Counder Conference 2026 will bring 500 hand-selected global business leaders to Cape Town for a three-day gathering focused on emerging markets and international collaboration. In a recent CNBC Africa interview, Counder co-founder Michel Weiss explained how the invitation-only conference creates trusted environments for meaningful conversations between international investors and African leaders, designed to foster partnerships and drive foreign direct investment. The event positions Cape Town as a world-class destination for global business discussions, featuring prominent figures from finance, technology, and sports investment sectors.
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Counder Conference and Beyond
Connecting Visionary Leaders to collaborate on tomorrow’s most important opportunities.
Be Part of CounderPeople
A collective of visionary investors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, academics, and global influencers from finance, technology, the arts, and beyond, united by a forward-thinking mindset and a passion for collaboration.
Purpose
We build trusted relationships that spark meaningful partnerships, co-investments, philanthropy, and purposeful innovation.
Progress
Jointly with our members and selected world-class organisations, we enable global innovation—transforming ambitious ideas into purpose-driven, profitable outcomes.
A Home for Visionary Leaders
We are home for distinguished global leaders and world-class organisations shaping tomorrow's most important opportunities through trusted connections, meaningful collaboration and decisive action. As of our 2025 & 2026 flagship conferences, they include:
Christian zu Fürstenberg
Family Office, Haus Fürstenberg Holding
Shola Akinlade
Co-Founder & CEO, Paystack
Tanja Werheit
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Cape Town
Jan Deepen
Founding Partner, Discovery Ventures
Aguil Deng
Corporate Philanthropy Africa, Bloomberg
Hans Otterling
Partner, Norrsken22
Louis Norval
Founder, Norval Foundation | Investor
Karl Westvig
CEO, TymeBank | Private Investor
Anuradha Das Mathur
Chair, IMA Policy Forum
Angelica Adamski
Private Investor
Mato Perić
Technology Entrepreneur & Investor
Maurizio Caio
Founder & Managing Partner, TLcom Capital LLP
Karima El Hakim
Director, Plug N Play
Eric Idiahi
CEO, Evercorp Industries
Florian Schauenburg
CEO & Owner, Schauenburg International
Kola Aina
CEO, Ventures Platform
Michael Jordaan
Founder & CEO, Montegray Capital | Venture Capitalist
Sherine Kabesh
CEO, Flash
Philipp Graf Schack von Wittenau
Family Office
Moritz Elleke
Family Office
André Kanya
Founding Partner, w3.fund
Başar Canıperk
Entrepreneur & Investor
James Boardman
Partner, Grey Heron Venture Partners
Bas Hochstenbach
Parter, E4E Africa
Ido Sum
Partner, TLcom Capital
Leonard Stiegeler
Private Investor & Chairman, Counder
Mark Miller
Managing Partner, Carlsquare
Claudia Zeisberger
Professor of Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise, INSEAD | Investor
Philipp Ströhemann
Private Investor
Nick Ackerman
Partner, Lionhead Capital Partners
Stephan Thor Stubner
Professor, HHL & Stellenbosch University
Tom Boardman
Investor & Entrepreneur
Thilo von Selchow
Family Office
Andrew da Costa
Co-founder and Partner, The Intrepid.
Caroline Greyling
Museum Director, Norval Foundation
Dr. Jonathan Doerr
Partner, Antler
Dr. Oliver Merkel
Founder & Managing Director, Flink SE | Private Investor
Bastian Gotter
Founder & Angel Investor
Manuel Koser
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Silvertree Brands
Johan Bosini
Partner, Quona Capital
Soren Martius
Founder, Terramate
Andrew Stewart
Partner, Level One Fund
Jonathan Cordero
Private Investor
Christopher Joondeph
Content Creator, authentic_traveling
David Torr
Co-Founder & CEO, FARO
Elias Gallego
VP, Business Development, Marketing & Media, Sporty Group
Felix Leonhardt
Managing Partner, Oyster Bay Venture Capital
Frank Mccosker
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Africa Bridge Fund
Gidon Novick
Entrepreneur & Investor, Circle Senior Living
Heribert Trunk
Founder, Chance Youth Foundation
Keet van Zyl
High-Growth Venture Investor | Co-Founder, Knife Capital
Kelley Starke
Founder & CEO, Kensani Capital
Michael Power
Consultant, Kaskazi
Mike Joubert
Founder, Billybo Group | Chairman, Viya Health
Natalie Jabangwe
Board Member | Group Chief Digital Officer| Former CEO, EcoCash Zw
Nina Verder
Principal Operator-Investor, Secha Capital
Omar Khashaba
General Partner, Algebra Ventures
Steven Grin
Managing Partner, Lateral Frontiers VC
Wrenelle Stander
Chief Executive Officer, Wesgro Tourism
Nicolaas Marais
Chairman & Co-Founder, Carmel Wealth
James Stewart
Partner, Level One Fund
Reyburn Hendricks
Director, H1 Holdings
Gregor Unger
Managing Partner, caesar.
