HumanIPO has partnered with Nairobi-based DEMO Africa, a support network for African startups, in a bid to increase publicity and awareness of the tech scene on the continent.
In its second year, DEMO Africa was born out of the Liberating Innovation in Opportunity Nations (LIONS@FRICA) partnership, while HumanIPO has reporters in all Africa’s tech hubs.
Harry Hare, executive producer at DEMO Africa, said: “This partnership is a perfect match as both our organisations are trying to do the same thing in different ways, coming together increases the impact of our work and benefits to the startup and innovation community in the continent.”
The first DEMO Africa event took place in in October last year when 40 startups presented or launched their ideas in front of potential investors and the media.
The organisers believe around US$8 million in investments, business deals and partnerships have been secured since the event.
“We are excited to work with the team at DEMO Africa,” said Tom Jackson, managing editor at HumanIPO.
“With journalists in all the major hubs across the continent, we can reach out to the startups that DEMO Africa has identified and tell their stories to our worldwide readership.”
The 2013 DEMO Africa event will be on October 24 and 25 and the organisers are currently recruiting startups to present.
Jackson added: “It is important to us here at HumanIPO that we tell these stories, and inform the world of a different, more vibrant side to Africa than is portrayed in the more traditional media.”
