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Defining an Investment Framework for Africa

Dear Friends, 

Since 2010, African Diaspora Network (ADN) has energized collaboration among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and African diasporans to uplift its local community toward the benefit of Africa and immigrants. Over the course of nine years, our grassroots efforts have culminated into one of the most rewarding and meaningful outcomes: African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2020 (ADIS2020). We are delighted to invite you to save the date and attend the fifth iteration of our convening from Thursday, January 23, to Saturday, January 25, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.

Our flagship event, held annually in Santa Clara County, California, USA, convenes entrepreneurial-minded, Africa-focused high-level leaders and professionals from across the world for insightful dialogue around investment and innovation in Africa and partnership and mentorship opportunities. The symposium activates the potential of partnership, drawing over 1000 participants from Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States over its past four editions. 

The symposium is an experience that is curated to build relationships, partnerships, share knowledge, foster mentorship, and advance investment opportunities. Our tangible results have cemented us as a trusted partner that provides real value to the local economy in Silicon Valley and in Africa. Read more to learn about our August updates including the ADIS2020 announcement, the launch of the Builders of Africa's Future 2020 application, and open registration for our upcoming September 17 Impact & Innovation Series event in Washington D.C. 


As always,
Thank you,

Almaz Negash

Founder & Executive Director, African Diaspora Network 
Member of UN ECA HLPM on Migration & Immigration (2017-19) 
Executive in Residence, GLAC, School of Business, SJSU (2018-19) 

Apply Today to Builders of Africa's Future 2020!

Apply to the 2020 Builders of Africa's Future Awards by Sept. 30!

African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2020 (ADIS2020) is the fifth annual global convening of leaders, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs who seek to uplift the African continent by building bridges among Africans, Diasporans, and friends of Africa. Located in Silicon Valley, the innovation and entrepreneurial capital of the world, the conference aims to inspire and empower participants to be agents of change and active contributors to Africa’s development.

The 2020 convening seeks to define an investment framework for Africa through workshops, panel discussions, fireside chats, and participant-driven design labs focused on designing streamlined and sustainable systems across the continent. With a key emphasis on harnessing the power of digitization, major themes include:
  • The Role of Government and Businesses to Create Private-Public Partnerships
  • Investment and Entrepreneurship to Build Thriving Communities in Africa
African Diaspora Network invites you to our signature conference to celebrate five years of ADIS, fostering the ingenuity of the African community at home and abroad alongside champions from around the world.

Nominate the Next  Builders of Africa's Future!

Apply to be a part of the 2020 Builders of Africa's Future cohort!

African Diaspora Network (ADN) is delighted to announce the launch of the 2020 Builders of Africa's Future application! This year's cohort will be a part of “Innovation through Collective Collaboration,” a mentoring program for entrepreneurs, students, and professionals in the Diaspora and Africa, conducted in partnership with eBay Foundation. 

With expertise from executives and mentors in Silicon Valley, this program strengthens ADN’s capacity to mentor fellows selected among the 2020 Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF) awardees. The 2020 BAFs will benefit from mentorship from eBay and an all-day workshop at the Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University. These trainings will support our winning candidates' early-stage start up goals of leading and scaling innovative enterprises and projects, with a focus on preparing their businesses to attract investment opportunities that support the new solutions they are implementing to impact the Diaspora and the Continent. Learn more about our program requirements and nominate an organization by September 30, 2019. 

Apply to the 2020 Builders of Africa's Future Awards by Sept. 30!

Register for the September 17 Impact & Innovation Series in Washington D.C.! 

Limited Space! Register Today for Sept. 17 - First Come, First Serve

African Diaspora Network is delighted to announce its second annual convening in Washington D.C. on September 17, 2019, in partnership with Symantec,  USA for International Organization for Migration (IOM), USAID, Wilson Center, and PYXERA Global.

This event is inspired by the success of the August 2018 ADN convening, “Harnessing the Knowledge and Resources of Africans in the Diaspora for Positive Impact,” that garnered the attendance of over 165 participants. The convening seeks to address issues imperative to the D.C. community, including U.S. policies toward Africa on investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, trade, and the role that Africans in the Diaspora have within these areas.

We invite interested participants to this in-depth conversation with entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other public and private partners with the goal to contribute to empower communities in Africa and support relevant stakeholders towards a common vision of achieving self-reliance and prosperity for all. Limited space - register today before seats are filled!

Register Today for the September 17 Impact & Innovation Event!
ADN Impact & Innovation Series:
Washington D.C.

Partnerships and Policies for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Investment


When: September 17, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM; followed by reception
Where: 700 13th Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington D.C. 20005
About the African Diaspora Network Impact and Innovation Series
The African Diaspora Network Impact and Innovation Series brings together Africans, diasporans, and friends of Africa from across sectors ranging from government to business to NGOs to academia in order to strengthen partnerships and advance the development of the African continent. Since our launch of the initiative in 2018, we have scaled up our year-round speaker series to take place at four strategic locations across the U.S.

August 10 Impact & Innovation Series: Shifting Global Perspectives on Investment in Africa

Summary and Action Steps

How can we engage Silicon Valley venture capitalists to see Africa as an investment destination? How can we increase the participation of Africans in VC, Impact, and Philanthropic investment, and drive the inclusivity of women in that sector? 

