Africa Under The Venture Capital Spotlight | The Next Women ...

Guest article by Mike Lebus, co-founder of Angel Investment Network. Part of The NextWomen Africa Theme.

Africa has received a lot of interest from VC?s in the last few years as it continues to develop. The ever growing number of accelerators, tech hubs and angel networks appearing across Africa are further proof that entrepreneurship is flourishing in the region. The tech, web,?mobile and telecommunications sectors in particular are showing tremendous growth and are attracting a lot of interest from venture capitalists.?

Here is a list of 15 venture capital firms (some home-grown and some foreign) looking to take advantage of the opportunities Africa has to offer.

1. Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm EchoVC (http://www.echovc.com/), which has invested in companies such as LinkedIn, Betaworks, Facebook, Pandora and Bit.ly, has apparently committed around US$30 million to tech start-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Consumer Internet & Services, Mobile, Digital Media, Content & Advertising, Software, Services & Infrastructure.

2, San Francisco-based?I/O Ventures (http://www.ventures.io/) has launched a US$10 million fund?in Africa.? The Savannah Fund is a seed capital fund specializing in US$25,000 - US$500,000 investments in early stage high growth technology (web and mobile) startups in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially focused on East Africa, the fund aims to bridge the early stage/angel and venture capital investment gap that currently exists in Africa.

3. Invenfin (http://www.invenfin.co.za/) is a South African seed and?early stage venture capital?fund.?They are interested in all types of innovation in all sectors, so their funding requirements are flexible, but all investments?must have?unique intellectual property.

4. Sawari Ventures (http://www.sawariventures.com/) is a global venture capital firm focused on the Middle East & North Africa region. It is focused on early and growth-stage investing within tech media, telecoms, eCommerce and financial services.?

5. Fanisi Venture Capital Fund (http://www.fanisi.com/) is a venture capital fund established in Luxembourg to work with competitive and sustainable businesses across East Africa. Fanisi makes equity investments in high growth businesses across diverse industry sectors, focusing principally on companies with an established record but also reaching out to start ups and early stage companies.?Fanisi has a preference for investing in agribusiness, ICT, retail, financial services, education, ?and health.

6. Adlevo Capital (http://www.adlevocapital.com/) is a Mauritius-based private equity fund?established to capitalize on the growing demand for infrastructure and services in sub-Saharan Africa.? They target investments into technology-enabled infrastructure and services companies in sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on the Nigerian and South African markets.

7. 88pmh (http://www.88mph.ac/) makes investments in early stage mobile-web companies targeting the African market; focusing purely on ideas with potential to scale across Africa.? They invest up to US$100k per startup and make investments simultaneously in 10-12 startups.

8. East Africa Capital Partners (http://www.eacp.co.ke) is a technology, media and telecommunications sector-focused Venture Capital Fund Manager, investing in the greater Eastern Africa region. It specializes in carefully selected investments in technology, media & telecoms growth equities. EACP is currently actively investing funds from the $100m ATMT Fund 1, in the East African region.

9. eVentures Africa Fund (http://www.eva-fund.com/) is the first venture capital firm investing in African SME?s active in digital media.?Their focus is on internet and/or mobile applications, platforms, e-commerce and solution-providers.

10. Intel Capital (http://www.intelcapital.com/) has also entered the sub-Saharan Africa market. Marcin Hejka, managing director, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa for Intel Capital explained "Intel Capital is investing in the broad spectrum of technology opportunities including content, software and applications, consumer internet, e-commerce, data center and services; we are able to invest in technology companies at all stages of development, though majority of our investments happens at expansion stage".

11. Africa Media Venture Fund (http://www.amvf.nl/) mobilizes capital and experience in the Netherlands to invest in entrepreneurs in the media sector and small and medium sized African media companies.

12. KnifeCap (formerly PoweredbyVC) (http://www.knifecap.com/) is a Southern African growth equity fund manager focusing on technology-enabled ventures? It investment focus is on high growth, high impact technology-enabled businesses from South Africa and other frontier economies across Sub-Saharan Africa.

