EMERGING VALLEY – The Summit on Emerging Africa-Europe Innovation

100 start-ups, incubators and investors from 20 countries gathered at 2 exceptional locations: the Palais du Pharo and thecamp.

The EMERGING VALLEY summit is being held on November 20 at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille and on November 21 at thecamp in Aix-en-Provence, under the patronage of French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron. EMERGING VALLEY has been organized against the backdrop of a growing convergence of the… innovation between Africa and Europe and is a unique occasion in Provence for future entrepreneurs to meet and exchange ideas.

After three years spent exploring and connecting start-up ecosystems across more than 25 African countries, the founder of StartupBrics (and author of Startup Lions, the first book on African tech, prefaced by Xavier Niel) Samir Abdelkrim has set his sights, through EMERGING VALLEY, on making the Aix-Marseille Provence area a key hub between Africa and Europe and between Europe and the emerging markets.

More than 100 start-ups, incubators and investors from more than 20 African countries (Senegal, Benin, South Africa, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Egypt…) will be coming together in France’s second city to take part in plenary sessions, conferences and workshops to develop business opportunities.

Themed, Participative Workshops with Innovation Pioneers

EMERGING VALLEY will be focusing on four main themes:

• Financing, with the participation of investors, venture capitalists and business angels from Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean;
• #tech4good to foster disruptive innovation in sustainable development and social inclusion;
• E-health aimed at improving health systems and creating new partnerships;
• Emerging regions, in relation to finding solutions for tomorrow’s smart cities.

Women entrepreneurs will be the subject of a special plenary session taking place on November 20, 2018, at the Palais du Pharo.

In the participative workshops, legaltech Africa, social change makers, the e-health revolution and open innovation will be some of the showcased themes.

Lastly, join us on November 21 at thecamp for the exclusive launch by French President, Mr. Emmanuel MACRON, of the Digital Africa Platform to support African start-ups.

Entry to the event is free, but prior registration is required as the number of places is limited.

Creating Value Locally Around Africa

As part of the summit, Provence Promotion and its partners will be hosting foreign business delegations, each with a specific visit schedule.

A first Tunisian delegation, in partnership with Euroméditerranée, is looking to develop projects in the Aix-Marseille-Provence area and the second, a Brazil-Business France venture, is interested in France as a gateway to the African market.

The Aix-Marseille Provence Metropolitan Area is a natural Mediterranean trade hub between Europe and Africa, focused on innovation and technology.

Register now to connect with African innovation stakeholders, EMERGING VALLEY 2018.

Emerging Valley is an event supported by local government organizations including the Bouches-du-Rhône département, the Aix-Marseille Provence Metropolitan Authority, the Marseille Provence CCI, Euroméditerranée, the City of Marseille and several other partners in the local economic and digital ecosystems, including Provence Promotion.