Webinar Series
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
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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. |
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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
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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
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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
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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) |
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| 11h40
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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 |
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| 11h55 | The example of Switzerland.
Dr Daniel Gisi, Team Leader Life Science Unit and Member of the Executive Board, Unitectra Basel |
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| 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? |
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| 13h00 | Health break and individual networking | |
| Instruments to strengthen enablers of the innovation ecosystem | ||
| 13h30
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The African Online Academy for Innovation. Dream or Reality? The Example of UNISA.
Mr. Ayanda V. Noma, Director Innovation, Tech Transfer, Innovation |
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| 13h45
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The South African Technology Innovation Agency TIA – The African Outlook.
Ms Senisha Moonsamy, Head Innovation Skills Development, TIA, Pretoria |
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| 14h00
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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) |
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| 14h20
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Rapporteurs (group volunteers) present outcomes to the plenary (5 min. each)
Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 |
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| 14h40 | Listing of preferred instruments and invitation to Launch of instruments at 10th Annual Afrilabs Meeting in Abuja.
Mr Erich Thaler, University of Basel |
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| 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
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Speaker: Zachariah George Leading African Tech Angel Investor; Chief Investment Officer Startupbootcamp Africa; Principal Nedbank Venture Capital; Former Wall Street Investment Banker |
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Moderation: Pauline Koelbl Founder & CEO at AfriProspect GmbH | Founder & Managing Partner at ShEquity | Innovation Expert in Developing and Emerging Markets | Passionate about Innovation, Inclusivity and Female Empowerment |
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?
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Speaker: Dr. Mena Hassan Trade Policy and Trade Facilitation Expert | Author | WTO |
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Speaker: Moataz Helmy Executive Director, Rollo Africa |
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Moderation: Pauline Koelbl Founder & CEO at AfriProspect GmbH | Founder & Managing Partner at ShEquity | Innovation Expert in Developing and Emerging Markets | Passionate about Innovation, Inclusivity and Female Empowerment |
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 |