13. Hasso Plattner Ventures Africa (http://www.hp-ventures.co.za/) is an investment company based in South Africa. They invest in innovative technology companies with a proven track record of growth and a business model that is substantiated by the generation of historical revenue.?

14. 4Di Capital (http://www.4dicapital.com/) is an independent early-stage technology venture capital firm based in South Africa?s "Silicon Cape". They target startup investment opportunities with high growth potential at the seed- and early-stages in the mobile, enterprise software and web sectors.

15. Jacana Partners (http://www.jacanapartners.com/) is a pan-African private equity company that invests in entrepreneurs, builds successful small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and delivers sustainable financial and social returns. Their investment teams currently cover three countries in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) and three countries in West Africa (Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone). They invest in many different sectors but are particularly interested in markets like financial services, property, healthcare, technology, business services, insurance, education, manufacturing and agro-processing.

This is only a snapshot of some of the venture funds focusing on Africa.? Which other VC?s do you know that are offering funding to African companies?

This guest article was written by Mike Lebus, co-founder of Angel Investment Network, which has a network in South Africa (http://www.investmentnetwork.co.za/).

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono?/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Source: http://www.thenextwomen.com/2013/01/02/africa-under-venture-capital-spotlight

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Apple airs new iPhone 5 commercial, Dream

Apple has aired a new ad for the iPhone 5, this time focused on the Do Not Disturb feature that lets you turn off Notification Center alerts for set periods of time.

Just turn on Do Not Disturb and your iPhone 5 knows not to ring, unless it's a call you really want.

Apple has aired many feature-specific ads the past. The best of which lately was the panorama photography ad, Cheese. This one, Dream, featuring tennis-players playing ping pong, doesn't seem as good as that.

And sadly, it airs on the same day Do Not Disturb has failed for many people, due to the year incrementing to 2013.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/f0Ul5HRdzmM/story01.htm

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Lecturer in Statistics - HigherEdJobs

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Elon University seeks applicants for a full-time Lecturer position to begin mid-August 2013.
The successful candidate must have, at minimum, a Master's degree, earned by August 2013, in mathematics, statistics, mathematics education,
statistics education, or a closely related field. Candidates with experience in incorporating writing into the curriculum are encouraged to
apply.

Primary teaching responsibility will be in General Statistics with additional courses in Applied Calculus and Elon's General Studies program. Applicants must demonstrate the potential for excellence in teaching in a liberal arts setting and a commitment to professional development and service. For more information about the department and its curriculum, visit the department's website: http://www.elon.edu/eweb/academics/elon_college/mathematics_statistics/.

Elon is a dynamic private, co-educational, comprehensive institution that is a national model for actively engaging faculty and students in teaching and learning. To learn more about Elon, please visit the University web site at http://www.elon.edu.

Review of complete applications will begin immediately, but for full consideration, completed applications must be received by February 1, 2013. Email letter of application, CV, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, statement of teaching philosophy, and three letters of recommendation (letters must be e-mailed directly from each reference with your name in the subject line) to the department chair, Dr. Ayesha Delpish, at elonmathstats@elon.edu.

Elon University is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175706170

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Manchester United cruises to 4-0 win over Wigan

Associated Press Sports

updated 3:34 p.m. ET Jan. 1, 2013

WIGAN, England (AP) -Two goals apiece from strikers Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a routine 4-0 victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium on Tuesday that maintained the visitors' seven-point lead in the English Premier League.

Hernandez opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a strike from close range before van Persie doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Hernandez added his second in the 63rd and Van Persie matched the Mexico international in the 88th when he closed out the scoring.

Van Persie's brace moves him to 64 goals in 76 league games since January 2011. His 18th goal in all competitions this season was one of his best, calmly stepping inside Ivan Ramis before firing into the corner with his supposedly weaker right foot. And as he tapped Danny Welbeck's square ball into an empty net in stoppage time, Van Persie extended his recent record to eight goals in his last eight games.

"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. He has great international experience, he's played for Arsenal for seven years and he came to us at the very peak of his career," said United manager Alex Ferguson, who spent 24 million pounds (then $38 million) on signing Van Persie from Arsenal in August.