James Bailes
Co-Founder, Castlelton Capital
James Mwangi
Founder & CEO, Africa Climate Ventures
Deetje Scannell
Private Investor
Joshin Raghubar
CEO, iKineo Ventures
Tom Villinger
CEO, D11Z.Ventures
Karin Pickard Louis
Chair, Kaapstad Sakekamer
Michael Louis
Chairman, WestProp Holdings
Basetsana Kumalo
Executive Chairman & CEO of Basetsana Woman Investment Holdings
Counder Calendar
At Counder, we know true progress thrives at the intersection of trusted connections, groundbreaking insights, and immersive experiences. As part of our Counder Calendar, we curate an exclusive schedule of curated events and engagements — from intimate dinners to front row seats at epic events — designed to foster meaningful connections and collaboration in unique, memorable settings.
Our Collective fosters exclusive collaborations, strategic co-investments, and impactful outcomes. Whether you're a visionary investor seeking new frontiers or a leading pioneer in your field, Counder creates experiences for visionary leaders to connect, exchange & collaborate.
PFL Johannesburg with Siya Kolisi & Jessica Motaung
Africa Collective Lunch at Art Basel with Kola Aina
Counder Dinner Berlin with André Kanya
PFL Dinner Cape Town with Donn Davis
PFL Cape Town with Nicholas Ackerman & Bastian Gotter
Business Leader Evening with Karin Pickard Louis & Dr Michael Louis
Counder Dinner Cologne with Dirk Ströer, Constantin Lennert & Marco Neuhaus
Counder Dinner Düsseldorf with Thilo von Selchow
Counder Dinner Berlin with Mariama Boumanjal
Champions League Cape Town with Bastian Schweinsteiger
Counder Dinner Cape Town with Tanja Werheit & Wrenelle Stander
Latest on Counder
Counder Live on CNBC Africa
Counder Conference 2026 will bring 500 hand-selected global business leaders to Cape Town for a three-day gathering focused on emerging markets and international collaboration. In a recent CNBC Africa interview, Counder co-founder Michel Weiss explained how the invitation-only conference creates trusted environments for meaningful conversations between international investors and African leaders, designed to foster partnerships and drive foreign direct investment. The event positions Cape Town as a world-class destination for global business discussions, featuring prominent figures from finance, technology, and sports investment sectors.
Counder Live on CNBC Africa ▼
Counder Conference 2026 Unveils African Themes & Attendees Following South Africa’s G20 Presidency ▼
CNBC Africa reports that Counder Conference 2026 has unveiled African-focused themes and confirmed high-profile attendees for its January 27-29 gathering in Cape Town, strategically timed to follow South Africa's G20 presidency. The invitation-only event will welcome 500 global leaders to explore Africa's rising importance through themes like "South Africa: At a Crossroads," "Nigeria: Bold and Untapped," and "The Continent's Century." Confirmed African participants include Louis Norval, Michael Jordaan, Kola Aina, and Sherine Kabesh, alongside international leaders like Anuradha Das Mathur and Sudeep Ramnani. Hosted at prestigious venues including the Norval Foundation and German Residence, the Conference aims to sustain momentum from South Africa's global recognition by creating trusted spaces for private sector collaboration and cross-border partnerships.
