Webinars
Jump directly to:
2024: AIT Alumni Webinar Series
2023: Challenges of Growth Webinar Series
Before 2022: Innovation Round Tables and SARECO Series
AIT Alumni Webinars 2024
With over 20 years in international affairs and venture philanthropy, Pauline Koelbl invests in African female-led businesses and connects African innovators with global markets. She has 11+ years of experience supporting SMEs and startups in Africa, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and empowering youth and women.
AIT Alumni Webinar 1
Thursday 04th July 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
Moderator: Ms. Pauline Koelbl
![]()
|
Topic: “Dos and Don’ts in Investor Relations”Pauline Koelbl, Founder and Managing Partner of ShEquity and CEO of AfriProspect, in talks with two eminent investors from Africa who are serial entrepreneurs themselves with a global exposure. Erick Yong, entrepreneur, investor, advisor and African carbon credit expert and Hema Vallabh, engineer, turned entrepreneur, turned investor. A unique opportunity to listen to investors and decision makers on what they are actually looking at while deciding on whom to invest! |
AIT Alumni Webinar 2
Thursday 29th August 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
Moderator: Ms. Pauline Koelbl
![]()
|
Topic: “Team Building/ Handing over the CEO position”Pauline Koelbl, Founder and Managing Partner of ShEquity and CEO of AfriProspect, in talk with Nick Draeger, a scientist, engineer, financial expert, entrepreneur, and business leader with global experience. Skilled in building, financing, and leading projects in various sectors, especially healthcare and nutrition, with rapid learning and decisive action. Excited about creating innovative commercial opportunities across diverse businesses and geographies to achieve results. Nicholas holds a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Natal, a PhD in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, and an MBA from the University of Warwick. |
AIT Alumni Webinar 3
Monday 30th September 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
Moderator: Ms. Pauline Koelbl
![]()
|
Topic: “Product – Market – Fit”Pauline Koelbl, Founder and Managing Partner of ShEquity and CEO of AfriProspect, in talks with Manuel Seiffe, an entrepreneur, renewable energy enthusiast and a dedicated professional with experience in impact investing. He has co-founded MPower Ventures AG, a Zurich based fintech and impact start-up, that partners with local entrepreneurs to finance and distribute clean energy to households and SMEs in emerging markets. |
Final AIT Alumni Webinar
Wednesday 23rd Oktober 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
Moderator: Ms. Pauline Koelbl
This webinar is designed to help innovators and entrepreneurs understand the role of networks and strategic partnerships in unlocking growth opportunities of their businesses. In this session, industry experts and practitioners will share insights on why networking matters, how to build meaningful connections, leverage networks for business success, and form strategic partnerships that drive innovation and expansion. Among other things, you will learn the key strategies for effective networking and building meaningful partnerships and gain practical tips to enhance your entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, you learn why it is important to do your Due Diligence (DD) before you onboard new partners.
|
Topic: Importance of networking and strategic partnershipPauline Koelbl, Founder and Managing Partner of ShEquity and CEO of AfriProspect, in talks with Seja Makoti Kekana, a experienced dealmaker with over 19 years of experience in venture capital, corporate finance, acquisitions, and project finance across various sectors like ICT, manufacturing, and infrastructure and Pascal Koenig, who has spent two decades building startups in digital health. His latest venture, Malaica, aims to improve pregnancy care in lower-income countries, following his success as CEO of Ava, a women’s health company that grew significantly under his leadership and received many awards, incl. “Best Swiss Startup”. |
Webinar Series “Challenges of Growth” 2023 – 2024
In preparation for the upcoming AIT Swiss-Africa Alumni Meeting 2024, the Webinar Series “Challenges of Growth” brought together experts and entrepreneurs to share their insights and experiences. The sessions covered topics crucial for business growth such as building international business visibility, preparing startups for investment and how to make a business resilient.
The webinars also included discussions on investor relations, team building, achieving product-market fit and the importance of networking and strategic partnership. This series served as a platform for supporting network building and knowledge sharing. Participating companies have been equipped with knowledge needed to navigate challenges and gained valuable insights from business peers on how to advance business growth.
