Startups in Africa
This seminar explores the recent surge of venture capital in Africa’s startup ecosystem. This research introduces new data infrastructure to analyse this emerging landscape, revealing key characteristics of African startups and their founders. The study highlights a unique aspect: the significant role of foreign influence in Africa’s startup scene.
The presenters discuss investment patterns, including the prevalence of internationally connected entrepreneurs and foreign investors. The seminar will also cover results from a large-scale field experiment in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), investigating African startups’ capital preferences. Findings reveal entrepreneurs’ desire for investors with local experience while maintaining company control. The presentation addresses the implications of a “missing” local equity financing market and its impact on foreign influence in Africa’s entrepreneurial future.