BuildUp Africa: A podcast by Adaverse to Spotlight African Web3 Startups

4 min readMar 15, 2023

At Adaverse, we are passionate about the potential of technology to transform lives and create opportunities today to build a more sustainable world for the next generation. That’s why we are excited to bring you Build Up Africa, our podcast series that explores the rapidly developing African tech landscape with a focus on Web3, entrepreneurship, and investing.

Now available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Castbox, Radiopublic, Stitcher and Youtube

Hosted by George Payne, Adaverse Venture partner and experienced podcaster, Build Up Africa delves into the world of African Web3 startups and the innovative solutions they are developing to drive change and transform the continent’s economy. Whether you are an investor looking to tap into Africa’s burgeoning tech scene, an entrepreneur seeking inspiration and insights, or simply someone who wants to stay informed about the exciting developments happening in Africa, this podcast is for you

THE FIRST EPISODE IS LIVE!

BuildUp Africa Season one episode one is live on all streaming platform

BuildUp Africa S1E1: Investing in the African Crypto Space

In this first episode of BuildUp Africa, George Payne speaks with the Adaverse team on investing in the blockchain space, and the surging adoption of the technology, while exploring what Africa looks like over the next decade, as young entrepreneurs explore the potential of Web3 solutions to address local challenges.

As guests on the podcast, we have Vincent Li, Founding Partner at Adaverse, Shogo Ishida, Co-CEO of EMURGO Middle East and Africa and Director at Adaverse, Yosuke Yoshida, Co-CEO of EMURGO Middle East and Africa. These accomplished professionals bring with them a wealth of experience. Together, they have more than 20 years of experience in venture investing, portfolio management, and leadership roles at large international organizations in the UAE and Asia. Additionally, they hold top positions at Cardano, the first environmentally sustainable blockchain firm building infrastructure for a sustainable Web3 economy across the globe.

You can listen to the podcast across popular streaming sites including

Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Castbox, Radiopublic, Stitcher, Youtube

Check out the first Episode here: Investing in the African Crypto Space

Why Africa?

Africa is home to over 1.3 billion people, comprising a vast array of ethnicities, cultures, and languages, with a growing population of young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs. In the last decade, Africa has risen to become one of the most promising regions for blockchain and Web3 development, seizing the opportunity to be at the forefront of disruptive technology at the brink of the digital revolution. Despite challenges such as regulatory uncertainties, inadequate digital infrastructure, and low levels of financial literacy, the African crypto space is rapidly evolving, presenting vast opportunities for growth and innovation.

The African startup scene has experienced continuous growth with a 1,000% increase in annual funding for tech startups since 2015. In 2022, African startups raised a record-breaking $3.3 billion in funding, a significant achievement. However, compared to the $215 billion raised by US startups in the previous year, the gap is noticeable. The lack of infrastructure and funding opportunities have hindered the growth of African startups, which is where Adaverse comes in, providing funding, advisory services, and support to help these entrepreneurs thrive.

Opportunities for Blockchain Startups in Africa

The African crypto space is being driven by the increasing adoption of mobile technology, with over 747 million mobile subscribers in Africa in 2020, presenting a vast market for crypto startups. P2P crypto trading volumes in Africa reached an all-time high of $17 million per week in June 2020, creating an opportunity for startups to provide more accessible and user-friendly platforms. Furthermore, the growing interest in blockchain technology among African governments presents an opportunity for startups to partner with them and provide innovative blockchain solutions to address pressing challenges.

BuildUp Africa podcast is available on all streaming platforms. Click here to listen

About Adaverse

Founded in September 2021, Adaverse is a startup accelerator established through a joint partnership between EMURGO Africa and Everest Ventures to improve Web3 startup growth in Africa. As part of EMURGO’s $100 million Cardano investment vehicle, Adaverse is positioned to steadily build the projected $139.4 billion African blockchain market by 2028.

We have invested in 30 companies across 10 sectors in 8 countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroun, Egypt, and South Africa, providing mentorship and tech support to help scale their solutions. Through our 1:1 mentorship program, Adaverse’s team of industry veterans provides guidance on ideation, token design, fundraising, legal advice, and project listing.

Adaverse is open to applications from founders all year round. Apply for funding here.