On August 10, African Diaspora Network convened investors, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists in Silicon Valley to discuss how to shift global perspectives toward Africa as the next frontier for Venture, Impact, and Philanthropic investments. The panel featured moderator Sid Mofya, Draper Venture Network; Lydia Idem, FM Capital Group; Jude O’Reilley, Skoll Foundation; Magatte Wade, Skin is Skin; and Marsha Wulff, LoftyInc Capital Management. 
With 50+ audience members present at the event, panelists and participants engaged in a deep-dive discussion to address three primary areas of interest: 1) how do you get access to funding, 2) how do you attract investors to your venture, and 3) how can we increase the network. Marsha Wulff presented the case for Africa as an investment destination, as Jude O’Reilley distinguished Africa’s unique value proposition through the lens of Skoll Foundation. As an entrepreneur, Magatte, shared her experience fundraising for her venture, as Lydia delved into her work with engaging Africans in the diaspora to invest back home. 
Read the complete August 10 Impact & Innovation Series Summary

Upcoming Impact & Innovation Series Events

This year, ADN invites you to join us at key national hubs of influence: Silicon Valley, the center of innovation and entrepreneurship; Los Angeles, the center of media and entertainment; New York; the center of finance; and Washington D.C., the center of diplomacy and policy. Our year-round forums offer thought-provoking conversations around strategic and consistent diaspora engagement in Africa's future and empowering youth in their entrepreneurship and leadership journeys.
September 19 | New York City
Vision 2025: New York Private Dinner


African Diaspora Network invites select attendees to an exclusive dinner sponsored by King Baudouin Foundation United States (KFBUS). Our purpose is to share the work of ADN and our vision and mission and to bring in valuable insight on ways to bring Africans and friends of Africa together to achieve Vision 2025.
 

Harnessing the Ripple Effect of ADN

African Diaspora Network seeks past participants of ADN events, including African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS 2016 - 2019) and our Impact & Innovation Series, to share the takeaways of their experience. Organizations such as LoftyInc Capital Management, Gebeya, and Flutterwave have benefited from connections made through ADN and our signature African Diaspora Investment Symposium to meet some incredible people.
Help us harness our ripple effect and fill out the survey to amplify the impact of your work as we prepare for our landmark fifth annual convening, African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2020 (ADIS2020). *Note: The final set of questions are specific to past and current awardees of Builders of Africa's Future. We thank you for contributing your feedback and sharing your stories!
Give Us Your Feedback! Share Your Stories & Amplify ADN
"While LoftyInc Management partners were attending the 2017 ADIS, African cohort members of YC & 500 Startups came to meet us there. As a result of knowing their backgrounds from our team on the ground and meeting them at ADIS, we have since been confident enough to invest in three Africa-facing ventures: Flutterwave, Printivo and Kangpe/Reliance HMO. Their average value has appreciated 2-3x in 2 years. They are part of our Afropreneurs Fund portfolio, which seeks to raise up to $60M to do more of the same." - Marsha Wulff, LoftyInc. Capital Management

Become a Member of ADN!

Join Us Today & Get Access to Your 2019 ADN Membership Benefits

Your membership enables you to unique access to ADN and the global leaders, innovators, investors and entrepreneurs like you who seek to uplift the African continent. We have an exciting year ahead, with convenings across the United States and Africa, supporting our Builders of Africa Awardees and other startups in Africa and building momentum for ADIS2020. Learn about membership levels and benefits on the African Diaspora Network site.
Sign Up to Join ADN as a Member Today!

 Abundance in Africa MasterClass Series Now Available to All  Download and View Today

ADN is delighted to announce the complete release of the the Amplifying Abundnace in Africa Online MasterClass. Thank you to all those who have downloaded the videos and supported us in our efforts to make the videos accessible to everyone for the purpose of learning and understanding the opportunities in investment in Africa.
9+ Hours of MasterClass Content Now Accessible to All!

Read the ADIS2019 Summary & Action Report

Curious about what the African Diaspora Investment Symposium is all about? Read about our most recent symposium, ADIS2019, below!
Learn more and read our ADIS2019 Summary and Action Report

Community Partners Announcements

August 26: Leadership Forum on Social Innovation (LFSI): "The Diversity Challenge: Social Innovation in Women's Leadership"

This event will address ways to improve diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at women. Hear from a panel of women leaders and social entrepreneurs followed by breakout sessions to co-create socially innovative ways of addressing the issues and defining next steps. Learn how women leaders from different sectors are driving diversity and inclusion in the workplace and society and be part of the solution!

This event is part of the Global Leadership Advancement Center's (GLAC) Solution Discovery Series in which cross-sector leaders convene to "Connect, Learn, and Collaborate." Refreshments and appetizers will be provided and entry is free, courtesy of eBay.
Register Today for the Leadership Forum on Social Innovation!

Deadline Extended: Apply for the Pathways Out of Poverty Accelerator by August 30!

The Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University and Catholic Charities USA are now accepting applications for the GSBIⓇ Pathways Out of Poverty US (GSBI POP US) Accelerator, which helps social enterprises that serve the poor or other vulnerable communities in the US. Get personalized mentorship with Silicon Valley executives, combined with practical curriculum to develop your business model and strategy to grow your enterprise —all at no charge to the entrepreneur! Qualifying social enterprises are encouraged to apply to the #GSBI POP US Accelerator by August 30. 
Register for the Pathways Out of Poverty Accelerator by Aug. 30!

Register for Discover Global Markets: Powering & Building the Middle East & Africa Forum

Join us at the Discover Global Markets: Powering & Building the Middle East & Africa forum where you can meet with international buyers, connect with U.S. primes, tap the expertise of U.S. Commercial Diplomats, and access project opportunities in the Middle East and Africa's dynamic renewable energy, oil & gas, electricity infrastructure, engineering, construction and transportation sectors. This forum brings all these unique offerings from across the Middle East & Africa to one location for you to easily access in Houston, Sept. 30- Oct. 2. 

Please check the website for updates on additional international buyers and U.S. primes. And take advantage of our market intelligence resources as you develop your export strategy in the region and plan for your attendance at the forum.
Register for the Discover Global Markets Forum | Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

Visit our website

Copyright © 2019 African Diaspora Network, All rights reserved.


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