Our thematics 2024

Our thematics 2024
Welcome to the thematic section of EMERGING Valley 2024, where we highlight the key issues and trends that will shape the future of relations between Africa and Europe. Discover how technological advancements and new investment strategies are transforming tomorrow's economies, how the e-health sector is redefining access to care in innovative ways, and how the internationalization of African businesses is accelerating through ecosystems like Aix-Marseille-Provence. Each theme is an invitation to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, and engage with key players who are shaping a shared, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Financing: A Platform to Connect Europe and Africa

The financing theme will explore strategies to attract investments for African startups and mobilize more European investors. On the Main Stage, sessions will cover various financing strategies and the role of institutions in building impactful partnerships between Europe and Africa. Roundtables in the Impact Lab will feature expert guidance and insights from Business Angels, offering practical support to entrepreneurs for structuring and securing their funding rounds.

HealthTech: Building a Co-Innovation Health Hub between Aix-Marseille and Africa

HealthTech and digital health will be highlighted through sessions emphasizing Aix-Marseille-Provence's potential as a strategic hub for co-innovation in digital health between Europe and Africa. In both the Co-Innovation Lab and the Impact Lab, speakers will share examples of transcontinental partnerships in e-health and telemedicine, demonstrating how these initiatives address public health challenges while strengthening exchanges between continents.

Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Boosting Competitiveness through Innovation

AI is at the heart of economic transformation in Africa, enhancing the competitiveness and innovation of local businesses. In the Co-Innovation Lab, multiple sessions will spotlight the latest AI advancements and trends in Africa, focusing on their direct impact on businesses and communities. This theme will also be explored in the Impact Lab, where experts and innovators will discuss AI solutions tailored to the specific needs of the African continent.

Creative and Cultural Industries: Marseille, the Cultural Crossroads between Europe and Africa


In the creative industry sector, the City of Marseille positions itself as a cultural crossroads between Europe and Africa. On the Main Stage, various stakeholders will present initiatives that strengthen creative ties between the two continents, highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of this sector. The Co-Innovation Lab will also host discussions on creative exchange opportunities, showcasing how Marseille is becoming a reference point for Francophone entrepreneurship.

Sustainable Cities and Smart Cities: Regenerating Urban Spaces in the Mediterranean

The sustainable cities and smart cities theme will explore solutions to create more resilient and intelligent urban spaces. Sessions on the Main Stage will showcase urban regeneration projects inspired by Europe and Africa, with shared experiences on designing sustainable urban environments. The Impact Lab will extend this theme by discussing concrete initiatives for Mediterranean cities that are connected, inclusive, and future-oriented.

Fundraising and Support by Business Angels and Corporate Lawyers

Fundraising, essential for startup growth, will be the focus of several discussions. Sessions will offer practical advice on deal structuring and legal compliance to secure funding and support African startups in their European expansion. The role of Business Angels and legal experts will be highlighted to ensure comprehensive support for entrepreneurs in their international growth journey.

Soft Landing in Provence to Scale in Europe and Beyond

Marseille is becoming a strategic entry point for African startups seeking to expand into Europe. Sessions on the Main Stage will showcase soft-landing initiatives, illustrating how Aix-Marseille-Provence supports African companies in their international growth. This theme will continue in the Impact Lab, with sessions on European and regional partnerships in Provence to provide a nurturing environment for startup expansion and facilitate their integration into the European ecosystem.

Social Impact, Inclusive Tech, and Social and Solidarity Entrepreneurship


This theme explores the role of social innovation and inclusive tech in local development in Provence and Africa. Speakers will present social and solidarity entrepreneurship initiatives that transform communities, demonstrating how social innovation can reduce inequalities and improve people's daily lives. How can Provence and African regions position themselves as catalysts for high-impact social projects that combine entrepreneurial commitment with social responsibility?

Science and Society: When Science and Entrepreneurship Unite to Multiply Social and Environmental Impacts

Led by the Research Institute for Development, this theme underscores the importance of synergies between science and entrepreneurship in addressing contemporary environmental and social issues. Speakers, including awardees from IRD's Innovation Trophies, will share concrete examples of projects where scientific research and entrepreneurial initiatives complement each other to create positive impacts for communities. These exchanges aim to illustrate how applied science in entrepreneurship can provide sustainable and relevant solutions for balanced and inclusive development.

Business Law for Fundraising and International Expansion

This theme covers essential aspects of compliance, intellectual property, and legal security for scaling startups. Sessions will present strategies to ensure smooth internationalization, highlighting best practices in compliance and patent protection to build investor confidence. Speakers will share insights to provide high-growth startups with a secure and structured path during their global expansion.