Open Talk: Yan Kwizera

March 04, 2025

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CAT

F309

Lessons from Silicon Valley: Bridging Global Best Practices with Africa's Digital Future

Abstract: Silicon Valley has long been the epicenter of venture capital, startup innovation, and deeptech commercialization, fostering a unique ecosystem where ideas rapidly transform into global-scale businesses. As Africa’s tech landscape matures, there is a growing opportunity to adapt and integrate the best practices that have fueled Silicon Valley’s success while leveraging the continent’s unique strengths. This talk will explore key insights from working with Silicon Valley VC firms, startups, and accelerators like Stanford University, Techstars, and others, highlighting:

  • The VC Mindset: How top investors evaluate startups and why African founders
    must rethink fundraising strategies.
  • Founder-First Ecosystems: The role of mentorship, risk-taking, and failure as a
    learning tool in driving high-impact ventures.
  • Bridging Research & Commercialization: How institutions like Stanford turn
    cutting-edge research into billion-dollar companies—and how African universities can
    do the same.
  • Building for Scale: Lessons from global accelerators on market validation,
    product-led growth, and international expansion.

This session is designed for students, faculty, and staff interested in understanding how Africa can build a stronger digital innovation ecosystem by adapting and localizing global best practices. By the end of this discussion, attendees will gain a clearer roadmap for fostering high-growth startups, strengthening academia-industry partnerships, and attracting global capital to fuel Africa’s digital transformation.

Bio: Yan Kwizera is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and venture builder with expertise in scaling startups, venture capital fundraising, and digital transformation. He is the co-founder & CEO of HuzaX, a platform that connects startups to VC firms and VC firms to LPs, unlocking capital for high-growth ventures. As a screening committee member at Techstars, Yan evaluates top startups for acceleration. He has worked with Silicon Valley VCs, Stanford University, and global accelerators to support African startups in securing investment and expanding internationally.

Previously, he led the Africa expansion of RHT Holding ($200M+ projects), facilitated the entry of an Israeli AI company into Rwanda, and held key roles at Irembo and Jumia. He has also contributed to Stanford SEED initiatives, supporting emerging markets entrepreneurs in business development and growth. Through venture capital matchmaking, cross-border startup growth, and research commercialization, Yan is committed to driving Africa’s global digital leadership.

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