2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress: Speed City-Africa Innovation Network Builds Cross-Continental Bridges
Building Bridges: Indiana-Africa Innovation Pipeline | June 2-5, 2025
Indiana's Venture Ecosystem: Impressive Growth
$1.05B
2024 Deal Value
Indiana's highest-ever venture capital value
166
Total Deals
Up from 156 deals in 2023
#6
National Ranking
In deal count growth rate
Indiana is positioning itself as an emerging player through consistent deal growth, increased focus on entrepreneurship, and developing a strong pipeline of VC-backable companies—all despite challenging national venture capital conditions.
Sector Strengths & Diversification
Indiana's venture ecosystem shows strength across multiple sectors, leveraging existing strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture while nurturing emerging technologies. Tech leads with $549.36M across 139 deals, while Agbioscience nearly doubled from 2023, reaching $64.25M across 14 deals.
The African Cocktail: Where Two Economic Powerhouses Meet
June 3, 2025 | High Alpha Innovation, 830 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 1500 Floor 4, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, US
Indianapolis presents a rare opportunity to connect Indiana's innovation ecosystem with sub-Saharan Africa's economic transformation as it hosts the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
Why Sub-Saharan Africa Should Engage with Indiana
Indiana has emerged as a manufacturing leader and innovation hub, offering African businesses strategic U.S. market entry.
- Manufacturing: Largest U.S. steel producer (27% of national production) and 2nd largest auto manufacturer
- Life Sciences: Ranks 5th in pharmaceutical sales and 2nd in biopharmaceutical jobs
- Innovation: $1.05 billion in venture capital across 166 deals in 2024
- Location: Within 800 miles of America's largest markets with world-class infrastructure
Why Indiana Must Engage with Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa represents the globe's most explosive growth opportunity for forward-thinking Indiana businesses.
- Growth: Eleven of the world's twenty fastest-growing economies are in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Market Size: Household spending projected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2030
- Demographics: Working-age population will surpass China and India by 2034
- Urbanization: 190 million more urban dwellers by 2025, with higher consumption than rural areas
Featured Speakers
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs with 35+ years of Foreign Service experience.
Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety, II
President of Busara Advisors, Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa (2022-2025) and Former U.S. Representative to the African Union (2013-2015).
Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke
Pioneer Chairperson of Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing, with 23+ years of experience in development, philanthropy, and impact investing sectors
Manny Ohonme
Founder & CEO, Samaritan's Feet & World Shoe, Inc.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Zimu Xu
Senior Lecturer, Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship, Cranfield University
Elliot Parker
CEO Alloy Partners
Ting Goote
CEO TechPoint
Tunji Idowu
Former Executive Director Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta
African Market Opportunity
600% Growth
African startup ecosystem growth since 2015
456 Million Youth
Projected African youth population by 2035
9% Tertiary Enrollment
Increasing demand for higher education
Africa represents a significant growth opportunity with 65% of its population under 25 years old by 2030. Key markets like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa lead in venture investments, with fintech being a primary driver despite challenges in early-stage capital access and regulatory complexity.
Expected Outcomes & Impact
Short-term Results
- Direct business connections
- Knowledge transfer in key sectors
- Initial investment commitments
Partnership Development
- Regular trade missions
- Joint venture formations
- Market entry support
Long-term Impact
- Cross-continental investments
- Technology transfer initiatives
- Enhanced trade relationships
The GEC events are designed to produce both immediate connections and sustainable economic relationships between Indiana and African markets, creating pathways for mutual growth and investment opportunities across continents.
