speakers

SA Innovation Summit: CEO

Buntu Majaja

CEO at the SA Innovation Summit. A Chemical Engineer (UP) turned social entrepreneur. After a stint in management and innovation consulting, he worked with grassroot entrepreneurs setting up their businesses. He later co-founded a SaaS online exchange between Japanese investors and African Entrepreneurs which he left and set up a Data-tech start-up that later closed.

He published the book: How to start a business in 90 days. He is a data science enthusiast and property investor. He also hosts the Ubuntu Dreams Podcast – Your Voice of Africa Rising.

Majaja holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GIBS) and a Master of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (Wits Business School).

Buntu dreams of touching millions of African entrepreneurs. He believes that education and entrepreneurship are the keys to Africa’s productivity and inventiveness which will unlock its innovation.

ThoughtLab: CEO and Founder

James Scott

James, with 24 years in digital transformation and banking, served as Chief Digital Officer at Absa Corporate and Investment Bank, leading the disentanglement of Absa and Barclays Plc across Africa. In 2021, he founded ThoughtLab and Hive Ventures, focusing on digital impact and tech-forward startups. By 2023, he expanded ThoughtLab to include ThoughtLab Technologies and ThoughtLab Ventures, addressing niche client needs. His experience spans the UK, Ireland, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, covering sales, business technology, client solutions, and product design.

Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub: CEO

Commissioner Joseph Ndaba

Founder of Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub and appointed Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Commissioner) under the leadership of President Ramaphosa, an expert in delivering professional and innovative training interventions. A qualified Assessor and Facilitator, my passion for IT has acquired great work ethics and business experience in both the big corporate and SMME enviroments.

City of Cape Town: Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security

Alderman JP Smith

Alderman Jean-Pierre Smith was born on 13 July, 1971. He attended Micro Primary School and matriculated at De Kuilen High School, both in Kuilsriver, Cape Town. He continued his studies at Stellenbosch University where he achieved a BA degree in English.

In addition to serving as the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, he is also a Proportional Councillor assigned to Langa and serves on the Provincial Executive of the Democratic Alliance (DA). He previously served as the ward councillor for Ward 58 (Atlantic Seaboard).

Ald Smith served on the board of an NGO working with street children and worked with a variety of NGOs that assist homeless children and adults, including the Western Cape Street Children’s Forum and the Central Street People’s Forum (which he chaired for two years). He started the Atlantic Seaboard Refugees Association and the Atlantic Seaboard Domestic Workers’ Association and served on the Civilian Oversight Committee of the Cape Town Metro Police.

He previously taught English abroad and conducted computer software research and development. His interests include paragliding, kayaking, politics, reading, IT and gadgets of all descriptions, science and technology, organized electronic sports and computer network gaming, cinema, table-top, simulation and board games, animals, travelling and exploring the diversity of people and cultures.

Mukuru: Chief Information Officer

Sandy Rheeder

Sandy Rheeder is the Chief Information Officer at Mukuru, one of the largest money transfer providers in Africa and a leading next generation fintech platform. She joined the company just over 5 years ago after 16 years in IT consulting for a wide range of Financial Services companies. Sandy graduated from Rhodes University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business Science (Hons) Information Systems. She started her consulting career as a business analyst, understanding how systems can really help or hinder an end user. Before joining Mukuru, she was helping companies translate business goals into IT strategy.

Sandy also has experience in making agile work in large organisations, in managing large delivery teams, and as a specialist facilitator for both strategic and design level discussions. She is passionate about creating technology solutions that really meet customer’s needs; creating simplicity in a usually complicated tech world. Mukuru is a company that embodies this thinking in an African context, providing an essential service for so many people on our continent to send money back home to their loved ones. Sandy is excited to be part of Mukuru’s ongoing journey to use technology as an enabler for innovation and problem-solving.

Technology Innovation Agency: Acting CEO

Patrick Krappie

Patrick Krappie is the Acting CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency, having served in various senior management and executive roles in the agency. Mr. Krappie has a strong management background, having held senior positions in government institutions specialising in economic policy and negotiations. He holds an Honours degree in economics and has vast international working experience in England and Switzerland serving as a diplomat for 8 years representing South Africa as a negotiator in the World Trade Organisation, World Intellectual Property Organisation, and the United Nation Conference for Trade and Development. He was involved in the establishment of the TIA, facilitating the merger of seven entities of the Department of Science and Innovation.

Xion Global: COO & Co-founder

Aeryn Quarmby

Aeryn Quarmby is a seasoned veteran in blockchain payment orchestration, operations, partnerships and dabbles in solidity contract development amongst other well known programming languages.

Sensory Intelligence® Consulting Pty Ltd: CEO/Founder

Dr Annemarie Lombard

Dr. Annemarie Lombard is the Founder and CEO of Sensory Intelligence® Consulting, with over 33 years of experience in people development and learning. She holds a PhD in Occupational Therapy from the University of Cape Town and practiced as an occupational therapist for 15 years, focusing on neurodiverse children with special needs. As a thought leader in sensory processing, she authored “Sensory Intelligence: Why It Matters More Than IQ and EQ” and is a frequent speaker at conferences. Her company, established in 2003, applies neuroscience to develop practical tools for leaders, teams, and healthcare professionals globally. Annemarie lives in Cape Town with her family.

rather.chat:CEO

Jonathan Elcock

Jonathan Elcock is an accomplished entrepreneur with a background in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT). His journey into the world of startups began with Zestlife, where he gained invaluable experience. As a pivotal member of the founding team at MiWayLife, Jonathan led the sales division, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and success.

