Dpixel and AfriConEU launch an initiative to promote collaboration among European and African innovation ecosystems

Encouraging the meeting, collaboration, and sharing of different experiences between European and African innovative ecosystems to take part to developing new projects and strategic partnerships is the goal of the "AfriConEU Brokerage Event". An initiative promoted by dpixel: the venture incubator of the Sella group, together with AfriConEU, which will take place in Bologna on 2 and 3 November to connect the Digital Innovation Hubs of Europe and Africa and put them in contact with experts, investors, startups, public and private sector companies, academia and institutions.

European and African innovation ecosystems are rapidly spreading and digital innovation hubs are the first drivers of this progressive evolution. Today there are more than 600 Digital Innovation Hubs in the Old Continent that explore multiple industrial sectors, with a strong focus also on sustainability aspects, and as many are estimated in the African continent.

The AfriConEU project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation, aims to create the first trans-continental networking academy to support African and European Digital Innovation Hubs for skills development, knowledge sharing and implementation of strategic initiatives through collaboration and growth of new businesses.

The AfriConEU Brokerage Event will host over 200 innovators from 8 countries (Italy, UK, Portugal, Greece, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania) who will meet in Bologna, at BIGBO - the Boost Innovation Garage of Fondazione Carisbo, to strengthen the synergies between the two continents on four major areas of intervention: Agritech, Edtech, Fintech and Technology for Development.

In parallel, the Worldcafe Tables are also planned, a series of live-streaming meetings organized by African digital innovation hubs in which specific issues related to regional ecosystems will be explored.