10th Anniversary of the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit #AESIS 2023: Our 2nd Investor Meetup in Mauritius

We recently had the privilege of hosting the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit #AESIS2023 Investor Meetup for the second time in Mauritius.??

AESIS is a collaborative initiative by VC4A and ABAN , dedicated to advancing innovation and growth within Africa's investment ecosystem. At its core, #AESIS2023 aimed to accelerate early-stage investing across the continent, revolving around the theme '10X-ing early-stage investment in Africa' in celebration of their 10th anniversary.

??It couldn't have been more fitting, as we celebrated our own milestones - Mo Angels' 2nd anniversary and our 10th investment, marking our commitment to fostering growth and innovation in Africa's startup ecosystem. In this global celebration, 40 investor meetups took place worldwide, with 31 hosted by local investors and organizations within Africa and an additional 9 in global cities.

Mo Angels, as the pioneering angel investor community in Mauritius, proudly hosted the 2nd investor meetup. Our primary aim is to enhance the capital resources available for fostering innovation across the continent.??

??The event brought together a dynamic mix of our investors, partners, institutions, and industry leaders in the spirit of collaboration. Hosted in partnership with Equitable Ventures and efino , this meetup was a testament to the power of collaboration as a catalyst for innovation.?

The goal? To boost the available capital pool for innovation in the continent, turning ideas into reality and propelling businesses toward sustainable success. Our journey is centred around our achievements, investors, startups, our partners, and the potential we see in Africa's future.

Reflecting on Our Discussions: Key Takeaways?

??Brigitte Baumann: Preparing Startups for Exit?

We were honored to have Brigitte Baumann Gervais , the founder of efino and GoBeyond and an accomplished early-stage investor, who shared her invaluable insights during the event. With over three decades of expertise in introducing technologies to markets across the US and Europe, and a track record of investing in over 60 companies, Brigitte Baumann delved deeply into the essential aspects of readying startups for exit.??

She explored diverse exit strategies, optimal timing, and decision-making in her narrative, offering enlightening insights from her experience as an early-stage investor, highlighting her passion for startups. Among her 20 exits, approximately 5 yielded significant returns, emphasizing the risk-reward blend typical of early-stage investments in Africa, offering vital guidance for both investors and startups navigating this complex landscape.

??Fireside Chat with Fabrice Boullé: Does Valuation Matter??

Fabrice Boullé , a seasoned venture capitalist integral to Africa's VC ecosystem, with a decade of experience evaluating 2,000+ ventures and investing in 25+ firms, played a key role in boosting growth among African startups. The highlight of the event was the engaging fireside chat between Fabrice Boullé and Brigitte Baumann, representing distinct spheres of the investment world.

??Their discussion revolved around "Does Valuation Matter?" They brought unique perspectives to the table, with Brigitte Baumann's prominence in the angel investment community and Fabrice Boullé's representation of the venture capital sector. They explored different valuation approaches, challenges in the process, and strategies to mitigate valuation risks, shedding light on the essential nuances in the investment landscape.

??As we reflect on the successful #AESIS2023 Mauritius Investor Meetup, we reiterate our commitment to fostering growth and innovation in Africa's startup ecosystem. Join us at our upcoming info sessions, pitch events, and other initiatives aimed at supporting early-stage investments in the region. Interested in joining our community? Contact us at [email protected] or visit our website mo-angels.com?

??Together, we can drive innovation, propel startups to new heights, and make a meaningful impact on Africa's economic landscape.