In 2017, Jonathan Elcock co-founded CompariSure with Matthew Kloos, a venture that later evolved into rather.chat in 2023 under his leadership. His innovative spirit and dedication to leveraging technology for consumer empowerment continue to drive his success in the dynamic landscape of digital business solutions.

The Open Letter: Founder

Renier Kriel

With over 15 years of experience in tech entrepreneurship, I’ve empowered startups and established organizations with innovative strategies. At 24, I founded a software agency in Stellenbosch, South Africa, growing it to 50+ employees and then exited. I then lead a top local incubator, mentoring 25+ startups. Now, I am building The Open Letter, a platform that is connecting the fragmented startup space in SA as well as content services business called Stream.

Precium: COO

Nicole Dunn

Nicole Dunn is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Precium, the first African payment platform purpose-built for enterprise.

The company helps businesses optimise payment performance, automate financial operations, and craft extraordinary customer experiences through its modular payment platform.

Before Precium, Nicole spent 5+ years building and advising businesses – first at Elixirr, a global challenger consultancy, and then Founders Factory Africa, a pan-African venture builder and investor. She has worked with 60+ startups across the continent and continues to support selected founders as an angel investor and advisor.

Snail Attorneys At Law Inc: Director

Prof Sizwe Snail

Sizwe Lindelo Snail ka Mtuze is an attorney with extensive experience in cyberlaw. He holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria, an LLM from the University of South Africa, and is pursuing an LLD at the University of Fort Hare. Since 2010, he has practiced at Snail Attorneys at Law and served as an adjunct professor at Nelson Mandela University. His roles include research fellow, lecturer, and postgraduate supervisor. Sizwe has also been involved in various national committees, and advisory roles, and is a published author in the field of internet law.

The Delta: Ecosystem Manager and Delta Apex Head

Stefni Bridges

Stefni is the Ecosystem Manager and Head of the Delta Apex Investor Club, where she oversees the group’s global investor network. She has been a driving force at The Delta, playing a crucial role in building a dynamic ecosystem that connects European and African ventures with a powerful network of advisors, angel investors, and venture capitalists. This approach has been key to accelerating the growth and success of numerous early-stage startups.

Aruna AI: CEO

Chiraag Gokaldas

Chiraag holds a Masters degree in Engineering from the University of Twente (NL) and has held various technical and managerial positions in the power sector. He has experience in R&D and commercialization of new technologies including coal gasification technologies and small modular nuclear reactors. With deep knowledge of the oil & gas and power sectors, Chiraag is actively working on AI driven climate change solutions.

Specno: Group CEO

Daniel Novitzkas

Daniel Novitzkas is a key figure in digital innovation and app development in South Africa, leading Specno, a top app development and digital innovation agency, for six years. His work focuses on creating impactful digital solutions that expand business operations nationally and internationally. Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, Daniel aims to position African companies at the forefront of the AI revolution, fostering job creation and enhancing leadership skills. His dedication and visionary approach inspire many in the tech industry.

Havaic: Partner

Kiara Suttner-Tromp

Kiara is an astute, results-driven, big-picture thinker. Her family history of entrepreneurship has taught her to challenge the status quo and take the road less travelled. As a qualified CA and CFA with over a decade of experience in unlisted investments, Kiara brings critical thinking and financial expertise to the HAVAÍC team and its portfolio companies. In addition to leveraging her extensive experience in financial analysis, as well as structuring and managing investments, Kiara is committed to creating sustainable, inclusive, and purposeful impact.

Holocene: Head of Investments

Duval Van Zijl

Duval is the Head of Investments at Holocene, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on climate tech in Africa. Previous to his role at Holocene he worked in venture investing, investment banking, and financial advisory for companies in South Africa, UK, and the Netherlands.

Holocene: Ventures Principal

Abby Stern

A global food industry innovation, health and sustainability expert, helping companies grow in scale and impact. Passionate about unlocking true human potential through empathy, connection and purpose to build a more vibrant world.

RIIS

Vishaylin Mahadeo

Welcome Tomorrow: Creative Strategist

Izak Theron

I’m a Creative Strategist, which means I infuse data into creativity to build relevant messages driving users to adopt a product.

Over the last few years, I’ve been focused on helping Africa’s more ambitious brands to grow through the power of data-driven creativity. Excellent creatives drive down cost per acquisition and increase user retention for products.

I believe that AI unlocks the original intent of digital marketing, which is hyper personalisation at scale.
In recent years, I have built advanced, AI-powered processes that enable us at Welcome Tomorrow to drive down creative production time by 50% and build up to 100 different messages to test in a day. This has led us to impressive results making online growth more sustainable for our clients.

Be Brave: Founder

Pierre du Plessis

Fetola South Africa: Founder and CEO

Catherine Wijnberg

Catherine Wijnberg is a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for Africa and the planet with a particular passion for effecting impact at the ecosystem level.

Born in Zambia, she has two degrees in Agriculture, an MBA, and more than 30 years of business growth experience having created enterprises in 5 different sectors across 3 countries.

She founded Fetola in 2006, a leading provider of world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs, building businesses that last by designing scalable solutions that ensure social, environmental and economic impact.

Through their national business accelerators Fetola builds sustainable, empowered and thriving small and medium enterprises at scale. These entrepreneurs grow the economy, create inclusive wealth and generate jobs creating lasting anchors in the local economy, 87% of whom are still in business ten years later – which is 9 times the national average.

A thought leader on small business development, sustainability and circularity, Catherine was listed amongst the first ever Forbes Africa 50 Over 50 women in business, a spotlight on Africa’s female powerhouses who are inspiring the next generation.