Webinar 1
The 21st September will kick-off our webinar series with an input from Dr. Moses Kebalepile, researcher at the Wits School of Clinical Medicine (South Africa) and founder of a medtech company, Asthma Grid, a medical device warning of imminent asthma attacks. Dr Kebalepile will share with us the journey of the related tech development, the creation of first funding streams, challenges that he encountered on his company’s growth path and ways of addressing them.
Thursday 21st September 2023, 14:30 – 15:00 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Dr Moses’ advice to other entrepreneurs in a similar field:
The impact of running a startup on an entrepreneur’s mental health:
Speaker
![]() |
Dr. Moses M. Kebalepile A medical data scientist and research coordinator at the University of the Witwatersrand, in the School of Clinical Medicine. He is also the Founder of a MedTech startup called KTI. Dr Moses graduated with a PhD in Public Health specialising in Computational Epidemiology.His academic research used Artificial Intelligence paradigms (Deep learning, particularly Artificial Neural networks) to study and predict asthma outcomes due to air pollution in the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane. It was the unique algorithm from this doctoral research that he soft computed into a patented medical device called the Asthma Grid. |
Webinar 2
On 5th of October, a webinar with MLaw Mr Stephan A. Hofer will follow and address the important topic of international visibility of companies. How to set up international business infrastructure and to operate from abroad will be the questions that Mr Hofer will address.
Thursday 5th of October 2023, 12:00 – 12:30 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Find out how the Double Tax Agreement works:
What is the Investment Protection Agreement?
Can non-EU entrepreneurs settle in Switzerland?
Speaker
![]() |
MLaw Mr. Stephan A. Hofer A lawyer from Switzerland, admitted to the Swiss and Bern Bar since 2013. Since his admission he worked as a legal practitioner for several companies in the financial sector in Geneva and Basel prior to joining business law firm GHR in 2016, where he was promoted to a partner in 2022. Mr. Hofer provides for legal advice in corporate law for Swiss and international SME’s and particularly focuses on restructurings. Furthermore, he is responsible for the privacy law division in the firm, providing legal advice for Swiss companies with special consideration of GDPR.Mr. Hofer heads the Africa Desk within the firm, wherein he cares to maintain cross-continental relationships with fellow lawyers all across Africa, as well as he is further responsible for relationships with Asian clients as well. Since this year, he is elected co-chair of the League of Lawyers, a network of independent law firms with the goal to connect legal practitioners from Asia and Europe. |
Webinar 3
On 26th of October the third webinar will take place. Mr. Mbuso Ngcongo will talk about his workbook that is entitled “In the Beginning: Literacy, Numeracy and Coding the World”.
Mr Mbuso will share insights in his entrepreneurial journey and engage with entrepreneurs present in feedback discussion on talk and suggestions of how to increase sales.
Thursday 26th of October2023, 13:00 – 13:30 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Speaker
![]() |
Mr. Mbuso Ngcongo
Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of South Africa (UNISA) Founder and CEO of the AIT Startup UMbalabala, an educational toolkit that uses pedagogical methods to advance learning for those at a foundational level of schooling. |
Webinar 4
The fourth webinar will be held on 16th of November. The topic of this webinar will be “How to get your business investor ready?”. Ms. Amne Suedi Kagasheki will give a presentation on this question.
Thursday 16th of November 2023, 13:00 – 13:30 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Speaker
![]() |
Ms. Amne Suedi Kagasheki
A Swiss and Tanzanian international lawyer turned entrepreneur who founded Shikana Group, a legal and investment advisory firm focusing on foreign investments in Africa. Her company, based in Switzerland and Tanzania, collaborates with entrepreneurs, international companies, and financial institutions investing in East Africa. In 2023, she founded BintiBiz, an education technology company supporting female entrepreneurs in Africa through online courses and mentoring. Ms. Suedi, fluent in French, English, and Kiswahili, has a background in finance and banking and has worked with notable companies, receiving awards like TOP 100 Executive List 2022 and TOP 50 Women in Management in Africa 2023. |
Webinar 5
The fifth webinar will be held on Friday 23th of February. The topic of this webinar will be „How to make your business resilient and how can digital tools help you with this task?“. Mr Dieter Puganigg will give a presentation on the topic “Resilience and Digitization”.
