive over a potential deal.
“Angel Fair Africa sets itself apart as an event, which is focused on the getting deals done – dealmakers are matched with entrepreneurs and real problems are discussed by selected panels,” said Lexi Novitske, principal investment officer of Singularity Investments.
“Angel Investor’s provide the essential base in a vibrant startup ecosystem and Angel Fair Africa’s role in convening and strengthening these investors gives me confidence that the next generation of African startups are going to be even more impressive than the already exciting movement we see today,” Heath Arensen of Invested Development said.
500 Startups founder Dave McClure, who gave the final keynote, said: “It was terrific to meet the growing community of angels and VCs investing in Africa, as well as some great new African startups. I hope to come back again next year to learn more about new potential Zebra-corns!”