Injini: Venture Scale Lead

Gigi Ngcobo

Gigi Ngcobo, is the Venture Scale Lead at Injini and one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2023. Passionate about innovation and technology, Gigi has over five years of experience in venture capital in the US and as a venture builder and accelerator in South Africa. At Injini, she helps EdTech startup founders scale their businesses, aiming to expand access to quality education for children across Africa.

Her entrepreneurial journey began at 16 when she founded an NGO focused on teaching ethical leadership in underprivileged communities. While studying at the African Leadership Academy, Gigi founded a company advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Gigi was a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Michigan State University, where she launched the MSU African Business Symposium to explore innovation and venture capital in Africa.

Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub: CEO

Darryl Dennis

Darryl Dennis, with over 28 years of experience in IT, is the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub. His background includes a legal education from Nelson Mandela University and management training from Manchester and Stellenbosch Universities. As CEO since 2020, Darryl has expanded the Hub by opening new centers in township economies and strengthening its role in incubation and acceleration, supporting startups, and building partnerships with governmental and academic entities. He also holds board positions with several tech councils and was the former National Chairperson of the Black Information Technology Forum, advocating for Black IT professionals.

AIfE (African Institute for Entrepreneurship): Executive Director

Tamiko Sher

Tamiko Sher is a co-founder and Executive Director of AIfE with more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship and consulting. She initiated and project multiple research projects in drone tech, fintech, health tech, and various other research publications and thought leadership discussions. Tamiko has presented at the SA Innovation Summit on various research papers developed by AIfE to assist entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities in new technologies.

Open Access Energy: CEO

Gerjo Hoffman

Gerjo Hoffman is the CEO of Open Access Energy, a leading software company in South Africa’s renewable energy sector. With experience across multiple industries, he has developed innovative solutions like Amptera and Energypro, tools for efficient energy management and project optimisation. His leadership has positioned the team at Open Access Energy as a trusted name in the industry.

ShazaCin Accessible Media: Managing Director

Shakila Maharaj

Shakila’s remarkable and diverse accomplishments can be described as contributing towards
creating an inclusive society. Shakila social entrepreneur, innovator, recognised global disability
strategist and trainer, member of the Presidential Working Group on Disability is a Masters graduate
of Columbia University New York, USA and a registered Organisational Psychologist. Shakila says “whenever I come across something that liberates me as a blind person, I want to share it.” She says
“An equally important part of my life is being a mother to my son Prashant and a home maker.” She has pioneered in SA access to books for persons with print disabilities through the promotion of alternate reading formats and is the founder and MD of DAISY SA (Digital Accessible Information Systems South Africa) which is part of the global non-profit International DAISY Consortium. Shakila designed the prototype and manufactured the first Braille voting template for the IEC used in SA national elections, enabling visually impaired persons to vote independently.

She introduced the Indian SmartCane to SA visually impaired white cane users to enhance safe and
independent mobility. Shakila founded and chaired the Inclusive Tourism Forum, trained tour operators in accessible tourism, created the first access guide for the city of Durban and served on the Board of Directors for the KZN Tourism Authority and the KZN Sharks Board. In addition, she has held several office
bearer positions over the years on the boards of corporate and non-profit organisations. In her global consultancy Disability Management Services, Shakila’s disability rights enforcement through her research, training, strategies and policies developed for corporate and government locally and internationally has brought her several esteemed awards and recognition from the disability, private and public sectors which acknowledge her contribution to business, the arts and society.

She pioneered audio description for 12 years and established AudioDescribe (Pty) Ltd in 2010 and in
2020 the sister company ShazaCin Accessible Media (. A first in the country and continent) with the
aim to bring young blood, transfer skills and shift audio description to the digital space. Shakila’s
aspiration for blind persons to see the visual world resulted   in the creation of the ShazaCin mobile
app named “describeAT” and which is available on the google play store.

She has exposed thousands through her Audio Description Movie Club and trained over 200 disabled
and non-disabled persons in audio description, (including in isiZulu) and also conducts the blind
verification and quality control on current ShazaCin AD projects. She has received the Sabella Award
from the Durban International Film Festival for her contribution to inclusion in South African film.
Shakila is the MD and Business Development Lead at ShazaCin Accessible Media. The ShazaCin app
to date has received awards from SmartXchange 2020, Technology Innovation Agency TIA 2020,
Small Enterprise Development Agency SEFA 2020, SA Brewery Foundation SABF, Social Disability
Innovation award 2021, The Irish Tech Challenge SA 2022, TIA Tourism Innovation Programme
TGIIP2022, Durban Tourism 2023 and the AFD Digital Challenge (French Development Agency) 2023.

Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism: Senior Manager: Knowledge Economy Support

Rodwyn Grewan

Having left South Africa in the early 1960’s, Rod earned his primary education in Zambia, his secondary education in England and Iran, and finally graduated in the USA. His tertiary education included academic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jackson State University and ultimately with a Post-Grad in Knowledge and Information Systems Management from Stellenbosch University. He is a dedicated and accomplished Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) practitioner, with extensive experience in driving strategic initiatives for the development of the Information Society (IS) and Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE), which included the South African Information Technology Industry Strategy, the South African Information Society and Development Plan and the Provincial Information Society Strategy in the Republic of South Africa. Today he serves in the Northern Cape Provincial Government, Department of Economic Development and Tourism as the Senior Manager for Knowledge Economy Support.