Friday 23th of February 2024, 12:30 – 13:30 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Speaker
![]() |
Mr Dieter Puganigg
Dieter Puganigg, MSc, is an Executive Consultant and Academic Lecturer specializing in Digital Transformation, Resilience, and Sustainability. He is the founder and CEO of Digiwise e.U. in Vienna, where he leverages 25 years of international corporate leadership experience, notably in IT at HPE, services at Microsoft Corporation, and FMCG at Nestlé Nespresso S.A., with a focus on B2B. In academia, Dieter serves as an Academic Lecturer covering Digital Transformation, E-Strategy, Customer Loyalty, Leadership, Resilience and Sustainability. He also heads a Diploma Program in E-Commerce Management. Dieter holds an MSc in Digital Business from the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Vienna and is committed to continuous learning in the dynamic digital landscape. He is a Certified Digital Consultant (ISO 17024), reflecting his dedication to industry excellence. |
Guidelines to develop a resilient organization
Organizational Resilience
Attributes from ISO 22316:
- Resilient leadership
- Knowledge and information
- Resources
- Organizational development
- Designing the future
- Business purpose
- Corporate environment
Business Resilience
Components of a strong business model:
- Market attractiveness
- Customer loyalty
- Scalability
- Cross-selling / Up-selling potential
- Profitability
- Xaas (“Anything” as a service)
- Entry barriers
What to do now for your own business? Describe, understand, measure and develop resilience!
Webinar 6
The sixth webinar will be held on 16th of May. The topic of this webinar will be “How to fund Swiss-African business collaboration”. Ms. Susanne Grossmann from SECO Start-up Fund will give a presentation on this interesting topic.
Thursday 16th May 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
Speaker
![]() |
Ms. Susanne Grossmann
Susanne Grossmann brings a multi-year expertise in private sector finance in emerging markets with a focus on private equity and lending to small- and mid-sized businesses (SMEs). Before joining the SSF Susanne worked 10 years in Swiss development cooperation, followed by several years in the private sector, where she was involved in social projects and impact investing in emerging markets. From 2011-2023 Susanne served on the Board and IC of the Swiss Development Finance Institution SIFEM (Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets). She has also been active as jury and board member in the impact investing space. Susanne holds a Master’s Degree in History and Economics from the University of Zurich and a Post Graduate Degree in European Integration from the University of Basel. |
Webinar 7
Thursday 06th June 2024, 11:00 – 12:00 CEST
Moderator: Mr. Erich Thaler
![]()
|
SWISS SOUTH AFRICA WEBINARHosted by: Swiss Academy of Sciences Switzerland (SCNAT) Co-Funding Success & Partnership – 10+ years of collaboration in research and |
Webinars until 2022
SASBI Knowledge Group Meeting #2
Looking Outside Academia – The challenge of convincing the market
This event is part of:
SASBI – Swiss African Science and Business Innovators Program
The SASBI Regional Knowledge Group Meetings serve to intensify dialogue among stakeholders of the tech transfer and start-up promotion ecosystem. Every six weeks, one of the five countries present in this group (Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa) will present challenges and good practices and open up the discussion for joint reflection and comment.
Date
Wednesday 27. October 2021, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST
Speakers
![]() |
Dr. Theophile Niyonzima Dr. Theophile Niyonzima, from the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Rwanda (UR), will introduce the Innovation sub-program of the UR – Sweden Program, talk about its beginnings, achievements and challenges, the benefits today as students and staff experience it as well as about the impact on the overall start-up ecosystem. |
![]() |
Mr Jordi Montserrat For the past 20 years, Jordi has been active in the vibrant Swiss high-tech scene, contributing to the development of innovative businesses and stimulating the Swiss start-up ecosystem. He currently heads Venturelab Ldt, a Company supporting world class entrepreneurs and startups on their path to build successful ventures and fund raising, and is co-managing director of Venture Kick – a financing initiative supported by private donors. He also acts as business angel and board member in start-ups. |
Moderator
![]() |
Dr. Norah Clarke Program Director of EDHE, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at Universities South Africa https://edhe.co.za/edhe-lekgotla-2021/ |
Agenda
15:00 | Words of Welcome and Introduction (Erich Thaler) |
15:02 | Introducing topic and Speakers (Dr Norah Clarke) |
15:10 | Dr Theophile Nyonzima, the Swedish-Rwandese program |
15:30 | Mr Jordi Montserrat, the VentureKick Program |
15:50 | Learnings from the two programs presented (Dr Theophile Nyonzima, Mr Jordi Montserrat) |
16:00 | Discussion with the Plenary (Dr Norah Clarke) |
16:10 | Summary of discussion (Dr Norah Clarke) |
16:15 | Next steps for the SASBI program and Announcement of first on-site SASBI Knowledge Group Meeting (Erich Thaler) |
16:30 | Words of Good-bye, End of Webinar |
SASBI Knowledge Group Meeting #1 | Published on: 29. July 2021
SASBI Knowledge Group Meeting #1
Sustainable use of solar-powered drinking water treatment systems – examples for interaction among students in Africa and Switzerland.
