Tech Startups: Getting Investment-Ready

​Mr. Nicholas Kabaso is a distinguished corporate leader with over 15 years of experience in banking and capital markets across Southern Africa, and a leading advocate for the African Growth Story.

​Under his leadership, the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) has achieved historic milestones, including the listing of homegrown technology innovators on the Alternative Market (Alt-M). A Mandela Washington Fellow, Mr. Kabaso is deeply committed to bridging the gap between local startups and global institutional investors, ensuring that Zambian tech founders have the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to scale and compete on the global stage.

​This session is designed to equip young technology entrepreneurs with practical strategies to position their startups for funding opportunities. It will focus on the critical elements investors assess before committing capital, including formal governance structures, financial discipline, and operational transparency.

​Participants will gain valuable insights into building investor confidence, structuring their businesses for scalability, and aligning their startups with both local and international investment expectations. The session will also highlight common mistakes early-stage startups make when seeking funding and provide actionable guidance on how to avoid them.