JSE Private Placements: Head of Sales and Business Development

Preshan Govinder

Experienced fintech & financial markets professional. His career has spans several years at Refinitiv and FIS were he lead their private equity business in sub Saharan Africa and Israel. In his current role at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, he leads the sales and business development effort of their Private Markets business with the mandate of helping to build on the JSE’s ability to raise capital for non-listed entities. The vision of JSE Private Placements is to be the most effective way for private companies to raise and manage investments on the African continent. They aim to connect Issuers and Advisors with Investors and Distributors

Injini: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learnings Head

Alexei McGregor

Alexei McGregor holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town (UCT), where her 2016 dissertation examined the impact of disability on labor market participation in South Africa. She has since worked in the enterprise development space, specialising in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), In early 2023, Alexei joined the Injini EdTech Accelerator and Think Tank, where she transitioned her focus to educational technology (EdTech) and continues to drive impactful research and analysis focused in the sector

Public Investment Corporation: Associate Fund Principal

Julian Mixon

Julian Mixon is a finance and investment professional with more than 19 years’ experience across diverse sectors like Financial Services, Technology, M&A and Venture Capital. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He currently works as an Associate Fund Principal at the Public Investment Corporation as part of the Early-Stage Fund team and prior to that worked at Naspers Foundry. He started his career at Microsoft South Africa as a Trainee Accountant where he did his TOPP Articles.

He has a B.Com Accounting degree and a Honours Financial Management degree from the University from Johannesburg as well as a Honours Accounting degree (CTA) from UNISA.

Rorschach Innovation Services: CTO

Carlton Ndhlovu

Carlton Ndhlovu is a CTO and entrepreneur collaborating with Kai Goodall on a groundbreaking GENAI project. He is committed to harnessing advanced technology to drive business growth and innovation, ensuring solutions are both cutting-edge and practical. Recently, the two entrepreneurs secured a contract with a sports franchise to deploy an AI solution across the region.

Espere: Managing Director, Writer and Global Keynote Speaker

Ida Kymmer

Ida is a global keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator. She has spoken at world-renowned events such as the World Economic Forum, SXSW, Gitex, TechBBQ, Deloitte Innovation Day, Next in Vogue and many more (link to Keynote & Talks tab). With a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies, Ida is well endowed to be publishing Tech for War and Peace – the weekly newsletter covering current news relating to tech in contexts of war and peace. Ida’s special interests include: Innovation, Emerging Technologies, Sustainability, Disinformation, Creativity, Global Inclusion, Defence and Peace Building. Ida has lived in eight countries and speaks five languages, including Swedish, Korean, English, German, Serbian-Croatian.

Ida’s Extensive Experience in Creative Technologies:

Ida is currently involved in several projects.
She is a Partner at Flow, a digital production studio, the Managing Director of Espere, an international business development consultancy and a consultant advisor for numerous companies across the creative industries of tech, fashion, and art.

From 2021 to 2023, Ida acted as the Director of Global Affairs for Journee, collaborating with brands such as BMW, H&M, Clinique, and Shiseido to create the future of immersive web and immersive commerce.

Previous to that, Ida collaborated with Dexter Studios in South Korea (link?) to develop the 3D interior screens for the SLS Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

She has also worked with 3D musicals and early VR applications of architectural renderings.

University of Cape Town: Senior Lecturer

Paul Amayo

Paul Amayo is a researcher and technology enthusiast with broad experience in both hardware and software development over various sectors (from self-driving cars in the UK to agricultural robotics in South Africa). Paul is currently a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator of the Spatial Intelligence Lab at the University of Cape Town, a lab whose interest is in investigating the fundamental techno-social questions that impede the adoption of robotics in the African context. He is an alumnus of the Oxford Robotics Institute, where he obtained his DPhil and undertook research into accurate, robust and fast computer vision methods for extracting geometric models of the environment from robots and their associated sensors.

CAPACITI - UVU Africa: Head of Career Education

Kelly Maroon

Kelly has been in the educational industry for over a decade; working across higher education and informal educational sectors with a keen passion for people development and the practical implementation of the philosophies and best practices of education. Currently the Head of Career Education at CAPACITI Tech Skills Accelerator as a part of the UVU Africa NPC, Kelly oversees the delivery of fit-for-purpose skills development, workforce acquisition and talent development that aims to get previously unemployed youth of South Africa into catalytic career and employment opportunities in the tech sector.

Previously, Kelly was the Head of Learning and Development for a large-scale private educational holding company, after completing a tenure of being the Academic Head for a PHEI in the creative arts field. Kelly has designed higher education programmes, reviewed and contributed to programme redevelopment and has participated in numerous think tanks on education, quality and accreditation and importantly, disability and inclusion in learning. Whilst pursuing her Masters in Adult Education, Kelly found her passion and purpose in people development, staff development and meaningful engagement in teaching and learning initiatives that draw out the very strengths in those responsible for developing young people.

With experience in educational technology solutions building, bridging digital divides and international open learning initiatives, Kelly has set her sights on developing a scalable methodology of talent development that sees people at the epicenter of change, transformation and life-long growth. Kelly has also been a facilitator for the international Open Learning Network initiative supported by Karlstad and Lund Universities and was the Chief Youth Liaison for the Journal of African Youth Literature.

Sakon Semiconductors & Rorschach Innovation Services: Co-founder at Sakon Semiconductors & AI Engineer at Rorschach Innovation Services

Kai Goodall

Kai Goodall is a co-founder of Sakon Semiconductor, a deep tech startup aiming to develop Wi-Fi HaLow chips to enhance IoT connectivity in Africa and beyond. He is currently working at Rorschach Innovation Services (RIS), where he is driving AI and Computer Vision capabilities in high-performance sport analytics with RIS’s Medicoach platform.