This event is part of:
SASBI – Swiss African Science and Business Innovators Program
The SASBI Regional Knowledge Group Meetings serve to intensify dialogue among stakeholders of the tech transfer and start-up promotion ecosystem. Every six weeks, one of the five countries present in this group (Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa) will present challenges and good practices and open up the discussion for joint reflection and comment.
Date
Wed 15th September 2021 / 13:00 – 14:00 CEST
Speaker
![]() |
Prof. Christof Biba Professor for Electric Solar Technology and Head of the Photovoltaics System Technology at SPF, the Institute for Solar Technology in Rapperswil, Eastern Switzerland (Canton of St. Gallen) https://eeublog.hsr.ch/dozentenportrait-prof-christof-biba |
Moderator
![]() |
Dr. Norah Clarke Program Director of EDHE, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at Universities South Africa https://edhe.co.za/edhe-lekgotla-2021/ |
Agenda
13:00 – 13:05 | Introduction to SASBI Regional Knowledge Group Meetings (Erich Thaler) |
13:05 – 13:35 | Presentation Prof. Christof Biba: Sustainable use of solar-powered drinking water treatment systems – examples for interaction among students in Africa and Switzerland. This presentation will focus on the interaction among students and the opportunities that arise out of these interactions for later employment, including the creation of start-ups. Focus countries will be Liberia and South Africa. |
13:35 – 13:45 | Discussion moderated by Dr. Norah Clarke |
13:45 – 13:58 | Discussion open to the plenary |
13:58 – 14:00 | Summarizing and Words of Good-Bye (E. Thaler) |
SASBI Directors’ Innovation Round Table | Published on: 28. June 2021
SASBI Directors’ Innovation Round Table
Cooperation between Switzerland and Africa continues into 2021 – 24.
On 30th of June, the Directors’ Roundtable on Innovation will kick-start this new phase by bringing together stakeholders from Tech Transfer and Innovation Offices. Under the name of SASBI, the Swiss African Science and Business Innovators Program, joint activities will be launched and a greater understanding is targeted of each other’s know-how transfer ecosystem. This program is part of the Swiss-African Academia – Industry Training (Sensitization Phase) financed by the Swiss Ministry for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
The SASBI LinkedIn Account offers the platform to connect to likeminded people. All major information will be made available on sareco.org
Agenda
10h45
11h00 |
Arrival of participants; Logging in
Welcome by Host Mr. Erich Thaler, University of Basel/ National and Int. Cooperation Ms Pauline Koelbl, CEO, AfriProspect |
|
11h05 | Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Amb. Mr Pietro Mona
Swiss Ambassador to Djibouti and Permanent Representative (designate) to the African Union, IGAD and UNECA |
|
Linking Universities to Market and Society | ||
11h10
11h25 |
The example of EDHE – Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education in South Africa.
Dr Norah Clarke, Program Director The example of Nigeria. Prof. Dr. Oyedunni Arulogun, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Ibadan School of Business (UISB) |
|
11h40
|
The example of AfriLabs’ support systems in Nigeria and Ghana.
Mr Charles Emembolu, Co-Founder/Director, Roar Nigeria Hub, University of Nigeria Nsukka Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, Chairman/CEO, Areas of Innovation, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria Mr Eric Anthony Vurinye Kavaarpuo, Director Innovation, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana |
|
11h55 | The example of Switzerland.
