Vivacity Development convenes Investors Connect to boost capital pathways for founders

Vivacity Development convenes Investors Connect to boost capital pathways for founders

Vivacity Development in collaboration with First founders and Codub Consulting successfully convened Investors Connect 2026, a high-level platform designed to bridge the gap between visionary founders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders working to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship across emerging markets.

The convening brought together a diverse community of venture capital leaders, startup founders, policy experts, and ecosystem enablers for a day of strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing, and relationship building aimed at unlocking new capital pathways and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Investors Connect 2026 forms part of Vivacity Development’s broader commitment to fostering innovation-driven economies, enabling collaboration across borders, and ensuring that founders particularly those operating in emerging markets gain access to the networks, insights, and capital required to scale impactful ventures.

Leadership Insights on Talent, Capital and Ecosystem Growth

Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, speaking on “Key Insights and Commitments on Talent, Trade and Transformation: Building Nigeria’s Workforce,” emphasized that “Nigeria’s workforce transformation requires intentional investment in talent development, stronger trade linkages, and cross-sector collaboration to unlock productivity and global competitiveness. The future of work in emerging economies will be shaped by how well we align skills with opportunity and innovation.”

Demi Ariyo, in his session “Scaling Innovation Economies: Capital, Trade and High Growth Ventures,” noted that “scaling innovation economies demands not just capital, but smart capital, investment that understands markets, supports founders long-term, and leverages trade as a vehicle for expansion. High-growth ventures thrive where finance, policy, and market access intersect effectively.”

Another major highlight was a session delivered by Takuma Terakubo titled “Lessons from Founders, Investors & Ecosystem Builders.” Drawing on insights from global startup ecosystems, he shared that “strong ecosystems are not built overnight, they are the result of consistent collaboration, trust-building, and shared learning between founders and investors. Sustainable innovation comes from communities that prioritize long-term value over short-term wins.”

Also contributing to the dialogue, Patrick Dunne highlighted that “for emerging ecosystems to truly scale, investors must move beyond transactional funding to becoming strategic partners therefore bringing governance, networks, and discipline that help ventures grow sustainably while unlocking broader economic impact.”

Learning from Ecosystem Builders and Investment Leaders

The discussions highlighted the importance of:

Long-term ecosystem building rather than transactional investment relationships

Knowledge sharing between founders and investors

Building trust and alignment across stakeholders in emerging innovation ecosystems

The sessions reinforced that thriving startup ecosystems are built through strong communities, strategic mentorship, and sustained collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions.

A Platform for Connection, Collaboration and Capital

Investors Connect 2026 also provided participants with structured networking sessions and curated engagement opportunities designed to facilitate meaningful relationships between founders and investors.

Globally, platforms that connect startups with investors have proven to be powerful catalysts for innovation ecosystems by enabling founders to showcase their ideas, access mentorship, and explore potential funding opportunities through direct interaction with capital providers.

Through curated conversations and ecosystem dialogue, the event created space for founders to gain actionable insights on investment readiness, market expansion strategies, and navigating the evolving global venture landscape.

Strengthening the Future of Work and Innovation

The event aligns with the broader mission of Vivacity Development to drive innovation, economic empowerment, and workforce transformation through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Under the leadership of Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, the organization has convened global dialogues across platforms including the United Nations General Assembly and international climate and development forums to advance conversations around the future of work, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.

Vivacity Development’s initiatives focus on equipping entrepreneurs and professionals with the networks, insights, and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy shaped by digital transformation, sustainability transitions, and emerging technologies.

Outcomes and Impact

Investors Connect 2026 generated several key outcomes:

Strengthened collaboration between founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders

Deeper dialogue on the intersection of capital access, policy, and founder development

New opportunities for partnerships and investment exploration among participants

Strategic insights on building resilient startup ecosystems in emerging markets

The convening reaffirmed the importance of creating intentional spaces where innovators, investors, and policymakers can collectively shape solutions that drive sustainable economic growth.

About Vivacity Development

Vivacity Development is a global development and innovation organization focused on advancing entrepreneurship, workforce development, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.

Through high-level convenings, strategic partnerships, and development initiatives, the organization works to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen ecosystems, and drive collaborative solutions that support sustainable development and future-ready economies.

Vivacity Development continues to build platforms that connect ideas with capital, innovators with opportunity, and policy with action—ensuring that emerging economies remain active participants in shaping the future of global innovation.