Knife Capital: Partner

Catherine Young

Catherine Young is an entrepreneur and investor with a deep passion for unlocking the potential of fellow entrepreneurs. With a successful corporate career that includes senior and executive roles at Shoprite/Checkers, Deloitte, Chevron, and SAP Ariba, Catherine has gained invaluable insights into what it takes to thrive in the business world. This experience has been instrumental in shaping her journey as an entrepreneur and investor, enabling her to recognise and cultivate the qualities that lead to business success.

She is the founder of Thinkroom and Managing Partner of Grindstone Accelerator and Grindstone Ventures, where she plays a critical role in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems globally, with experience in Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the UK. She is also a Partner at Knife Capital, where she contributes to the asset class of venture capital in Africa, focusing on high-potential startups and growing them toward successful exits. Her work spans a diverse range of entrepreneurial programs, both tech and non-tech, through Thinkroom, and she is deeply involved in supporting growth-stage businesses via Grindstone and its post-seed, pre-series A fund, Grindstone Ventures. At Knife Capital she partners in contributing to boards and investment committees, and growing portfolio companies with the rest of the team to ready them for exit. With a keen understanding of the challenges faced by startups and small business owners, Catherine’s ability to lead, build, and grow businesses is rooted in her profound connection with others and love for growing people and teams. She recharges through reading, poetry, the ocean, walking, and birdwatching, and is content when solving problems and innovating new ways of doing things.

As a renowned authority on entrepreneurship, start-up training, and ecosystem development, Catherine is also a public speaker and thought leader in the industry. She shares her insights with others through keynote presentations, workshop facilitation, and by chairing ecosystem events.

Aerobotics: Head of Marketing

Jessica Davies

GENAI: Lead Researcher & Digital Facilitator

Vinnie Mzolisa

Vinnie is the Lead Researcher for the AIfE GENAI for non-tech entrepreneurs and youth project. He conducts research and works as AIfE’s Digital Facilitator. Vinnie is a passionate entrepreneur and self-starter who loves learning new tech and is constantly teaches himself. He has developed AI and ML tools that the NGO uses in its research work

Female Founders Initiative Global & Neeps Accounting Services (UAE and RSA): Founder&President / Founder&MD

Rosheen Ngorima

Rosheen Ngorima is a Seasoned Professional Accountant by qualification and an award- winning entrepreneur predominantly based in Dubai and South Africa

She is a Forbes Business Council Member
Founder of Neeps Accounting Services
Founder of Female Founders Initiative Global
CoFounder of Melwil Logistics, a company that handles procurement for government entities and private sector.
She is a Co-Founder of Nutrir Foods which is a herbal supplements company that she started with her husband who is a scientist

UNWOMEN Business Mentor for Europe and Central Asia and Member of Dubai Business Women Council

On her journey to entrepreneurship, she noted a HUGE gap in support services especially for female entrepreneurs, being the problem solver she is, sho founded the fastest growing organization for female entrepreneurs in Global called Female Founders’ Initiative Global (FFIG) an organization for female founders offering a platform where aspiring and established entrepreneurs can receive support, guidance, and funding opportunities for their startups.

The organization’s tagline, is: “We don’t compete, we collaborate!” encouraging women to collaborate and assist each other grow in business. Throughout her career she had gained vast experience in various sectors such as retail. Telecommunications, legal, and e-commerce just to name a few. She lives by simple mantra, “people are currency, invest in creating networks

• Rosheen Ngorima has received the following awards:
• 2020 | Business Finance Leader of the Year- She Awards, Dubai.
• 2021 | Best Full-Service Bookkeeping & VAT Services Company, UAE MEA Markets 2020 | Best Brand of the Year-Women World Wide Do Dubel.
• 2022 Top 50 Women in Management Awards in Africa
• 2023 | Professional Service Provider of the Year by Entrepreneur Middle East in collaboration with Mastercard
• 2023 Recognized as one of the 60 exceptional African women at the prestigious Pan African Women Summit, Africa Union

Dream VC: Corporate Venture Practice

Martin Maina

Martin Maina is the Corporate Venture Practice Lead at Dream VC, where he brings a wealth of experience in venture-building and corporate venture capital to the role. With a strong foundation in technology innovation management and financial modelling, Martin has successfully led strategic investments and venture management across diverse industries including fintech, media and entertainment, and supply chain, particularly focusing on the African market. He has managed over $30 Mn in off-balance sheet investments of corporate and institutional capital and secured additional growth funding from co-investors including Google and the UK Government. Additionally, Martin is also a founding member of the Nairobi Business Angels Network, where the network has grown to include over 100 active angels and deployed over $1 Mn in 20+ early-stage scale-ups.

Martin has a strong entrepreneur and operator background as a 3x founder himself, having successfully raised venture funding from corporate venture capital firms and successfully closed partial exits. His leadership in these ventures have earned significant media coverage showcasing his ability to drive growth and innovation. Martin’s extensive experience in venture capital, strategic growth, and business development continues to drive his mission to grow the Corporate Venture Practice at Dream VC, where he is committed to advancing the African innovation ecosystem.

Suppple: Co-Founder & CEO

Eldrid Jordaan

Eldrid Jordaan is a pioneering entrepreneur and technology leader dedicated to leveraging innovation for
social good. As the Founder and CEO of Suppple, Eldrid has guided the company to significant milestones, including a £200-million initial public offering (IPO) on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in 2024. He first made a significant impact as co-founder and CEO of GovChat, South Africa’s largest civic engagement platform. GovChat became vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the distribution of over R66 billion in social grants and providing essential services to millions

Next176: Chief Venture Officer

Tramayne Monaghan

Tramayne Monaghan is a Ventures Officer with a CA(SA) and MBA.