Dr Daniel Gisi, Team Leader Life Science Unit and Member of the Executive Board, Unitectra Basel |
|
12h10 | Short health break | |
12h15 | Round Table: Presenters and Moderator, Ms Pauline Koelbl
What’s working and what’s not working? How to get the best out of different systems? How to address challenges jointly? What and how can others learn from experiences shared? |
|
13h00 | Health break and individual networking | |
Instruments to strengthen enablers of the innovation ecosystem | ||
13h30
|
The African Online Academy for Innovation. Dream or Reality? The Example of UNISA.
Mr. Ayanda V. Noma, Director Innovation, Tech Transfer, Innovation |
|
13h45
|
The South African Technology Innovation Agency TIA – The African Outlook.
Ms Senisha Moonsamy, Head Innovation Skills Development, TIA, Pretoria |
|
14h00
|
Break-out rooms 1 – 3
Discussion: Instruments to foster entrepreneurship education and transfer to market and society. Room 1: Connectivity (Moderator: Pauline Koelbl) Room 2: Online Academy (Moderator: Erich Thaler) Room 3: Residency Program (Moderator: Jacquelene Friedenthal) |
|
14h20
|
Rapporteurs (group volunteers) present outcomes to the plenary (5 min. each)
Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 |
|
14h40 | Listing of preferred instruments and invitation to Launch of instruments at 10th Annual Afrilabs Meeting in Abuja.
Mr Erich Thaler, University of Basel |
|
14h55 | Final remarks | |
15h00 | End of Workshop |
2021 SABII and SSABDP Webinar Series | Published on: 21. March 2021
2021 SABII and SSABDP Webinar Series
Participating in these webinars shall assist start-ups in bridging their current status of company development and link up to their start-ups’ ecosystems.
Participation is restricted to alumni of the Swiss – African Business and Innovation Initiative SABII or the Swiss – South African Business Development Program SSABDP. Registration invitations will be sent directly via mail.
Webinar 1
Wed 31st of March, 11h00 CEST
Focus: Journey of the innovator from Concept, Research to MVP – embedded in the African context.
Topic: Innovator’s journey: From idea to market
Webinar 2
Wed 28th of April, 11h00 CEST
Focus: Growing and gaining market traction – African focus and Peer-2-Peer Learning.
Topic: Market Growth & Market Traction – Business Validation
Webinar 3
Tue 25th of May, 11h00 CEST
Focus: Growing and scaling businesses across Africa
Topic: AfCFTA: Opportunities for scaling your biz.
This webinar will explore the following: What role does the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) play for start-ups? How can entrepreneurs and investors benefit from a unified Africa of 1bn+ potential customers? How does this larger framework change the fundraising perspective? How can regulatory questions be addressed?
2020 Webinar: Covid Support | Published on: 28. July 2020
2020 Webinar: Covid Support
Support for Swiss and African Science-based Start-Ups in Times of COVID-19
Date and Time | Tue, 16th June 2020, 14:00-14:30 CEST |
The Swiss – African Business Development and Research Cooperation (SARECO) launchex its first webinar on Tue 16th of June. With the focus on COVID-19 Alfredo Cuanda from Idéario Hub and Jordi Montserrat from Venturelab addressed the challenges that science-based entrepreneurs are confronted with today and share their personal approaches to move forward one’s own business. The SARECO program is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Research, Education and Innovation (SERI). Afrilabs is the partner in Africa for implementing and growing the Swiss – African business development program.
Download the Slides here (PDF, 2Mb)
Program and Speakers
Introduction | Erich Thaler (Host) – Desk for Networks and Global Partnerships, University of Basel |
14:00 – 14:10 | Jordi Montserrat – Venturelab Opportunities and challenges in the post COVID support and funding ecosystem for startups and early entrepreneurs, in particular in Switzerland |
14:10 – 14:20 | Alfredo Cuanda – Idéario Hub/Afrilabs Rethinking about Asset-Light Business Models and Strategies for the “Business-as-Unusual” Economy in the post COVID, particularly in African markets. |
14:20 – 14:30 | Q&A-Session |