UrbanGeekz founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye graced the stage at the inaugural Africa Gate to Growth Forum at the top-ranked university, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Tinuoye, a sought-after public speaker and leading voice in the global startup ecosystem, shared her perspective on a dynamic panel discussion on fundraising in Africa. She was joined by Salim Ben Hassim Soumbounou, a multinational business executive, among others.
The ‘Unlocking Funding Opportunities for African Tech Companies’ panel offered invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by African startups. It examined a range of funding sources, including venture capital, crowdfunding, strategic partnerships, and debt financing. A key takeaway is the substantial impact of the African diaspora [whose remittances exceed $100 billion annually] as an untapped financial resource for developing startups on the continent.
“We [UrbanGeekz] are deeply committed to showcasing technology and innovation in Africa,” Tinuoye said in an interview. “We commend the AGG Forum for highlighting the untapped potential of Africa, specifically French-speaking Africa and its startup ecosystem.”
Joy Ajayi, MBA Candidate at UG Berkeley, Haas School of Business (l), with UrbanGeekz Founder Kunbi Tinuoye (r), who both participated in the ‘Unlocking Funding Opportunities for African Tech Companies’ panel discussion at AGG
Through her participation, Tinuoye reinforces UrbanGeekz’s commitment to amplifying diverse stories. By participating in these conversations, UrbanGeekz continues to play a pivotal role in spotlighting the African tech ecosystem within the global landscape.
Tinuoye joined a stellar lineup of speakers, including H.E Inza Camara, Consul General of Côte d’Ivoire in New York; Me Lassiney-Kathann Camara, President of Africa Gate to Growth 2025; Isaac Bayoh is the Founder, AI Chief, and Officer at FuturAfric; and Spectra Adaora Ijeoma Asala of SAIA Ventures, among others.
Ivorian Minister Gives Speech at AAG
Hosted by the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization, in collaboration with several heavyweight cross-border institutions, Africa Gate to Growth (AGG) is the first-of-its-kind initiative to position West Africa, particularly Francophone Africa, as a global tech hub. The goal is to generate interest and investment in this emerging, often overlooked, French-speaking ecosystem.
Their high-impact forum united dignitaries, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. The goal was to discuss ways to accelerate the growth of tech startups in West Africa and connect Africa’s innovation ecosystem with global markets.
The daylong event featured a forum with exhibitor stands, expert discussions, and keynote speeches from industry leaders, allowing attendees to explore Africa’s regulatory frameworks and growth opportunities.
The forum preceded an immersive learning week for ten Ivorian startups participating in a rigorous AGG program in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley. The founders spent eight intensive days in and around Silicon Valley from February 21 to 28. During this time, they engaged in networking, pitch practice, hands-on workshops, and investor meetings.
Africa Gate to Growth is a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization in collaboration with SPECI, CLKA Law Firm, and the UC Berkeley Haas African Business Club. The event aims to bridge ecosystems between West Africa and the United States, fostering collaboration in finance, technology, and innovation. By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics, Africa Gate to Growth seeks to unlock opportunities, drive digital transformation, and create sustainable growth in key regional sectors.