In his current role, he ideates new potential products and devises strategies for going to market. He invests in startups and looks after the VC portfolio of Next176, with Old Mutual as an LP.

Tramayne loves to play in the grey areas between humanity and technology and how they intertwine in businesses. He believes we are building the future by looking at technology, but humanity becomes the key once technology becomes ubiquitous. Humanity faces a balance crisis, and Tramayne tries to counter the technological narrative by driving home the concepts of humanity and leadership.

Tramayne is a technologist, speaker and coach. Having launched multiple products on the African continent, Tramayne focuses his time on helping startups, and people evolve their innovation standards into more agile and future-fit ones. Tramayne drives innovation through challenging thinking and growing leadership to broaden horizons on what is possible.

Tramayne has spoken at global events, mentors startups, and authored a book on leadership, entitled, the Shepherd and The Beast.

ANZA Capital: CEO

Dr Audrey Verhaeghe

Creativity and innovation is our untapped and unlimited resource. I am privileged to lead initiatives that assist our nation to use it better as individuals and as collectives to improve our position in the world. As an Executive Chairman leveraging close to three decades of global industry expertise in the science, technology and innovation landscape, my experience has enabled me to successfully provide innovative consulting services to both the public and private sectors. My area of accountability includes directing the development and implementation of ground-breaking projects and programmes as well as constructing strategic policies and frameworks to ensure that tech entrepreneurs move forward. Due to my drive and passion, I embarked on a 10-year journey to establish the SA Innovation Summit which is now recognised as the largest innovation event in South Africa that integrates business, academia, and government. I have successfully concluded over 50 innovation challenges that are technology-based, I enjoy identifying business opportunities, invest in them and grow them.

Arion Power: Chief Executive Officer

Brian Gadisi

Brian Gadisi is a South African entrepreneur and co-founder of Arion Power, a start-up focused on innovative energy solutions to tackle power supply challenges. Alongside his co-founders Alan Gie and Themba Hadebe, Gadisi developed the WiBox, a mini-uninterruptible power supply (UPS) designed to keep internet routers and fiber connections operational during power outages, commonly referred to as “load shedding” in South Africa.

The idea for the WiBox originated from the founders’ frustration with frequent power cuts and the resulting lack of connectivity. They conceptualized the product while studying at the University of Cape Town, specifically as part of the Genesis Program in the university’s business school. The WiBox quickly gained traction as an affordable, effective solution for maintaining internet connectivity during power outages, addressing a significant pain point for businesses and individuals alike.

Under Gadisi’s leadership, Arion Power has grown into a successful enterprise, generating substantial revenue and expanding its product offerings. The company aims to provide more sustainable and efficient power solutions, looking beyond South Africa to address global energy challenges. Arion Power’s focus on renewable energy storage and efficient battery technologies showcases its commitment to innovation and sustainability in energy management.

Brian Gadisi and his team are recognized as young innovators contributing significantly to solving South Africa’s energy crisis and are looking to scale their impact on a global scale.

Divaine Growth Solutions: Managing Director

Yolanda Mabuto

Renewable Energy Executive |Milken-Motsepe Greentech Global Judge| Village Capital GreenTech Board Advisor|BRICS Energy & Green Economy Secretary General| Entrepreneur |Chairperson South African Institute Of Electrical Engineers: Entrepreneurship & Innovation |Clean Energy Businesswoman Multiple Award Winner.

• Founder of Divaine Growth Solutions
• Previous Country Director – Genesis Energy Group
• Chairperson of South African Institute of Electrical Engineers Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Board Member World Business Angel Investment Forum Global Start Ups and Scale Ups,
• International Steering Committee Member of Global Wealth Forum
• Member of BRICS Energy and Green Economy Working group representing South Africa,
• Country Director for World Women Empowerment
• Advisor for Association of Municipal Utility Electricity – Women in Electricity
• Former Board Member of African Utility Week, Power Gen – Africa,

Very passionate about Transformation, Economic development, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Social developments and Climate Change. Women in Electricity Excellence Award recipient, Women Advancement, Women in STEM and recently Global Women in Energy Awards and Clean Energy Businesswoman Award winner and Top 50 Most Influential Pan African Female Executives in the Energy Sector.

NOA: Sales and Business Development

Sibusiso Xaba

Experienced in starting new entrepreneurial ventures as well as providing capital and support to start up businesses.

Experienced in fundamental company valuations and security analysis.

Specialties: Investment management, entrepreneurship, valuations, venture capital and support, and financial markets.

RIIS: Senior Manager

Marc Cawood Dunnink

Marc has an innate curiosity for finding new and better ways of doing things that ultimately enable markets, ecosystems, and economies to better serve those that participate in them. This curiosity found it’s natural home in consulting in 2013 and since, he has had the privilege of supporting governments, private sector actors, NGOs, funds, and development institutions to enable strategic direction setting, design programmes and interventions to bring strategic intent to fruition, support the implementation journey, evaluate success and impact, and rapidly adapt to meet shifting environments and needs. Marc is currently a Senior Manager at the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) where leads their Impact service offering and key strategic programmes in the mining and energy sectors. He has over 10 years’ experience driving impactful socio-economic development programs with a diversity of clients across Southern and East Africa. Prior to joining RIIS, Marc honed his economic development and impact skill sets with Genesis Analytics in their Evaluation for Development and Economic Opportunities team, and with EY in their Strategy and People Advisory Services team. He holds an MSc in Political Science from Uppsala University, a PDM from WITS Business School, and BA from WITS.

