Jay Shapiro 🌍 🎮 🚀

Just had the first interest call with AfriBlocks a community of freelancers and founders that are elevating the budding African tech nation. Tech is the greatest equalizer and between AI/Web 3 and remote first founders, the sky is the limit on what one can build. This is also a two way community. They reached out for their founder feature, but this also establishes an amazing partnership, where I can get the talent I need, from a continent that is seeming to leapfrog through this new AI revolution, bringing abundance where its deserved. Excited to build and deepen this relationship. Here is a nugget from their founder..a payments genius..Tongayi Choto 🥁 Fight the urge to build in silence. There is often that personal reason to build in silence ( you know something you make money from that could benefit others, but you don't want people around you to know you make from it) this is a poor mindset that limits growth and expansion. 🥁 When you meet person(s) who are interested in what you do, they do not necessarily need to be in the same career space with you; keep in touch and ensure they get updates on what you do. Soon they will reach out if they need your services. 🥁 Ensure people in your contact, and social and business cycle know what you do. It is easy to get referrals and recommendations from there. Well said! Looking forward to the relationship here. #technations #africa

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Great to speak on the UKTN podcast speaking on our work at Openseed VC backing experienced operators, and talking about the incredible potential of European and African ecosystem. There is a growing pipeline of experienced operators starting their technology companies across both regions -- this is the focus for Openseed VC On the podcast, we talk about AI, emerging technology trends, the importance of talent, liquidity, impact of policy on the entrepreneurship ecosystem and many more! I also speak about the incredible growth opportunity that is the #African continent - tough macro climate yes -- but we believe difficulty is the flip side of opportunity to create value. There will be an incredible crop of experienced operators who choose to solve difficult, impactful and commercially viable problems. At Openseed VC we want to be your launch partner if this sounds like you! Got questions, we've got answers on www.openseed.vc/faq A huge thanks to the UKTN team for having me! #OpenseedVC #UKTN #Europe #Africa https://lnkd.in/eAH9ZbNM

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AI Startups Swap Independence for Big Tech’s Deep Pockets: The Vanishing Innovation Hubs In the rapidly evolving generative AI space, a noticeable trend is emerging: the most promising startups are being absorbed or closely aligned with the dominant US tech giants. This shift, driven by financial constraints, ... [...] #AI #InnovationHubs Read more... https://lnkd.in/dnhTjUXZ

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🌍 Africa Just Got a New Unicorn! 🎉 Nigeria’s Moniepoint Group has raised a whopping $110 million in Series C funding, led by Development Partners International (DPI). They’ve now joined the elite African Unicorn Club, standing alongside giants like MNT-Halan, Interswitch, Flutterwave, Wave, Chipper Cash, Opay and Andela. This round saw participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, and existing investor Lightrock. Interestingly, the round included some secondaries at a discounted valuation—always great for creating liquidity in the ecosystem. Moniepoint Group provides retail banking services and also caters to small and medium businesses. With 5.2 billion transactions processed in 2023 alone, over $100M in annualised revenue and having processed over $150 billion in transactions that year - the bar has been set! 💥 Exciting times for African fintech and venture space! 🚀 #AfricaTech #Unicorn #Fintech #Innovation

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Check out the topics we've lined up for the rest of the year and join us as we support African entrepreneurs. #Shujaacapital #PaschalOffordum #Africanstartups

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🚨 Last Chance to Register! 🚨 Only a few hours left until our FREE AI webinar for Southern Africa! Join us today to discover how AI is transforming banking operations and customer satisfaction. 🔗 Register now—link in comments! Don’t miss out on this opportunity! #AIinBanking #FreeWebinar #FluidAI

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ICP Hubs Global Town Hall 2024, Global ICP Hubs - Africa Highlights The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) continues to demonstrate its potential as a big force in the tech world, not just as a blockchain platform, but as a catalyst for innovation and social impact. ICP Hub Africa's Impact During the 24-hour Global Town Hall, ICP Hub Africa has an impressive array of projects built on the ICP platform. ICP's blockchain infrastructure enables developers to build more secure, scalable, and efficient applications, paving the way for a new era of technological adoption across the continent. Spotlight on some projects South Africa's Technological Awareness Brenton Naicker from South Africa highlighted a critical insight: "People will use the best technology if they are aware of it." This underscores the importance of education and awareness in technology adoption, a key focus for ICP initiatives. Renewable Energy Ventures Ahren P., in the renewable energy space, describes energy as "the biggest asset class of our generation." His project harnesses ICP's canisters - a unique feature in ICP protocol Agricultural Advances North Quotient is tackling significant data gaps in agriculture in Africa and the Global South, leveraging ICP's blockchain to ensure data integrity and accessibility, which are crucial for informed decision-making and resource management in agriculture. Empowering Creators @Wisalani Hlangwane's initiative focuses on empowering creators to monetize their content directly through blockchain, bypassing traditional platforms that often take large cuts from their earnings. Yvonne Kagondu, leading the East Africa hub, has spearheaded a movement that has executed 13 hackathons, reached over 30+ universities, and engaged with more than 40 media houses within just a year. The hub has built a massive community and developed several notable projects, highlighting how blockchain technology can be a cornerstone for innovation and community building. West Africa's Business Development Strides @ West Africa, the focus has been on fostering business development, partnerships, and collaborations with universities. These efforts are crucial in creating a sustainable ecosystem that supports the long-term growth of blockchain technology. Why ICP? ICP stands out due to its: Extensive research team committed to advancing blockchain technology. User-friendly interface that makes navigating blockchain spaces more accessible. Robust protocol that ensures security, scalability, and performance. Conclusion Africa is not just participating in the blockchain revolution but is actively shaping its future. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, the work being done today lays the groundwork for a more connected, efficient, and equitable tomorrow. Hongera ICP Hubs.

