EMERGING Valley 2024: A bridge between investors and startups to strengthen innovation between Europe and Africa
Marseille will host the 8th edition of the EMERGING Valley summit in December. This event aims to be a crossroads between investors and entrepreneurs, focusing on strengthening ties between Europe and Africa through innovation.
On December 3, 2024, Aix-Marseille-Provence, recently named European Capital of Innovation, will host the EMERGING Valley summit for the eighth time. Held under the high patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, this event will take place in Marseille as well as at thecamp, a cutting-edge campus dedicated to innovation and collaboration. The event has been supported since its inception by founding partners such as the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Euroméditerranée Public Agency, the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council, and the City of Marseille, confirming its role as a platform catalyzing digital innovations and strategic investments for the region. EMERGING Valley aims to position Aix-Marseille-Provence as an essential hub for innovation and tech startups between Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and Africa.
« EMERGING Valley 2024 marks a decisive step in transforming economic relations between Europe and Africa »
The 2024 edition will place the financing of startups and innovation at the center of discussions, a strategic choice in a global economic context marked by uncertainty. Samir ABDELKRIM, founder of the summit, highlights the importance of this initiative by stating that “EMERGING Valley 2024 marks a decisive step in transforming economic relations between Europe and Africa.” The event will bring together European and African investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators, facilitating exchanges around new financing mechanisms that address current challenges. Among the prominent investors expected this year are influential figures such as Corinne Amori Brunet, Ambassador of Benin to France, and Jean Van Wetter, CEO of ENABEL, who will share their expertise and perspectives to support young innovative companies from Africa and Europe.
In addition to financing, EMERGING Valley 2024 will tackle a variety of current topics addressing major issues such as promoting a positive Mediterranean narrative in collaboration with the AFD Campus, the role of artificial intelligence in sustainable development, the construction of smart and sustainable cities, innovations in e-health, and cultural cooperation between Europe and Africa. These topics demonstrate the summit’s commitment to supporting digital transition and encouraging solutions that concretely address the needs and challenges of both continents.
Another highlight of the 2024 edition will be the Soft-Landing Provence Africa Connect program, led by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis. This initiative will allow 22 innovative African startups to access resources within the Provence ecosystem, providing them with a unique gateway to Europe. Selected startups will receive strategic support from local incubators, thereby strengthening economic ties and collaborations between Africa and Europe. This dynamic is part of the Provence Africa Connect initiative, an annual competition that rewards a project with a positive economic impact in Africa. This award, aimed at strengthening the international visibility of the Aix-Marseille-Provence region, will spotlight an impactful innovative project during the award ceremony scheduled for December 3 at thecamp.
South Africa in the spotlight
This year, South Africa will be in the spotlight, extending EMERGING Valley’s engagement with English-speaking countries after the 2023 edition dedicated to Kenya. South Africa, represented by a significant official delegation, will actively participate in discussions on sustainable impact and social entrepreneurship, two key issues of the summit.
The summit will be held in two emblematic venues of the region, the Palais du Pharo and thecamp. The Palais du Pharo will host personalized work meetings as well as private workshops for investors, all in a prestigious setting. As for thecamp, an innovation campus nestled in the heart of Provence, it will house several spaces dedicated to exchanges and collaborations: the Main Stage, where conferences and debates on global issues will be held; the Impact Stage, a platform for exchanges on topics like sustainability and digital inclusion; and the Co-Innovation Lab, a podcast studio that will encourage collaboration and collective innovation among startups, investors, and large companies. A series of podcasts summarizing the best collaborations will be broadcast after the event.
With an estimated attendance of over 2,000 people, 100 startups, and 30 investors from more than 50 countries, EMERGING Valley 2024 promises to be an unmissable event for innovation players looking to turn ideas into concrete solutions for global impact.
For more information : EMERGING Valley 2024
Tags : #Innovation #Africa #Europe #EMERGINGValley2024 #startups #financing
