Free and open to the public this October 13-15, AFTV5 and Lone Star - Africa Works invite you to the 1st ever:

Austin-Africa Social Entrepreneurship Forum and Pop Up Market

Come celebrate and explore your place in a community of non- and for-profit entrepreneurs, from Austin to Texas to the USA to every African country.

Meet other innovators, advocates and visionaries like you, who are using business as a tool for social good. Join in a discussion about Austin-Africa philanthropy, commerce and cultural exchanges. Explore ways of making African country opportunities part of your classroom, your personal life, your career, or your company. Pitch your U.S.-Africa business idea to a panel of judges from Austin's incubator/accelerator community.

Please don't forget to visit the Pop Up Market and Expo, or the outdoor food vendors.

For information about our parent event the U.S.-Africa Cultural Expo and Business Conference, visit the main event page here: www.aftv5.com/usafricabusinessmatchmaking



If you are interested in vending or exhibiting at the event, please visit this page.

SCHEDULE

We want to start our first year with a bang, so check out these great opportunities!

(Note: Full schedule and brochure coming soon. Be sure to check the main conference page for other events!)

Thursday Oct. 13 7pm - 9pm - Meet and Greet

Friday Oct. 14, 2pm - 6pm - U.S.-Africa Business Conference Panels

6pm - 7pm - Social Enterprise Shark Tank: A Business Pitch Workshop

Do you have an idea for a U.S.-Africa business? Can you describe it in 5 minutes or less? Make your pitch to a panel of judges from the international incubator/accelerator community, then get some useful feedback.

Judges Panel includes: Tarmac (www.tarmactx.com), Tech Ranch (www.techranchaustin.com) and more.

Please Note: Slots for pitches are limited, so please register below.

7pm - 9pm - Entertainment and Live Cultural Events

Saturday Oct. 15, 10am - 6pm: U.S.-Africa Business Conference Panels

10am - 11:30am - Austin-Africa Impact Panel

Moderated by the host of award-winning development podcast Tiny Spark, Amy Costello. What are the different approaches, goals and models of Austin’s Africa-focused social enterprises? How do they collaborate with African country partners? What lessons can we learn from their experiences? What can Austin and Texas governments do to make this all more effective? Let’s find out!

Panel includes: Sarah Evans (www.wellawareworld.org), Ashish Gadnis (www.banquapp.com), Cameron Crake (www.ravenandlily.com) and more.

3pm - 4:30pm - Workshop on U.S.-Africa Small-to-Medium Enterprises

Experienced African entrepreneurs and philanthropists living in Texas will talk about their businesses and different initiatives that connect Africa and USA at the same time ponder on challenges and opportunities of investing in Africa and how share insights on their U.S.-Africa ventures. These panelists will also share perspective on Why Africa is the Best Place for investment opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring startup or an established company, you’ve got to attend and connect with amazing panel of hardworking and Can Do-ers. Moderated by Theo Shayo of the International Multicultural Organization.

Panel includes: Robert Ngabesong (President and Founder of Roban Energy), Oyen Borngt (Co-Founder of Borngreat Foundation), and Moyo Oyelola

4pm to 5:30pm - Austin-Africa Youth Engagement Panel

Today’s young people in Austin and African countries aren’t wasting any time. They’re already devising and testing new ways of tackling tomorrow’s problems head on, working with new ideas and technology. Campbell Erickson (www.ayouthmind.org) and guests will expand your mind and your appetite for change.

8pm-11pm: Awards Gala and Africa Party Featuring Fashion Show, Entertainment and Dance

Since we are part of the 3rd annual U.S.-Africa Cultural Expo and Business Conference, all attendees are also invited to participate in the following:

- A special evening Gala Event

- Discussions about connecting with capital and financing sources, challenges and developments in Africa business opportunities, strategies for growth and competitive advantage, incentives for foreign investment, establishment of global companies, and access to finance for African businesses including government incentives

- Breakaway matchmaking sessions with business owners

- Musical performances

- Fashion shows

- And more!



