Discover the Intersection of Climate Finance & Sports Business!

As this summer breaks heat records worldwide, the call for climate action is profound. Amidst the changing climate and unprecedented weather patterns, the importance of climate-oriented initiatives has never been more critical. Grabbing a hold on this opportunity, Africa is emerging as a leader where Climate Tech is progressively claiming a larger share of venture capital financing, underscoring the continent's commitment to innovative, green solutions, pioneering environmental stewardship.

This edition of IN THE VALLEY delves into the intersection of climate finance and sports business, featuring Iain Banner, Co-founder and Chairman of e-Movement and a global leader with over 35 years of entrepreneurial success across sports, entertainment, tech, luxury and sustainability. The podcast explores Iain’s incredible network and his passion for the green economy and how he leveraged it as a foundation to bring the electrifying Formula E race to South African soil.

Iain's Origin Story: Pioneering Sustainable Excellence

Iain Banner's story begins in 1985 when he co-founded a sports marketing firm, Sports International in South Africa known for creating and executing iconic events. His knack for innovation quickly secured partnerships with global giants like International Management Group (IMG), setting the stage for a career defined by pushing boundaries and redefining industries.

Yet, Iain’s true impact would unfold with his co-founding and becoming the CEO of Laureus: Laureus World Sports Awards and the Sport for Good Foundation. The inaugural edition happened in Monaco in 2000, with Nelson Mandela giving the opening address. These initiatives under Iain’s leadership have raised over $250 million using sports to transform the lives of millions of children worldwide. Just recently, I spent time in Atlanta with Olympic legend Edwin Moses who was involved and he only had great things to say about both the initiative and about Iain.

By 2005, Iain had already left an indelible mark on the global stage, steering major sponsorship strategies for the likes of Richemont International, and establishing himself as a key player in luxury goods events.

A Convergence of Sports and Entertainment

For over a decade, Iain has held pivotal roles in brand execution strategy, leveraging his experience to drive impactful initiatives across global markets. From an early age, he recognized the power of Sports and Entertainment industries to captivate audiences and drive positive change.

As the Co-founder of Gary Player Design Company, he spearheaded the expansion of business operations beyond the USA. His leadership was instrumental in securing prestigious design contracts across Europe, Asia, and South Africa, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the field of international business development.

The Formula E Race: At the Intersection of Climate Finance and Sports Business

Iain's recent achievement set the world abuzz by bringing the Formula E race to Cape Town in February 2023, a groundbreaking event that stands at the intersection of climate finance and sports business, and a testament to Iain's lifelong passion for both domains. Formula E Cape Town has become a beacon of sustainable motorsport, attracting global attention and promoting green technologies.

This electrifying event, which welcomed over 20,000 participants, epitomized Iain's commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship. Formula E, hailed as the pinnacle of green motorsport, showcased cutting-edge electric car technology and underscored Cape Town's role as a nucleus of environmental innovation on the global stage. The next race is expected in 2026. In the interim Iain puts together every year in February the Africa Green Economy Summit in Capetown. Don’t miss the 2025 sessions!

Climate Tech: A Rising Force in African Venture Capital

This year, climate tech has captured an unprecedented share of 45% ($325 million) of the total startup funding announced on the African continent, an all-time high since 2019, highlighting a significant shift towards sustainable development. This trend aligns with Iain Banner's vision for a greener world and underscores his role as a catalyst for sustainable future in the global business landscape.

Forging The Sustainable Self: Wellness and Health

A strong advocate for holistic well-being, Iain prioritizes health and wellness in both personal and professional endeavors. His commitment to sustainability extends beyond business, reflecting a deep-rooted belief in creating a positive impact on society and the environment. Iain's journey is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

Learning from Failures

Throughout his career, Iain Banner has embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. His resilience and determination have not only shaped his success but have also inspired countless entrepreneurs and change makers globally. Iain gets extremely vulnerable in this discussion and his insights on overcoming obstacles and learning from setbacks are invaluable lessons for all aspiring leaders. His global perspective and strategic vision have driven major initiatives, from international sponsorships to groundbreaking championships.

The Journey Continues

Today, Iain Banner remains at the forefront of pioneering ventures that blend innovation with impact. As Chairman of The Board of various companies, he continues to champion disruptive technologies that redefine industries while advocating for holistic wellness and social responsibility.

Ian’s latest venture is in the realm of wellness and sports. It is called NERGII. NERGII is a performance enhancing shoe innersole with the ability to activate mitochondria naturally. Mitochondria is the energy factories within human cells that power us as humans.

Iain has invited me to invest with him. I am proud to announce that I agreed and have already managed to give a bunch of the soles to our basketball players at the Capetown Tigers at the end of the Kalahari tournament in March in Pretoria. Judging by the players drastic improvement in their performance in Kigali few weeks back, I’d venture to say that you should also get your own pair 😎. We both invite you to get your orders on www.NERGII.com

Join the Movement

Join us on this exhilarating journey with Iain Banner, where each milestone is a testament to resilience, vision, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories as we continue to uncover the trailblazers shaping Africa's future across various sectors.

If you like Iain funky T-shirt, order one repping your country of choice from Get To Know Africa the site of another of our favorite founders in our ecosystem, Meron Demisse.

Subscribe to IN THE VALLEY on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anghami, and other platforms to be part of our exploration into Africa's dynamic spirit in sports, tech, media, entertainment, and fashion.

To share your story or insights, email us at [email protected]

Together, let's shape the future of innovation and sustainability across the African continent and beyond.