Fintech still dominates Africa’s VC. Deeptech may be next.
- Investors at SWEAT Africa see deeptech as Africa's most defensible innovation bet, despite its current small share of VC funding.
- Specialized funds like Africa Health Ventures and OneBio are emerging to assess scientific risk and regulatory pathways in deeptech.
- The AI boom is pushing VCs to pay more attention to deeptech, as it offers stronger protection against competition.
The shift towards deeptech in Africa represents a significant opportunity for innovation and investment. However, the success of deeptech startups will depend on overcoming cultural and infrastructural challenges, as well as ensuring that scientific research translates into viable commercial products. Investors and founders must collaborate closely to navigate these complexities and unlock the continent's potential.
