Scaling Beyond Borders: Africa & Emerging Market Growth
This event is delivered by the London Blue Factory and ESCP Business School, in collaboration with Startup Networks.
Scaling a company has never been easy — and in today’s global, capital-constrained, and highly competitive environment, it’s arguably harder than ever 🚀📉. Founders face pressure to grow faster, expand smarter, and unlock new markets earlier in their journey. At the same time, more UK businesses are actively looking beyond traditional markets 🌍, with Africa and other emerging regions increasingly seen as engines of long-term growth, innovation, and talent.
This event marks Part One of our ScaleUp Series, designed to spotlight founders and companies scaling across borders and unlocking opportunities in emerging markets 💡🌱. The series brings real-world stories, practical insights, and honest conversations about what it truly takes to grow internationally — from early expansion decisions to navigating risk, culture, and execution at scale.
The session opens with a keynote from Simon Woodroffe, who will share his journey from humble beginnings in Essex to building and scaling YO! Sushi into a global brand 🍣🌍. Simon will speak candidly about the highs, the lows, and the realities of international expansion — including what it really took to reach a nine-figure acquisition.
The second half of the session focuses on Africa and emerging markets, exploring opportunities for African companies entering the UK, as well as UK businesses looking to expand into high-growth markets 🌍📈. We’ll unpack common pain points, real success stories, and the scale opportunities across a diverse and rapidly evolving continent.
The session will be moderated by Alisa Sydow, with an expert panel bringing on-the-ground perspectives from across the ecosystem 🎤🤝.
Agenda:
6:30 PM – Registration & Networking
Guest arrival, registration, and informal networking
7:00 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
Introduction to the ScaleUp Series and the evening’s focus
7:05 PM – Keynote: Scaling a Global Brand
Simon Woodroffe
From humble beginnings to international scale and exit
7:30 PM – Short Break
7:40 PM – Fireside Chat: Scaling Across Borders & Emerging Markets
Moderated discussion with expert panel
8:20 PM – Open Networking
Founder, investor, and ecosystem connections
9:00 PM – Event Close
Takunda Chingozo
Takunda Chingozo is a venture builder and ecosystem architect with over a decade of experience supporting startups and scaling innovation across Africa. He is a researcher with the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation at Nottingham Trent University, where he explores the use of AI for industry transformation. Previously, Takunda led startup and developer skilling programmes at Microsoft, helping to upskill thousands of developers across the continent. He has worked closely with AfriLabs, supporting a network of 500+ innovation hubs, and founded TechVillage Innovation Centre in Zimbabwe, where he designed and delivered multi-sector enterprise support programmes.
Simon Woodroffe OBE
Simon Woodroffe OBE is a British entrepreneur and the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL, and the YO! Company. After starting his career in theatre, rock shows, and television, Simon went on to launch YO! Sushi in Soho in 1997, pioneering conveyor-belt sushi in the UK and building a global hospitality brand. He has since created multiple international ventures across hospitality and lifestyle sectors. Simon was awarded Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999 and received an OBE in 2006 for services to hospitality. He is a highly regarded global speaker, known for his candid and inspiring entrepreneurial insights.
Anthony William Catt
Anthony William Catt is a startup ecosystem builder and investor with over a decade of experience across Africa, Europe, and emerging markets. He is the founder of Ventures 54, a Pan-Africa advisory firm focused on mobilising global capital into the African tech ecosystem, working with governments, DFIs, VC funds, and ecosystem organisations. Anthony is also co-founder of London Africa Network, the UK’s largest community supporting the UK–Africa tech and investment corridor. Formerly Google for Startups’ first Investor in Residence for EMEA, he now advises the Google Black Founders Fund in Africa and actively champions African tech globally.
Alisa Sydow
Alisa Sydow is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ESCP Business School, London campus. She teaches entrepreneurship and corporate innovation with a strong focus on new technologies, impact, and emerging markets. Her research explores entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa, particularly in Kenya and South Africa. Alisa is also the founder of Nampelka, a platform connecting women entrepreneurs from developing countries with international experts to foster shared learning. She holds a PhD in Management and Innovation from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and is Academic Director of the MSc in Digital Transformation Management and Leadership.
Florence Bavanandan
Florence Bavanandan is Head of Platform and Operations at Launch Africa Ventures, where she focuses on delivering value beyond capital to founders and building scalable internal systems. Based in London, she works closely with portfolio companies across Africa to support growth, leadership, and operational excellence. Florence is an accredited Executive Coach and Civil & Commercial Mediator, with prior experience founding a consultancy that worked with organisations including HSBC and Apple. She previously held roles across startups, education, and venture capital, including as a VC Fellow at Included VC. Florence brings a people-first, execution-driven approach to scaling high-growth ventures.
Dario Giuliani
Dario Giuliani is the founder of Briter, a data and research platform focused on innovation, investment, and growth across emerging and frontier markets. His work sits at the intersection of socio-economic impact and technological change, spanning Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Through Briter, Dario helps investors, founders, and institutions make sense of complex ecosystems by transforming fragmented information into accessible, actionable insights. His research combines deep local knowledge with data-driven analysis, often relying on on-the-ground intelligence where formal data is limited. Dario is widely recognised for shaping informed narratives around emerging market innovation.