Opening Networking Reception – Innovation City Cape Town
BigFive Summit 2023 will commence with a networking reception at Innovation City Cape Town – a facility that is emerging as the beating heart of Cape Town’s startup ecosystem. In addition to drinks, light bites, and networking, this session will feature a short introduction to the BigFive Summit programme plus informal discussion with some of the Summit’s most noteworthy speakers. This Summit networking event is free to all registered BigFive Summit delegates, exhibitors, speakers, and sponsors.
15th March
BigFive Summit 2023 Day One. Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Cape Town
07:30 – 09:00
Morning Coffee & Networking
09:00 - 10:30
Conference Sessions
09:00 - 09:15
Welcoming Remarks from the BigFive Summit Hosts
09:15 – 09:45
Headline Talk: William Mzimba, CEO, Vodacom Business Group
09:45 -10:00
Fireside Chat:Meghan McCormick, CEO, Oze
09:45 -10:15
Africa MSME Pulse Report 2023 Findings
Speakers: Frankline Mwenda Kibuacha, Digital Marketing & Outreach Manager, GeoPoll; Fred Imbo, COO, Africa 118
10:15 -10:30
Panel Discussion: MSME Report Implications for Africa’s Tech Ecosystem
10:30 - 11:00
Morning Networking Break
11:00- 12:30
Conference Sessions
11:00 - 11:30
Featured Presentation: “Financial Inclusion for Africa’s MSMEs” Tyler Karahalios, Market Force
11:30 - 12:00
Fireside Chat: “Early-stage Start-up Growth and Product Development Challenges” Sahil Affriya, Principal, Savant Venture Fund; Sandras Phiri, CEO, Pranary
12:00 - 12:30
Featured Presentation: “How Generative AI is Changing the World of SME Marketing” Michelle Geere, CEO, AdBot
Panel Discussion: “Solving Emerging Market Challenges with Blockchain” Led by Brenton Naicker Director of Capital Formation, CV VC
Speakers: To be announced
15:00 - 15:30
Afternoon Networking Break
15:30 - 17:30
Conference Sessions
15:30 - 16:00
Featured Presentation: “Smart Asset Financing for SMEs” Caitlin Craig, Investment Officer, Untapped Global
16:00 - 16:30
Featured Presentation: “How Emerging Technologies Will Empower Africa’s SMMEs” Lavina Ramkissoon, The “AI Mom”, Co-founder, Fintech Association of South Africa
16:00 - 16:30
Panel Discussion: “Can Technology Platforms Move the Needle for Small and Growing Businesses?”
Led by: Thaheer Mullins, General Partner, Savant Venture Fund
11:15 - 11:45 Featured Presentation:“Africa’s Alternative Payments Landscape” Andrew Katzwinkel, CEO, LayUp Technologies
11:45 - 12:00 Featured Presentation:“Africa’s Emerging Foodtech Ecosystem” Guy Futi, CEO, Orda
12:00 - 12:30 Panel Discussion:Small Business Owners Discuss Technology Adoption Led by:Amanda Louw Bester, Founder, Pragmattica Consulting Speakers:Afsana Khan, Endor by Design; Nkazimolo Miti, Regenize; Jacques Sibomana, Kuba Technologies
12:30 - 13:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Conference Sessions
13:30 - 14:00 Featured Presentation:“Insurtech and the African SME” Bente Krogmann, Director & CEO, mTek Services
14:00 - 14:30 Featured Presentation:“eCommerce for SMEs” Mitul Patel, Enterprise Sales, EMEA, Duda
14:30 - 15:00 Panel Discussion:Small Business Digital Marketing Trends
Led by: Amanda Louw Bester, Founder, Pragmattica Consulting
Speakers: Remi du Preez, Tractor Outdoor; Mags Shivanda, Digital Shero; Johann Van Zyl, Nfinity
15:00 - 15:30 Afternoon Networking Break
15:30 - 17:30 Conference Sessions
15:30 - 16:00 Featured Presentation:“Africa’s SME Technology Infrastructure” Henri Zeitsman, Startup Business Development, Amazon Web Services
16:00 - 16:30 Featured Presentation:"Lessons from Working with Startup Founders" Angelo Zanetti, MD, Elemental
16:30 Conference WrapUp
END OF BIGFIVE SUMMIT 2023
Block A, 2nd Floor, 7 West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront Cape Town, Western Cape 8001 South Africa