Aix-Marseille-Provence, elected European Capital of Innovation, will host the 8th edition of the EMERGING Valley summit on December 3, 2024.
Under the High Patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, this event will take place in Marseille and at thecamp, a futuristic venue designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Historically supported by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Euroméditerranée Public Development Agency, the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhône, and the City of Marseille—founding partners since its inception—EMERGING Valley acts as a catalyst for digital innovations and strategic investments.
Its goal is to position the Aix-Marseille-Provence region as the hub for impactful innovation and tech startups between Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.
The summit brings together tech leaders, investors, governments, startups, and key innovation stakeholders from around the world.
Financing Tech Startups & Innovation: Central Theme of the 2024 Edition
This year, the financing of innovation and startups will be at the heart of discussions, especially in a context where global economic uncertainty affects the development opportunities of tech companies. “EMERGING Valley 2024 marks a decisive step in transforming economic relations between Europe and Africa. We bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will build solutions to major global challenges together” says Samir ABDELKRIM, entrepreneur, author and Founder of EMERGING Valley.
The summit will offer a unique platform to connect European and African investors and entrepreneurs, and to debate new financing mechanisms adapted to current challenges.
Notable Investors Expected in 2024 Include:
Corinne AMORI BRUNET, Ambassador of Benin in France
Jean VAN WETTER, CEO of ENABEL
Maria ROMERO DE AVILA TORRIJOS, Director General of Innovation and Finance for the City of Madrid
Yves CABANAC, General Manager France, Plug and Play Tech Center
Sadaharu SAIKI, Founder and General Partner, Sunny Side Venture Partners
Jacopo LOSSO, General Director, European Business Angel Network
Huseyin DEMIRHISAR, Head of Middle East and Africa, BID Capital
Karima EL HAKIM, Country Director Egypt and Africa Ventures, Plug and Play Tech Center
Yacine RAHMOUN, CEO, Casbah Business Angels
Tarek EL KHADY, Founder and President, Investors of the Mediterranean
Faten AISSI, Associate Director, FLAT6LABS
“This year, with a focus on innovation financing, EMERGING Valley is more than ever a key hub for connecting African startups with international opportunities, in a rapidly changing economic environment” adds Samir ABDELKRIM, Founder of EMERGING Valley.
Diverse Themes at the Heart of Digital Transition
Beyond financing, EMERGING Valley 2024 will tackle a wide array of current topics, with special focus on:
- Promoting a positive Mediterranean narrative, in partnership with the AFD Group Campus
- Artificial intelligence serving sustainable development
- Creating sustainable cities through smart technologies
- Innovations in Europe-Africa e-health
- Collaborations in cultural and creative industries (CCI) between Europe and Africa Highlights of the 2024 Edition:
Soft-Landing Program in the Provence Ecosystem for African Startups
Led by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Soft-Landing Provence Africa Connect program will play a central role in the 2024 edition. This initiative allows 22 highly innovative African startups with strong international growth potential, particularly in Europe, to expand economically in the metropolitan area in connection with EMERGING Valley. They will receive strategic support from local incubators to develop their activities in Provence, strengthening ties between the two continents.
Launch of the Provence Africa Connect Competition
The 2024 edition of the Provence Africa Connect competition, also spearheaded by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, will once again shine during EMERGING Valley. This competition recognizes a Provençal or European project that has a positive economic impact on Africa and contributes to the prominence of the Aix-Marseille-Provence region.”In 2024, we continue to strengthen the bridges between Europe and Africa, showcasing high-impact projects like Provence Africa Connect” explains Samir ABDELKRIM, Founder of EMERGING Valley. The award ceremony will take place on December 3 at thecamp. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.emergingvalley.co/provence-africa-connect/
Country Focus: Spotlight on South Africa
Following the spotlight on Kenya in 2023, EMERGING Valley continues its engagement with the Anglophone sphere by honoring South Africa in the 2024 edition. Among the numerous official delegations present, South Africa will play a key role in discussions and initiatives during the summit, focusing on sustainable impact and social entrepreneurship.
A Multi-Site Event with State-of-the-Art Facilities
The summit will unfold across two iconic venues:
- Palais du Pharo in Marseille: On the eve of the summit, personalized working meetings for sponsors and private, invitation-only workshops for investors will take place in the prestigious setting of Palais du Pharo.
- thecamp: An innovation campus nestled in the heart of Provence, featuring three main spaces:
○ Main Stage: An amphitheater dedicated to debates on global issues between Europe and Africa, hosting major conferences and keynote speeches.
○ Impact Stage: A space to discuss topics like sustainability, digital inclusion, and artificial intelligence through pitches and debates.
○ Co-Innovation Lab: A laboratory designed as a Podcast studio to encourage collaborations and co-creations around collaborative innovation among startups, investors, and large corporations, culminating in a series of podcasts after the event.
With over 2,000 participants, 100 startups, and 30 investors from more than 50 countries, EMERGING Valley 2024 promises to be an essential event for those aiming to transform innovation into a lever for global impact.
For additional information, please contact the EMERGING Valley team.
About EMERGING Valley:
Founded in 2017, EMERGING Valley is an international summit held annually in Aix-Marseille-Provence. It aims to strengthen ties between Europe and Africa through innovation and investment. The summit provides a platform to promote startups and digital ecosystems while exploring solutions to major global challenges.
Contacts :
For all technical and program information, please contact : contact@emergingvalley.co
For all press relations questions : Quatrième Jour PR Agency
Antoine Billon : abillon@quatriemejour.fr – 00 33 6 03 72 88 95
Cindy Mouchard : cmouchard@quatriemejour.fr – 00 33 7 82 92 00 16
