Navigating Funding & Grants: How to Secure Financing for African Market Entry
Niklas Fischer

Funding is crucial to scaling Clean Tech ventures, especially when entering emerging markets like Africa. Niklas Fischer from DEG Impulse will provide an in-depth look at:
• The various funding opportunities available for startups working in CleanTech and energy access.
• Key criteria that investors look for in African market-entry ventures.
• The different types of grants, venture capital, and impact investment funding that could support your startup.
• Insights from working with African CleanTech ventures: What funding strategies worked and what didn’t.

This session will arm you with the knowledge you need to secure the right financing and navigate the funding landscape effectively.

Navigating Africa’s Climate Innovation Landscape: Key Trends, Technologies, and Financing
Luisa Carpenter

 Join Luisa Carpenter, Investment Officer at AfricInvest, as she shares her insights into the climate innovation space sector across Africa, focusing on the trends and technologies that are shaping the industry. In this session, Luisa will cover:
• Market Trends: An overview of the key trends driving climate innovation across key sectors including Agriculture & Food, Mobility, and Built Environment sectors.
• Emerging Technologies: Insights into the key business models and innovations that are receiving increasing traction and hold the most potential to generate impact.
• Funding Landscape: Discussion of the funding gap and supporting startups align their funding approach to investor requirements. Discussion of what makes a strong pitch, what are key success points, and key factors to consider when transitioning into the African market.

Founder’s Journey: Scaling CleanTech in Africa
Maximilian Spannagel

Maximilian Spannagel, founder of EcoPhi, shares his firsthand journey of scaling off-grid energy solutions in Africa. In this session, he will discuss:
• His personal experiences as a founder navigating the African Clean Tech sector.
• The key challenges he faced while expanding into diverse markets, from regulatory hurdles to infrastructure gaps.
• Opportunities he identified in renewable energy access and how EcoPhi adapted to local needs.
• Valuable insights into the market dynamics and growth potential for startups focused on sustainable energy in Africa.

This session offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to enter or expand in African markets.

Decentralized Clean Tech: Solar Water Desalination and Ice-Making for Agriculture and Fisheries
Dr. Hamed Beheshti

Access to clean water and reliable cold chains are critical for farmers and fishermen facing the challenges of drought, salinity, and post-harvest losses. Boreal Light’s decentralized solar-powered desalination and ice-making systems provide affordable drinking and irrigation water and sustainable off-grid cooling for fisheries and food storage. This session explores how innovative clean technologies can strengthen rural livelihoods, enhance food security, and build climate resilience - powered entirely by the sun.

Doing Business in Africa: Understanding Cultural Nuances
Derrick Seyram Vormawor

Building successful relationships in Africa requires more than just understanding business strategy - it’s about cultural awareness and trust-building. Derrick Seyram Vormawor will cover:
• The key cultural differences and business etiquette you need to know when engaging with African partners.
• How to build trust with local communities and stakeholders, a critical factor in business success across Africa.
• The negotiation styles that work best in different African countries and how to adapt to them.
• How to find, vet, and establish partnerships with local businesses, ensuring long-term success and collaboration.

This session will equip you with the cultural tools and strategies necessary for successful market entry and partnership development in Africa.