Africa’s Startup Stars Shine in New York as Angel Fair Africa Merges Innovation with Entertainment Energy

The 12th edition of Angel Fair Africa (AFA@12) lit up the Google Office in New York City with the same energy and showmanship that defines Africa’s entertainment scene. Bringing together investors, founders, and creative thinkers, the event showcased how innovation and entrepreneurship from the continent are taking center stage on the global stage, much like Afrobeats has done in music.

Dr. Moka Lantum, CEO of CheckUPS COVA, opened the pitching session with a story that mirrors an Afrobeats comeback narrative: “This is my second coming,” he said, recalling how he first pitched at AFA 2016 in Kenya, raised funds for his startup MicroClinics, built it, sold it, and used the returns to launch CheckUPS COVA. His return to the Angel Fair stage in New York symbolized the spirit of African resilience and reinvention, the same drive powering African creatives breaking boundaries in Hollywood, fashion, and global music charts.

Among the other standout founders were Radhika Bhachu of Ndovu (Kenya), Agnes Mukuiya of ChipMango, Cordy Joseph of Timo Rides, and Mutembei Kariuki of Fastagger, whose innovations reflect a new rhythm of African brilliance, tech solutions with global swagger. Each pitch echoed a blend of intellect and performance storytelling as captivating as a chart-topping song.

In her fireside keynote, angel investor Esther Dyson likened investing to art itself, saying:

“Angel investing is more about learning than earning they are inversely correlated.”

Her sentiment resonates deeply within the entertainment world, where creativity, like capital, is a risk with uncertain but transformative rewards.

Moderated by Tinyiko Valoyi of Chanzo Capital, the “Investors in Africa” panel discussed lessons from the recent “funding winter” that saw the collapse of once-hyped startups like Dash (Ghana) and Copia (Kenya). But rather than a downfall, the conversation turned toward rebirth, an echo of the African entertainment renaissance that has seen stars like Burna Boy, Tems, and Davido rise beyond borders through persistence and authenticity.

Angel Fair Africa, founded by Eric Osiakwan, has ignited over $100 million in deals since inception, serving as a launchpad for African founders in the same way global stages like Coachella and AfroNation elevate African performers. With startups like CheckUPS COVA and Connected Med already achieving successful exits, AFA continues to prove that Africa’s next big export isn’t just Afrobeats its innovation.

The event ended with a stylish mixer at the Gentlemen’s Factory, where the energy was less boardroom and more backstage a reminder that Africa’s new wave of entrepreneurs and entertainers share a common beat: boldness, creativity, and a belief that the world is ready for their sound, their stories, and their startups.