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Counder Conference Returns for 2026 Edition ▼
Counder Conference 2026 will bring 500 hand-selected global business leaders to Cape Town for a three-day gathering focused on emerging markets and international collaboration. In a recent CNBC Africa interview, Counder co-founder Michel Weiss explained how the invitation-only conference creates trusted environments for meaningful conversations between international investors and African leaders, designed to foster partnerships and drive foreign direct investment. The event positions Cape Town as a world-class destination for global business discussions, featuring prominent figures from finance, technology, and sports investment sectors.
Read Full Article
Counder Conference Confirms High-Profile Venues & Attendees ▼
CNBC Africa covered Counder Conference 2025, which took place January 29-31 in Cape Town with 500 high-profile global and African investors participating. The exclusive gathering featured prestigious venues including the German Consul's official residence, the Norval Foundation, and The Lawns overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Notable attendees included Shola Akinlade (Paystack co-founder), Dr. Michael Jordaan (Montegray Capital CEO), Tom Boardman (African Rainbow Capital), Kuseni Dlamini (Massmart Chairman), and representatives from international family offices and funds like Norrsken22, TLCom, and Grey Heron Venture Partners, creating a platform for transformative collaboration between global capital and Africa's investment opportunities.
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Counder Conference 2025 Set For Cape Town ▼
CNBC Africa reported on Counder Conference 2025, which took place January 29-31 in Cape Town. The exclusive three-day event brought together global family offices, institutional investors, and regional experts to explore investment opportunities across key African growth sectors including consumer retail, real estate, hospitality, and technology. Hosted in partnership with Carlsquare (a leading European M&A investment bank), the conference featured focused sector discussions, networking experiences, and deep-dive sessions designed to facilitate face-to-face connections between global capital and Africa's investment potential in Cape Town's world-class setting.
Read Full ArticleTo serve our Collective, Counder is structured around four pillars.
Counder
Conference
Counder
Conference
Counder Conference is the gathering of visionary investors, industry-leading experts, and world-class organisations to explore tomorrow’s most important opportunities together. Sharing experiences and insights with hand-selected global leaders in a stunning, natural environment creates a uniquely trusted, connected, and collaborative exchange.
Learn more
Counder
Calendar
Counder
Calendar
Counder Calendar is our exclusive schedule of curated events and engagements designed to unite visionary leaders in shared experiences, dialogue, and discovery. Events range from private member-only gatherings to strategic collaborations with select world-class partners, fostering connections that drive meaningful insights and opportunities
Be Part of Counder
Counder
Context
Counder
Context
Counder Context is a distinctive curation of insights crafted by and for visionary leaders, designed to provide the right context to explore tomorrow's most important opportunities. Through expert reports, selected newsletters and more, Counder Context keeps our members ahead of emerging trends and market shifts.
Be Part of Counder
Counder
Connect
Counder
Connect
Counder Connect is our evolving digital platform that seamlessly facilitates ongoing introductions and value creation amongst members and partners. Beyond events, Counder Connect aims to ensure continuous engagement and collaboration for those who choose to participate.
Be Part of CounderWhy Counder?
'Counder' [kown•duh] is a name that embodies the spirit of the visionary leadership network it represents.
It draws from a blend of words that capture its essence: a Collective of Funders, Founders, and Leaders, building new Connections and offering Counters to outdated perspectives. At its core, Counder is about embracing emerging trends and markets together — and sparking trusted Collaborations driving meaningful, forward-looking impact in the world.
Our Values
At Counder we forge high-trust relationships, co-create groundbreaking insights and drive purposeful, profitable global innovation through...
Trust
Integrity and openness define our high-trust environment. We carefully select members and partners to foster authentic dialogue, effective collaboration, and meaningful outcomes.
Experiences
Our flagship Cape Town conference and curated gatherings blend inspiring locations with sophisticated programming, deepening connections and catalysing transformative outcomes.
Collaboration
Collaboration bridges industries, bringing visionary leaders together to ignite fresh ideas, generate shared insights, and seize tomorrow's opportunities together.
Innovation
Curiosity and bold thinking fuel our innovative spirit. By spotlighting breakthrough ideas and enabling experimentation, we empower our collective to actively shape meaningful progress.
Still have questions?
Do you have questions about Counder, our conference or other aspects? Would you like to become a sponsoring partner or want to find out more about what we do? We are here to help. See our FAQs or send us a message. Our team is looking forward to receiving your message and will be in touch.
Send Us a Message