"His ability to make and take goals is fantastic. His play for his first goal was absolutely magnificent, his turn, his balance, no drawback, just side footed it in. It was a really good goal."

United's failure to get to grips with Wigan's three-man defence in the corresponding fixture last term that condemned them to a defeat, which triggered the downward spiral that cost them the title last season.

And they were in no mood to be similarly exposed this time around.

Ferguson filled his midfield, denying Roberto Martinez's men the space to implement their preferred passing game.

"We didn't have the legs or the reaction and you have to congratulate Manchester United," Martinez said. "They had the luxury of making changes and Van Persie and Hernandez looked brighter and sharper. In the end it was a mismatch."

The Latics were forced into far more long balls than normal and though the first 25 minutes lacked penalty-box action, slowly United were draining the life out of their opponents.

And when Jonny Evans nipped in front of Arouna Kone to intercept Gary Caldwell's poorly-hit clearance, the Northern Irishman advanced far enough to divert Tom Cleverley's square ball into the path of Patrice Evra.

After an air shot, Evra let fly with a low stinger that Al Habsi could not hold, allowing Hernandez to pounce from close range.

It was the Mexican's 11th goal of the season and his 30th overall in the Premier League for United. Remarkably, all 30 have come from inside the area.

With the visitors now turning the screw, Wigan desperately needed to reach the interval without conceding again.

But Van Persie ensured they did not make it.

After a mix-up in midfield gifted United possession deep inside the Wigan half, the hosts could not afford Ramis' slip, which allowed Van Persie a couple of extra seconds to decide what to do with Hernandez's pass.

Ramis recovered his ground, only for Van Persie to step inside the defender and find the far corner with a right-footed effort of unerring accuracy.

Other than a close offside call that went against Kone, who tapped home Franco di Santo's low cross, the visitors were completely dominant.

No one could begrudge them their third, just after the hour, when Van Persie's free kick deflected into Hernandez's path. The striker was once again in the box to deliver the first-time finish.

And fittingly it was Van Persie who had the last word two minutes from time.

The win gives United a seven-point cushion over defending champions and Manchester rivals City. Wigan drops to 17th.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Chargers coach Turner assumes he'll be fired

SAN DIEGO - Chargers coach Norv Turner sounded like a coach resigned to his fate.

"We're going to meet tomorrow and with the team and I'm sure they will start looking for a new coach," said an emotional Turner about his future with the Chargers after they earned a 24-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday before 66,486 at Qualcomm Stadium.

"To have a career in this league means a lot," Turner continued. "These six years have been awesome for me and to be part of this organization and to lead this group of guys...they know how I feel. Nothing's guaranteed in terms of what you're doing. I think we've worked hard to make the most out of every situation we've been put in.

"As I said, I feel fortunate to have been here the last six years. It's emotional. There's a lot going on."

Turner addressed the players after the game.

"It was emotional and he talked about how we didn't do exactly what we wanted to do, but these last couple of weeks have been real special," said kickoff-punt returner Micheal Spurlock on Turner's postgame speech. "Everyone else can speculate and do all of those things, but as far as I know, he's still my coach."

Turner's dismissal has been the subject of published reports for weeks. Charger general manager A.J. Smith also is expected to be fired. His status also is expected to be determined Monday.

The duo's expected demise didn't affect the team's performance Sunday, as the Chargers (7-9) swept their AFC West rival and earned their third win in a row over Oakland (4-12).

"We're already looking forward to next year," said Raiders running back Darren McFadden, who managed just 57 yards on 19 carries and didn't record a run of more than eight yards.

Two touchdown passes by quarterback Philip Rivers helped pave the way for the Chargers, though both teams struggled offensively. Rivers completed 13 of 17 passes for 151 yards with no interceptions, while his counterpart, Terrelle Pryor, finished 13 of 28 for 150 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Pryor, who made his first start as a pro, replacing the injured Carson Palmer, also ran for 49 yards and a score.