JSE: Head of SME Development

Cleola Kunene

Winner of Future Leaders Entrepreneurial Leader 2024 and Mail & Guardian Woman of Power, Business for 2023. Cleola is a champion of Small Business growth & funding & high growth coach for African Entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur herself, she has also been instrumental in investing and growing companies in industries from e-commerce, green energy to commodities.

Cleola had demonstrated her capability as a precision business growth expert. She has grown companies in excess of 53% in revenue and aided in increasing jobs, reducing red tape and supporting economic development. Her expertise include business coaching, capital readiness, capital access, market access and strategic pivoting. She honed her skills as an entrepreneur and aiding hundreds of companies in their growth journey. Most notably as part of the JSE she has successfully built the most successful Accelerator Programme in Africa.

Cleola is an advocate for equality, African economic development and has worked tirelessly to promote investment and financial literacy in Africa.

Entrepreneurial Planning Institute: Founding CEO

Christoff Oosthuysen

With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, coach, trainer, and investor, Christoff Oosthuysen is the Founding CEO of the Entrepreneurial Planning Institute (EPI), a non-profit organisation that contributes to a conducive ecosystem for support small businesses and social enterprises in Africa. He is also a Certified Business Advisor and Executive Coach; and a designer of learning exchange programmes for initiatives such as the Social Enterprise Academy, the DigiBiz Programme, and the African Development Bank’s Innovation Lab.

ZIMELA - ORNA - UTANDO: COO

Babalwa Mni

Babalwa is a fervent advocate for youth engagement in renewable energy solutions, climate solutions, sustainable food systems, and the creative arts, driven by her unwavering commitment to problem-solving and ethical development. Armed with a background in Social Sciences, she perceives issues through the lens of power dynamics, fueling her vision of sustainable development systemically.

As a Climate Governance, Diplomacy, and Negotiations leadership FELLOW Alumni (AGNES), she envisions an empowered Africa, characterized by electrification, food security, and indigenous innovations. As a current Student Energy Fellow 2024 Babalwa’s expertise in renewable energy and sustainable food systems, coupled with her sales background, has honed her into a skilled communication specialist in sustainablity. She passionately champions youth mobilization as essential catalysts for transformative change. As the communication Specialist and Manager at Zimela – ORNA she shares the continued impact of an Intiative that looks at providing Global Market access to Creatives and Innovators around the Global South.

As a Mercedes – Benz BEVISIONEER fellow Alumni she continues to work on her plant positive project, UTANDO. Where she pioneers a research ecosystem, aimed at bridging the gap between energy and food security through renewable technologies and waste management education. Additionally, as Co-Founder of Energy Gist, Babalwa spearheads efforts to promote energy literacy and shape impactful policy briefs, recognizing the pivotal role of informed discourse in combating energy poverty in South Africa and across the continent.

Her continued advocacy and moderation on creativity and innovation summits and platforms make her a seasoned Moderater and Communication Specialist.

Cyber Alliance: Co-Founder & President

Larry Yon

In the dynamic landscape of US – Africa interest and international business, Larry stands as a seasoned professional with over two decades of comprehensive experience. Throughout his illustrious career, he has provided invaluable guidance to governments, multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and High Net Worth Individuals, both in the United States and across the African continent.

As the Co-Founder of CyberAlliance, Larry spearheads initiatives that marry his passion for cybersecurity as an enabler for SME growth with Africa’s burgeoning economic potential. His leadership has earned CyberAlliance prestigious accolades, including the National Pan-African Business of the Year Award, US Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award, and the North Carolina Minority Business Development Agency Champion Award. Notable accomplishments include orchestrating the U.S. – South Africa Black Business Summit and pioneering the African Diaspora Investment Summits, pivotal events aimed at bridging financial divides across the African continent.

Additionally aligned with Larry commitment to Africa, he is the visionary behind B-Direct, the 1st US based but Africa centric board prep and placement program for US corporate executives. Prior to CyberAlliance and B-Direct, Larry was managing partner of the oldest Black owned consulting firm in the United States, B&C International where US – Africa engagement fell under his purview.

Throughout his tenure, Larry’s commitment to socioeconomic progress has created thousands of jobs across Africa. Larry’s influence extends to speaking engagements on prestigious tech podcasts like Founder’s Factory Africa and Unlocking Africa, and his insights have been featured in media outlets such as The Africa Report, Yahoo Finance, Black Enterprise, and Inc. Africa.

USAID Southern Africa Mobilizing Investment: Deputy Chief of Party

Hans Balyamujura

As a passionate, determined, goal – driven and dynamic person, I continually try to inspire others to achieve optimal results. I have gained invaluable experience at various levels and believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

With excellent communication, networking and well-developed interpersonal skills, I integrate well within a team and have the ability to form trusted relationships with subordinates, clients as well as superiors.

Whilst focusing on the job, I am able to keep my eye on the horizon, growing and adapting organically to the environment that I am placed in. My proven track record of responsibility, integrity and commitment to company objectives has allowed me to be innovative in unlocking my growth. It is my strong belief that the detail lies in the execution, focus and timing.

