Sylvia Brune, a dynamic entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, has significantly contributed to Africa’s tech ecosystem through her innovative ventures and leadership.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration & Chinese, and a Master’s in Organisational Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Copenhagen Business School.
She also studied Philosophy, Linguistics, and Chinese Studies at the University of Oslo, including a six-month period at Fudan University in Shanghai.
Brune’s journey into the tech industry began serendipitously in 2008 when she volunteered to organize a startup idea award show, despite having no prior knowledge of startups or entrepreneurship.
This experience led her to become the first employee at Startupbootcamp, where she met Kresten Buch. Together with Nikolai Barnwell, they launched 88mph, Africa’s first accelerator program, investing in 45 companies across Nairobi, Cape Town, and Lagos from 2011 to 2015.
In 2015, Brune co-founded AHOY, a concierge flight booking app that empowered frequent travelers with DIY tools and 24/7 support for flight management.
The platform served expansion teams from companies like Uber, MEST, Buzzfeed, and betPawa. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, AHOY ceased operations in 2021.
Undeterred by this setback, Brune launched pawaPass, an inclusive verification platform designed to address the challenges African consumers face in accessing online services and the fraud risks businesses encounter. pawaPass enables user verification through biometrics captured on any smartphone, eliminating the need for government-issued IDs.
The platform offers bespoke compliance solutions for enterprises, utilizing a combination of low-touch data points, non-ID-based user verification, and anti-duplication technology to ensure online security and combat fraud.
Brune’s leadership at pawaPass reflects her commitment to fostering trust in Africa’s digital economy.
By providing secure and accessible verification solutions, pawaPass facilitates access to opportunities such as remote jobs, online trade, and financial services for a broader segment of the African population.
Throughout her career, Brune has emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs and fostering creativity within her team.
She believes that good people are inherently creative and that testing ideas with real users is crucial to developing effective solutions.
Sylvia Brune’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her resilience and dedication to leveraging technology for social good.
Her ventures have not only addressed critical challenges in Africa’s tech landscape but have also paved the way for increased digital inclusion and economic empowerment across the continent.
