Scaling Agri-Food Innovation in Africa: The Role of Corporate Venturing

09 Dec 2025
Auditorium
Main Stage
  • What are the most effective partnership models between corporates and agri-food start-ups in Africa? How can corporate venturing and innovation governance frameworks be designed to foster mutual value creation?
  • How can corporates and investors co-create funding mechanisms to support agri-food innovation, especially for later-stage start-ups? What blended finance or co-investment strategies are showing promise?
  • What tools, networks, or governance structures can help corporates and investors identify and nurture high-potential start-ups? How can internal innovation teams align with external start-up ecosystems?
  • What are the next steps to replicate successful corporate-start-up partnerships across the continent? How can the ecosystem be made more inclusive, climate-resilient, and future-proof?
Chairperson
Jelena Erker
Jelena Erker, Associate Director – Food and Agribusiness - EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Speakers
Marius Birkenhäger
Marius Birkenhäger, Investment Officer – Venture Capital - FMO – DUTCH ENTREPRENURIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK
Ahmad Altawafsheh
Ahmad Altawafsheh, CEO & Founder - ALGEBRA INTELLIGENCE
Youssef Mamou
Youssef Mamou, Founder & Co-CEO - YOLA FRESH