My leadership style is based on managing through mutual respect, honest communication and trust, whilst keeping an eye on the bottom line. I maintain a strong work ethic and governance and have a healthy competitive attitude and thrive under pressure

SAB Foundation: Executive Director

Bridgit Evans

Bridgit Evans is Executive Director of the SAB Foundation investing in and providing business support to approximately 120 small and growing businesses and social innovators per annum, including farmers and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Prior to this, Bridgit was the CEO of the GreaterGood Group, a firm specialising in socio economic development consulting across Africa and home to the South African Impact Investing Network. Bridgit began her career at Tshikululu Social Investments and she also spent time at the Gordon Institute of Business Science running the Social Entrepreneurship Programme. Bridgit has two degrees in Psychology and an MBA from University of Cape Town and the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, with a thesis on Social Innovation. She is a Director at Liqid Medical, a health care start up funded by SAB Foundation and serves on the Foundations committee of Impact Investing South Africa. She is an Archbishop Tutu Fellow and is passionate about unlocking opportunities for people to realise their potential.

Digitally Fit: Digital Futurist

Nicky Verd

Nicky Verd is a Digital Futurist, Kickass Author, an International Keynote Speaker, Consultant and a voice for those who yearn to disrupt the status quo and reinvent themselves in an AI-powered economy. She is a leading thinker on driving innovation and digital transformation through personal disruption. She is the Author of the hit book “Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted.”

Nicky Verd is passionate about bridging the gap between people and technology. She has been recognized by Thinkers360 as one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on Digital Disruption and the Future of Work.

Transnet National Ports Authority: Executive Manager: Utilities Development, Special Projects

Tandokazi Nquma-Moyo

A published scientist who is a dynamic business leader in the Energy, Water, Logisitics/Maritime and Bioeconomy industries. She has served in various technical, strategic and management roles at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa), the Department of Science and Innovation (secondment) where she was the inaugural Fund Manager of the 3-year-old South Africa’s Innovation Fund, the North West University (NWU) Technolgy Transfer Office and the Technology Innovation Agency, where she established the Industry Matching Fund. She is currently the Executive Manager for Utilities Development at the Transnet National Ports Authority, responsible for developing alternative energy, water and non-tariff revenue initiatives.

Her career is capped with an Award of Excellence in Innovation and Technology Management from the Minister of Science and Innovation (formerly Technology) and featured as a trailblazing Public Sector Manager in the Public Sector Magazine by GCIS.

Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science Honours (published on Biofuels/Renewable Energy), Master of Science in Engineering Sciences, Diploma in Business Management, Project Management and Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Management certificates.

Savant: Partner

Thaheer Mullins

Thaheer Mullins is a partner at Savant, an Africa-focused high-technology investment fund manager, accelerator, incubator and corporate investment & innovation programme manager.

His specific focus lies in the fund manager where he facilitates deal sourcing, structuring and portfolio support (business development & investor access). He takes a hands-on approach to supporting early-stage businesses spanning pre-seed to series A. Thaheer has a strong pan-African network and brings a practical perspective on corporate integrations and portfolio management.

Anza Capital: Investment Associate

Hesbon Busera

Hesbon is an investment professional with 9 years of experience in fundraising, mergers, and acquisitions across Cleantech, Agtech, and Tech Logistics in Africa. Passionate about empowering African founders, he serves as an investor readiness mentor at Seedstars and was a judge during Visa Foundation’s RevUp Women program in 2023 and Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Competition by Jack Ma Foundation in 2022. His dedication to supporting transformative founders is a testament to his commitment to driving positive change in the African ecosystem.

Cape MedTech: Founder

Juandré Klopper

Juandré Klopper is a South African medical doctor, health tech innovator and humanitarian dedicated to improving healthcare in underserved communities. As the founder of Cape MedTech, at only 27 he leads a team developing innovative, affordable medical technologies and mobile apps that address real-world challenges in Africa’s healthcare system. He also founded Sponsor Medic, a non-profit focused on placing locum doctors in understaffed clinics and hospitals in impoverished areas that need additional staff.
Recognized as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans, Juandré Klopper’s contributions to healthcare innovation have gained widespread recognition. His work has been showcased across television, national radio and in various magazines and newspapers and he has become a popular speaker on the subject of frugal innovaiton. Guided by the philosophy that “Every challenge is an opportunity for a solution,” Juandré is committed to bridging healthcare gaps and improving patient care where it’s most needed.

Fireball Capital: Investment Professional

Justin James

As an Investment Professional at Fireball Capital, we seek to invest and support the South African and Africa venture capital ecosystems. We perform this function through a collaborative approach by investing and partnering with the very best venture capital managers and by investing directly in venture solutions that are seeking smart capital that can internationalize their business on the global stage. We are building a diversified risk adjusted portfolio of innovation and high growth for our clients.

As head of Investment Risk, I am responsible for the design, upgrade and maintenance of the internal investment risk systems. I also monitor daily mandate compliance and portfolios oversight.

Each day I am responsible for building a comprehensive picture of risk across the full range of investment portfolios. This picture is built by collating data from prime brokers, administrators, auditors, custodians and compliance consultants. This allows me to track the daily movements in leverage, directional exposure, position concentration, derivative exposure, volatility and VaR for all underlying funds as well as for the aggregate fund of funds.

I utilise my knowledge of database management (SQL) and Visual Basic coding to create front end user interfaces for the portfolio management team to analyse the funds.

I form part of the investment committee and assist in assessing the ESG component within our funds.

I previously worked in Bermuda for 5 years where I was responsible for managing the global counterparty credit risk at Fidelity Worldwide Investment (FIL Limited). Prior to that, I worked at PWC in their financial services / investment management departments in Cape Town, New York and Bermuda, where I was exposed to hedge funds, investment management and insurance clients.