The "Startups and Innovative SMEs" roadshow, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in collaboration with Smart Capital, continued its regional tour in Monastir on October 6. The event brought together over 100 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from regional authorities and institutions. The gathering was attended by notable figures such as Nejia Gharbi, Director General of the CDC, Moussa Aissa, Governor of Monastir, and Salman Alibhai, Project Manager representing the World Bank.
The Monastir stop saw a diverse range of participants, with 102 unique attendees registered. The group comprised 50 startup representatives, 19 SMEs, 15 project leaders, 8 support structures, 3 public institutions, 3 university and research center representatives, and 1 representative from a funding agency. This diversity reflects the regional actors' interest in the financing and support mechanisms established under the "Startups and Innovative SMEs" project.
The event focused on financing solutions for innovative startups and SMEs. A pitching session brought together 20 startups and the Child Funds of the ANAVA fund, aiming to facilitate direct meetings between entrepreneurs and investors and create real fundraising opportunities. The selected startups presented their projects, development ambitions, and financing needs to investors. The Innovatech fund was also presented as a financing instrument to support the development and growth of innovative SMEs.
The roadshow aims to go beyond information sharing and foster connections between entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors, making financing instruments more accessible. The event in Monastir demonstrated this ambition, with a focus on concrete opportunities for fundraising and networking. The roadshow will continue its regional tour, with upcoming stops in Gafsa on October 22 and Zarzis on October 23.
The "Startups and Innovative SMEs" project seeks to promote a more dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem across Tunisia. By bringing the roadshow to different regions, the project aims to raise awareness about its financing and support mechanisms and strengthen exchanges with startups, innovative SMEs, project leaders, and support structures.
The day concluded with a visit to Novation City in Sousse, showcasing the technopole and its ecosystem dedicated to innovation and new technologies. The visit included a meeting with Enova Robotics, a technological SME that benefited from financing from the Innovatech fund. This on-the-ground experience illustrated the role of the project's financing mechanisms in supporting innovative Tunisian companies and their development.
Through its roadshow, the "Startups and Innovative SMEs" project aims to combine information, regional proximity, access to financing, investor meetings, and showcasing accompanied companies to contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem across Tunisia.
Key points
- The "Startups and Innovative SMEs" roadshow stopped in Monastir, gathering over 100 participants to discuss financing and innovation.
- The event included a pitching session, allowing startups to present their projects and financing needs to investors.
- The roadshow will continue its regional tour, with upcoming stops in Gafsa and Zarzis.
