African European Radio Astronomy Platform hosts investment meeting

The African European Radio Astronomy Platform (AERAP) has hosted a breakfast meeting in to explore the options for supporting the contribution of venture capital to radio astronomy in Africa.

The event in Brussels, and attended by Horizon 2020 Projects, contributed to the debate on how investment in Africa-EU radio astronomy partnerships will support economic growth and human capital development on the continent. Africa has received growing interest from venture capitalists in the last few years on its path towards continuous development.

Investment in Africa’s research and innovation plays a pivotal role in tackling societal challenges, notably health, climate change, ICT, renewable energies, demographic changes and security. The global nature of the challenges mean there is a growing need for cross-border, multidisciplinary collaboration in scientific and technological research and development.

Speakers at the meeting included Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut and head of the 100 Year Starship initiative; Barbara James, founder and CEO of Henshaw Capital Partners; Kurt Zatloukal, vice-chair of the Institute of Pathology at the Medical University of Graz; and Lizbeth Goodman, chair of Creative Technology Innovation.