A Place for Entrepreneurs and Investors
Welcome!
I am Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network (ADN) and chair of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS). As I invite you to register for the upcoming symposium, which takes place January 29-30 at the Biltmore Hotel, Santa Clara, allow me to share the passion and vision that drove us to organize it.
The upcoming symposium focuses on Africa-specific programs that offer greater opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to contribute to Africa’s development. Respected, world-renowned public and private figures, will share insights from current diaspora initiatives and investment opportunities. Specific takeaways from the symposium will include:
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Tools and knowledge about how to build a successful business in Africa;
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How-tos for raising seed and venture capital for enterprises focused on Africa;
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Active and passive investment opportunities in Africa through newly developed online and offline channels;
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A strong network of Africans and friends of Africa who are at the forefront of business and investment in Africa.
Entrepreneurs
Do you want to start or grow your business in Africa? The symposium will provide tangible takeaways including a network of like-minded individuals and tools about how to kickoff and grow your venture.
Investors
Do you want to participate in Africa’s economic boom? The symposium will showcase investment opportunities and channels with the promise of significant social and financial returns.
About ADN
A few years ago we saw a need to develop a platform that will mobilize and engage the African Diaspora to effect change on the continent. The 30 million plus Africans in the Diaspora by and large remain on the periphery of the vast number of private and public initiatives focused on socio-economic development of Africa. Together we aimed to harness the great work already being done by Diasporans and build bridges to fully unlock the Diaspora’s resources in support of Africa. ADN was thus born, as a network of Africans in the Diaspora and friends of Africa who are dedicated to using their talent, ingenuity and financial capital for the socio-economic development of Africa.
Since the inception of ADN, we have created and participated in multiple initiatives for the creation and sharing of knowledge including research, forums and advocacies. ADIS provides an opportunity to deepen our mission through an annual, offline, curated conference. It highlights the African Diaspora's current and potential contribution to the continent through direct investment, small business development, philanthropy, and innovation.
Warmest regards,
Almaz Negash
2016 Africa Diaspora Investment Symposium Chair
Did you know?
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Africa has over 30 million international migrants. This significantly dwarfs the actual size of the African diaspora, which includes unrecorded migrants and second- and third-generation migrants [1]
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Remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa reached $32 billion in 2013;at least 3 times funding from donor financial institutions[2]
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African immigrants have the highest academic achievement in the U.S.A.[3]
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70% of African graduates in the diaspora are willing to return to build Africa; and 50% of those plan to become entrepreneurs.[4]
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One of the top fears of Africans in the diaspora who want to return home is: the fear of failure coupled with the lack or weakness of a homebased social and professional network[5]
[1] http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTDECPROSPECTS/Resources/476882-1157133580628/DfD_FullReport.pdf
[3] http://www.atlnightspots.com/african-immigrants-have-the-highest-academic-achievement-in-the-us/
[5] http://www.siliconafrica.com/the-top-10-fears-of-african-diaspora-about-africa/
