Draft:A2SV - Africa to Silicon Valley
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| Submission declined on 25 November 2024 by JJPMaster (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by JJPMaster 8 days ago.
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Comment: The main problem here is that it appears as if every single work cited is a primary source, and those are generally insufficient to establish notability. JJPMaster (she/they) 18:18, 25 November 2024 (UTC)
A2SV - Africa to Silicon Valley
[edit]Introduction
[edit]A2SV - Africa to Silicon Valley is a non-profit organization that provides training and resources to high-potential software engineers in Africa.[1] The organization collaborates with technology companies, including Google, Palantir, Databricks, Bloomberg, and Meta, to connect participants with global opportunities.[2]
Overview
[edit]| Type of organization | Non-profit tech academy and incubator |
|---|---|
| Founded | November 2019 |
| Founder | Emre Varol |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Area served | Africa-wide (in-person and remote programs) |
| Key partnerships | Google, Palantir, Meta Platforms, Databricks, Bloomberg |
| Programs offered | Software engineering education, tech incubator |
| Mission | Provide technical education and career development opportunities for African youth |
| Website | a2sv.org |
| Current status | Active |
History
[edit]A2SV - Africa to Silicon Valley was founded by Emre Varol, a software engineer with extensive experience in global technology companies. The initiative began with the goal of bridging the talent-to-opportunity gap for young engineers in Africa. Over the years, A2SV has expanded its reach and programs to support students across the continent.
2019/2020 - Generation 1
[edit]The first group, Generation 1, consisted of 21 students who participated in the initial pilot program. This cohort established the foundation for A2SV's model and demonstrated its potential impact.
2020/2021 - Generation 2
[edit]In 2020/2021, Generation 2 expanded to include 30 students. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this group advanced A2SV’s mission, with several participants securing roles in leading tech companies.
2021/2022 - Generation 3
[edit]By 2021/2022, A2SV introduced its program at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), growing its reach to approximately 101 students. Some graduates took on leadership roles within A2SV to support future cohorts.
2022/2023 - Generation 4
[edit]In 2022/2023, A2SV launched its first in-person program in Ghana and introduced remote learning. This cohort included 166 in-person students and 32 remote participants from various African countries.
2023/2024 - Generation 5
[edit]Generation 5 became A2SV’s largest and most diverse cohort, with 198 in-person students and 94 remote learners from 25 African countries. Participants engaged in internships and contributed to community-focused projects.
Impact
[edit]A2SV’s work has had a broad impact across several key areas:
- Economic: A2SV has helped graduates secure roles in global technology companies, contributing to job creation and economic growth across Africa.[3]
- Education: The program supplements traditional education with practical, hands-on training, preparing students for careers in competitive technology fields. Alumni often return to mentor new participants, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
- Social and Technological Advancement: A2SV supports the development of innovative projects that address challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, and community development.
- Cultural Exchange: By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, A2SV promotes collaboration and mutual understanding, creating a united tech community across Africa.
Notable Projects Incubated by A2SV
[edit]SkillBridge
[edit]SkillBridge is a mobile app designed to assist Ethiopian high school students in preparing for their national exams and improving academic performance.[4]
Akil
[edit]Akil is a platform that connects young professionals in Ethiopia with volunteering opportunities, internships, and jobs, fostering career development through partnerships with businesses.[5]
AfroChat
[edit]AfroChat is an AI-powered platform designed to make artificial intelligence accessible across Africa. It provides tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to integrate AI into daily tasks, enhancing productivity and creativity.[6]
Eskalate
[edit]Eskalate simplifies the hiring process for companies by connecting them with pre-vetted remote software developers in Africa.[7]
Adot
[edit]Adot is a health platform offering AI-based support, culturally tailored information, and health tracking tools to improve women’s health outcomes across Africa.[8]
RateEat
[edit]RateEat is a platform where users can rate and review meals, enhancing their dining experiences and providing valuable feedback for restaurants.[9]
Beyond these, A2SV continues to develop impactful projects for students and professionals.
A2SV Hackathon
[edit]The A2SV Hackathon is an annual event that empowers young African tech talent to tackle real-world issues using AI technology.
The first hackathon, held in 2023, received over 3,700 registrations from 587 schools across 47 African countries, generating 500+ project ideas, with 40 teams reaching the semi-finals. The Grand Finale in Ethiopia featured 9 teams from Tunisia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Algeria, and Cameroon.[10]
The second hackathon, held in 2024, grew to nearly 5,000 registrations from over 1,000 schools in 48 countries, with 690 project ideas and 8 finalist teams from Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia.[11]
Leadership
[edit]The A2SV Leadership Team is composed of highly experienced professionals from the technology and education sectors, each contributing their unique expertise to drive A2SV’s mission forward.
Board Members
[edit]The A2SV Board includes industry leaders and experts:
- Emre Varol: Ex-Google, Palantir & Liftoff; Software & ML Engineer
- Brian Bell: Ex-Upwork; Sales & Staffing
- Roger Kirwin: Ex-Square; Sales & Go-to-Market
- Bahadir Bolukbasi: Ex-Yahoo!; Product & Marketing
- Yordanos Asmare: Ex-Liftoff; Stanford & Oxford Alumni; Talent & Community
- Noam Shany: Promised Land Venture; Managing Director
- Serhat Yilmaz: Meta/Facebook; Tech Lead
- Elefelious Belay: Dean of Engineering, Addis Ababa University
Executive Team
[edit]The A2SV Executive Team oversees the daily operations and strategic direction of the organization:
- Emre Varol: Founder & CEO
- Yordanos Asmare: Head of Talent & Partnerships
- Brian Bell: Head of Business
- Ali Gurlek: Head of Operations
- Mark Rivera: Head of Fundraising
- Jessica McDonald: Head of Fundraising
- Marlene Arroyo: Head of Human Resources
References
[edit]- "A2SV Official Website". A2SV. Africa to Silicon Valley. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "A2SV: Empowering African Youth". A2SV. Africa to Silicon Valley. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Google Deploys Funding to A2SV as Part of Their Support for Diverse African Tech Talent". Yahoo Finance. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "A2SV Receives Funding from Google". Business Insider. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "SkillBridge: Empowering Ethiopian Students". SkillBridge. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Akil: Bridging Opportunities". Akil. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "AfroChat: AI for Africa". AfroChat. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "A2SV Launches New Staffing Arm, Eskalate, to Connect African Tech Talent with Companies Around the World, and Expands Executive Team to Lead the Initiative". Street Insider. 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Adot: AI and Health". Adot. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "RateEat: Enhancing Dining Experiences". RateEat. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "A2SV Hackathon 2023 Summary". A2SV Hackathon. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "A2SV Hackathon 2024 Highlights". A2SV Hackathon. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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