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What a great opportunity to explain how EdTech in Education and Corporates can come together. Especially how Ambani Africa is making it possible to integrate such a platform in the ECD space with simple and cost effective solutions. Can’t wait for the next webinar! #Edtech #Education #AR #Multilingalism

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>>Which global startup accelerator programs do African startups struggle to get into in their first year of running their business? How many investors outside your network have you been able to connect with from using Pitchwise (https://www.pitchwise.se)? If you know founders who need help with generating qualified investor leads for their funding round, share what they are building.

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The "need-to-have" sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and climate (which for Beyond Capital Ventures means mobility and agriculture) are the backbone of the African economy — as are MSMEs. 🌍 I had the pleasure of speaking on the topic of "Investing in Africa's Resilient Sectors: A New Future" at the recent #UnstoppableAfrica 2024 conference hosted by the Global Africa Business Initiative in New York City. Check out this clip and be sure to share your thoughts! #GABI2024 #emergingmarkets #investinafrica #msme #BCVNews

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Breaking News!!! ASEB Welcomes Simon T. to Advisory Board We are thrilled to announce that Simon Turner has joined the Advisory Board of the Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB). Simon brings over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategy to the ASEB Advisory Board. As a Founding Partner of The Groundbreaking Org, he is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial breakthroughs in frontier markets. Simon also leads the Ghana chapter of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed accelerator. His extensive background includes: *A decade of service in the Royal Australian Air Force *Experience as a proptech founder *Director at MEST (Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology) *Founding Executive Director of the UK's Challenges Group & Challenges Worldwide in Ghana *Regular judge and mentor on TV shows "The McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge" and "The Circular Economy Competition" *Ambassador for the City of Berlin With nearly a decade of living in Ghana and working across Africa, Simon has been instrumental in supporting promising startups across various sectors. His expertise lies in helping entrepreneurs build credibility, generate revenue, gain traction, and access global networks and opportunities. Simon's current projects include collaborations with the Africa Startup Academy, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and initiatives in Frontier Entrepreneurship. We are confident that Simon's wealth of experience and passion for nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems will greatly contribute to the mission and vision of ASEB. His insights will be invaluable as we continue to support and celebrate startup ecosystem builders across Africa. Important ASEB Updates: *Award Nominations Extended: The deadline for ASEB Awards nominations has been extended to July 21, 2024. *Complete Your Applications: For those who have been nominated, please ensure you complete your application form before the new deadline. *Nominate Deserving Ecosystem Builders: If you know of ecosystem builders across Africa doing amazing work, we encourage you to nominate them. *Self-nominations are also welcome and encouraged. *Nomination Link: To submit nominations, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dvcmTUMS *Collaboration Opportunities: ASEB is open for collaborations and partnerships for this year's event and beyond. Event Details: The ASEB Summit and Awards will take place in Accra, Ghana from October 2-4, 2024. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of startup ecosystem builders across Africa. Join us in this exciting opportunity to showcase and support African entrepreneurship! Wish to get involve? collaborations or partnerships, or the event, please visit our website or contact our team directly. Join us in welcoming Simon Turner to the ASEB Advisory Board and take part in this year's ASEB Summit and Awards! McKevin Ayaba #ASEB2024

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More information on the fast growing creator economy- with a focus on Africa. Read alongside Upstart Co-Lab’s review of how impact investors can help shape the creator economy to be more inclusive and equitable, enabling sustainable creative lives: https://lnkd.in/eNqJAufa #impactinvesting #impinv #creatoreconomy #creativeeconomy #creativity

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This is Africa’s digital decade: Google’s $1 billion commitment to Africa aims to boost connectivity, drive local innovation, and support startups. Its recent impact report highlights that every dollar invested in Africa’s digital economy could yield a return of over two dollars by 2030, emphasizing digital technology’s multiplier effect. Additionally, Google’s products generated $16 billion in economic activity in Africa last year, empowering businesses and creators. As Google expands initiatives like AI training and subsea cable projects, what further investments might foster Africa’s digital transformation most effectively? Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/d--B-yS7

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In the next PAFP episode we interview the Founders of NEWF ... learn more about changing the optics and storytellers of African Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers! Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers

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Metaverse Motion Sickness: A Growing Concern for Virtual Reality Users As virtual reality \(VR\) technologies continue to evolve, the metaverse has become a popular platform for immersive experiences, entertainment, and even work. However, with the rapid... [...] #Desensitization #MetaverseMotionStress #Motionsickness #Teleportation #VirtualrealityUsers #VR Read more... https://lnkd.in/eqBvtQTa

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