Tunisia is hosting the second edition of the Middle East-Africa Startup and Innovation Summit or “Startup Gate Summit 2020”, on November 12 and 13, 2020 in virtual format.

Startup Gate Summit 2020 offers a meeting place between investors, project leaders, start-ups, SMEs and experts in new technologies in Tunisia, the Middle East and Africa. It aims to connect all the players in the ecosystem of SMEs, venture capital, Private Equity, banks, SICARs and governments in order to boost projects based on technological innovation.

Thus, it will be an opportunity for visibility and networking for young project leaders, small and medium-sized innovative companies operating in the field of E-Commerce, BI decisional intelligence, information security, financial technologies. FINTECH and Artificial Intelligence AI, in addition to AGROTECH food technology and SDG sustainable development.

This summit will host several international online seminars on financing mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises, methods of supervision and support for startups, smart cities, artificial intelligence “AI”, the Internet of IoT objects, robotics and financial technologies, with the best global experts representing major investment structures around the world.

The summit includes a competition in these areas, allowing Tunisian youth to obtain the support of these investors and donors from the United States “USA”, the Arab Gulf Countries GCC, Europe and those with a foreign expertise from Canada and Asia. During this event, training will be provided with mentoring sessions for startups.

It should be noted that the participants represent 15 countries, while the number of proposed projects reached 100 projects.

Tunisia startup event Tunisia startup event

Summit program:

Official launch on November 12 at 9 a.m.:

A “Round Table & Desk Strategy“ Ministers & CEOs ”co-organized by Proconsult Tunisia, this table will take place online Thursday November 12 from 9 am as part of the international summit“ Startup Gate Summit 2020 ″. The general theme of the table is: ”How to found a knowledge economy based on innovative and promising micro-enterprises; Financial and legal tools. Neighbors, a force ignored by the Tunisian state; Establish a polito-economic strategy of openness and mutual cooperation with neighbors and promote young Tunisian project leaders “, the participants are:
– Mr Marouène ABASSI, Governor of the Central Bank

– Mr. Ali KOOLI, Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support

– Mr. Abdessalem ABASSI, Economic Advisor to the Tunisian Head of Government

– Mr. Ridha Saidi, Former Minister for Economic Affairs, SP Proconsult

– Mr. Salah ESSAYEL, Chairman of the Financial Market Council (CMF)

– Mr. Sami MEKKI, CEO LA POSTE

– Mrs. Nejia GHARBI, DGA CDC

– Mr. Badreddine OUALI, Chairman VERMEG

– Mr. Nabil MEDDANI, CEO Banque Zitouna

– Norman SCHRAPAEL, Director of Digital Transformation, GIZ

– Fadhel Abdelkefi, Chairman Tunisie Valeurs

– Ms. Salwa SMAOUI, Microsoft Middle East & AFRICA

– Adnane BEN HALIMA, VP Huawei North Africa

– Mr. Riadh Ben ABDEJLIL, Director of Research and Country Risk Assessment Department at the Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation

– Ms. Houda Nefzaoui, Tunisian Investment Authority

– Mrs. Sana SKHIRI, CEO Log-Xpres

– Dr. Malek Channoufi, SP Startupgatex

November 12 at 2.30pm / Webinar 2: ”Funding’s Mechanism and Solutions for young project leaders, Startups and SMEs in the Middle East & Africa“ MEA ”region. How could investors, bankers, equities and governments Change start-up landscape and rampe up support for tech startups in MEA region ”.

Webinaire 3: 12 Novembre à 4.30PM: Smart Cities: Shape the society of 2030: Digital and financial solutions for a more livable future in communities.

November 13 at 9.30 AM: Webinar 4: How could startups survive after Covid Crisis? Proposing alternatives and solutions, as well, draw a global roadmap for MEA startups and talented youth to re-live and scale up after the COVID crisis?

November 13 at 11.30 AM / Webinar 5: How Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Fintech will shape the future of the finance, banking and insurance industries.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer