In a lively celebration of innovation, networking, and collaboration, Itana and Accelerate Africa hosted the DBiA Mix Down, bringing together Africa’s vibrant startup ecosystem to close out the year on a high note.
The mixer featured a fireside chat on corporate partnerships and the future of acceleration, discussions on Doing Business in Africa, curated speed networking sessions, and interactive games, all designed to spark meaningful conversations and long term collaborations.
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CEO and Co Founder of Circle Funds, Sogo Ogundowole described the event as both “warm and exciting,” highlighting the opportunity to meet innovators across industries and forge potential partnerships. Circle Funds, a digital platform that digitizes traditional savings, including adjunct, institutional, and corporate investments, has grown rapidly since its launch on January 31, 2025.
The platform now boasts over 13,000 users and more than 200 active groups. Ogundawole emphasized that events like the DBiA Mix Down thrive when they bring together diverse and brilliant minds across Africa.
Participants echoed this sentiment. Chief Executive Officer of HRLeverage Africa, Seyi Babatunde who attended his second DBiA session, described the event as “awesome” and noted that it represented a cultural shift in networking, where open and meaningful interactions are the norm. He emphasized the importance of sustaining such conversations through active community engagement, sharing milestones, and celebrating successes to inspire further growth.
Head of Growth and Business at Agora Visa, Tope Emiola highlighted the value of community and access at the event. Agora Visa helps Africa’s top talent secure U.S. visas for global opportunities, and Emiola observed that the mixer successfully facilitated connections that can be sustained through both virtual and physical meetups, building on initiatives such as the Eternal Digital Residency.
As the year comes to a close, the DBiA Mix Down exemplifies how curated, well executed networking events can foster collaboration, accelerate growth, and strengthen Africa’s startup ecosystem, providing founders, investors, and innovators with the connections and insights they need to enter the new year stronger than ever.
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Chief Marketing and Community Officer, Itana, Nkechi Oguchi described the event as a pivotal moment for the ecosystem. “It celebrates people’s hard work and creates opportunities for deep connections,” she said, noting that attendees, including founders and investors, gained valuable insights, reworked strategies, and built relationships that extend beyond the event.
Oguchi confirmed that similar events will be held periodically next year to continue fostering these interactions.