Overall, the Raiders finished with 265 yards of offense to only 210 for San Diego. Oakland also compiled more rushing yards than the Chargers - 115-70.

The Chargers started with a bang. Spurlock, who returned a punt for a touchdown in the previous week's win over the Jets, opened the game against Oakland with a 99-yard kickoff return for a 7-0 Chargers lead.

"It was unbelievable," Spurlock said.

San Diego increased the margin to 10-0 on a 30-yard field goal by Nick Novak with 4:11 left in the first quarter.

The Raiders cut the gap to 10-7 when Pryor tossed his first touchdown pass as a pro, a nine-yard reception by wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with 12:11 remaining in the second quarter.

"He just called the play in the huddle, so I knew he was going to throw it up to me," Heyward-Bey said. "I went up there and made the play for him. It was good to get his first touchdown out of the way so we could move on."

The Chargers answered with a 14-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 9:23. It concluded with an 11-yard scoring pass from Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates with 2:48 left in the half for a 17-7 advantage.

In the third quarter, Rivers connected with wide receiver Danario Alexander on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 4:59 left for a 24-7 lead.

Pryor's three-yard run with 7:43 remaining in the game pulled Oakland to within 24-14.

After Oakland's Coye Francies blocked a Mike Scifres punt and Kaelin Burnett recovered it at the San Diego 11, Pryor hit wide receiver Denarius Moore with 1:52 left, slicing the Chargers' advantage to 24-21.

However, San Diego recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. The clock on Turner could expire Monday.

"It was emotional as it was the last game," Chargers safety Eric Weddle said. "After the game it was pretty emotional because we don't know what's going to happen. We have a lot of love for Norv and what he's done for us, including myself. He helped grow me to the player that I am. He had a lot to do with that."

Source: http://chicagotribune.feedsportal.com/c/34253/f/622872/s/2711192a/l/0L0Schicagotribune0N0Csports0Cbreaking0Cchi0Enorv0Eturner0Echargers0Enew0Ecoach0E20A121230A0H0A0H38585680Bstory0Dtrack0Frss/story01.htm

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Obama skeptical of NRA proposal to put more guns in schools

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast on Sunday he hopes to get new U.S. gun control measures passed during the first year of his second term and is skeptical of a proposal by the National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby to put armed guards in schools.

Obama assigned Vice President Joe Biden to lead a task force to come up with proposals on guns at the beginning of 2013 after the massacre of 20 children and six adults by a gunman at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, this month.

"I'd like to get it done in the first year. I will put forward a very specific proposal based on the recommendations that Joe Biden's task force is putting together as we speak. And so this is not something that I will be putting off," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview taped on Saturday.

"I am not going to prejudge the recommendations that are given to me. I am skeptical that the only answer is putting more guns in schools. And I think the vast majority of the American people are skeptical that that somehow is going to solve our problem," he said.

The influential NRA has said new gun laws are not a good answer and has called for some form of armed guards to be present in all U.S. schools.

Obama, who said the shooting was the worst day of his presidency, attended a memorial service for the Newtown victims and promised he would take swift action to prevent further massacres like that one from being repeated.

The president has faced criticism for failing to take on the gun lobby after other mass shootings that have occurred during his time in office. While bristling at the criticism, the president has indicated that this time something will get done.

"I'm going to be putting forward a package and I'm going to be putting my full weight behind it. And I'm going to be making an argument to the American people about why this is important and why we have to do everything we can to make sure that something like what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary does not happen again," he said in the interview.

"And the question then becomes whether we are actually shook up enough by what happened here that it does not just become another one of these routine episodes where it gets a lot of attention for a couple of weeks and then it drifts away. It certainly won't feel like that to me."

Gun control is a divisive issue in the United States, where the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Constitution, and the NRA has significant political sway.

Proponents of tighter gun laws hope that not having to run for re-election again will give Obama a strengthened hand, but any legislative measures would have to pass the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has been reluctant to support initiatives proposed by the Democratic president.

(Editing by Sandra Maler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-skeptical-nra-proposal-put-more-guns-schools-140838269.html

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