PRESS RELEASE
Marseille, December 10th, 2024: The 2024 edition of EMERGING Valley, held on December 3, has firmly established itself as a pivotal event for transcontinental innovation, strategic investment, and strengthening ties between the ecosystems of Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. In a world grappling with environmental, economic, and social crises, this summit showcased how innovation and investment can serve as powerful levers for sustainable transformation.
With record-breaking figures and major strategic announcements, EMERGING Valley 2024 has transcended its role as a forum to become a driving force for concrete initiatives.
Key Figures of a Record-Breaking Edition
The 8th edition of EMERGING Valley centered on transforming economic cooperation models to address major transitions—energy, digital, climate, and social—through impactful startups, visionary investors, and strategic partnerships.
- Participation: Over 1,500 participants from 50 countries.
- Speakers: 155 speakers.
- Sessions: 36 conferences spanning 30 hours of live content.
- Investors: Nearly 40 international funds in attendance.
- Official delegations: 10 African countries represented (Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco, Algeria, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tunisia, Malawi).
Launch of the “Positive Mediterranean” Program by AFD Group
A highlight of EMERGING Valley 2024 was the launch of the Positive Mediterranean program by the AFD Group Campus. This ambitious initiative seeks to position the Mediterranean region as a model of innovation and co-development through its unique narrative-driven approach.
The program comprises three interlinked components:
- Mediterranean Talent Academy: A training and support program for 88 young talents from both shores to enhance their capacity to tackle local and global challenges, led alternately by StartupBRICS and INCO.
- Mediterranean SIBC Adaptation: Inspired by the success of the Social & Inclusive Business Camp, this acceleration program supports 75 social entrepreneurs in scaling their impact-driven projects from North Africa.
- International Platform via EMERGING Valley: A unique opportunity to connect Mediterranean innovators with global networks and share the values of a more positive Mediterranean.
The signing of a four-year strategic partnership agreement between the AFD Group Campus and EMERGING Valley, with the participation of the Interministerial Mediterranean Directorate (DIMED), underscores the significance of this collaboration. It reaffirms Aix-Marseille-Provence’s status as a hub of Euro-Mediterranean innovation and cooperation.
Investment: Record Announcements and Concrete Collaborations
Investment was a central theme of the event, with nine flagship sessions involving nearly 150 investors and entrepreneurs and strategic networking opportunities:
- Record Fundraising: Lafricamobile, a Senegalese success story, announced a €7 million fundraising, cementing its status as a model for African startups.
- Business Investor Lunch: For the first time, EMERGING Valley hosted an exclusive networking lunch for investors, gathering over 40 key players, including Plug and Play, Sunny Side Venture, Flat6Labs, Launch Africa, Bpifrance, and Proparco.
- Coaching and Masterclasses: Tailored pitch training and investment readiness workshops offered startups bespoke support the day before the summit.
Strategic Delegations: Building Transcontinental Bridges
Nine official delegations reflected the diversity and vibrancy of African ecosystems:
- Nigeria: A dynamic “African Silicon Valley.”
- South Africa: A leader in social and sustainable entrepreneurship.
- Tunisia: A model for startup internationalization.
- Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Rwanda, Algeria, and Kenya also made their mark.
The Soft Landing Provence Africa Connect program strengthened these economic bridges, offering startups a unique springboard into Euro-Mediterranean networks.
Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurial Success
The 2024 edition also featured inspiring moments of recognition and celebration for innovation:
- Provence Africa Connect Program Awards:
- Europe-Africa Hub Category: Olivier Decazes, founder of L’Officine du Monde,for strengthening economic ties between continents.
- Export Category: John Okoro, from Growth Energy, for sustainable export solutions.
Conclusion
Samir Abdelkrim, founder of EMERGING Valley, concluded:
“This record-breaking edition solidifies EMERGING Valley’s role as a catalyst for transcontinental innovation. Through strategic announcements, exclusive partnerships, and entrepreneurial successes, we have demonstrated how Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean can jointly tackle global challenges.”
For more information, contact:
Quatrième Jour Agency
Antoine Billon: abillon@quatriemejour.fr
Cindy Mouchard: cmouchard@quatriemejour.fr