Monthly RoundUp - December 2025

DECEMBER WRAP-UP | Finishing the Year with Stronger Networks & New Expertise

As 2025 draws to a close, December brought us back to Casablanca, introduced new faces to the Chapter54 program, launched a new perk  and gave us space to reflect on the kind of support that truly helps scaleups thrive. 

👋 Welcome, Claire!

We’re excited to welcome Claire Lavielle as the newest member of the Chapter54 team! Based in Nigeria, Claire joins us after serving with the French Treasury in Lagos and previously contributing to the innovation unit of the Agence Française de Développement. She has also led digital sales and marketing for a tech startup in Niger and even organized a rap and hip-hop concert in Niamey to raise funds for two orphanages. Connect with Claire on LinkedIn and follow her journey as our new Scaleup Success Officer at Chapter54.

🌍 Casablanca & AFIS: Finance, Innovation & Connections

We ended the year with a strong presence at the Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS) in Casablanca. Alongside scaleups Myriad and IBS Bulgaria, we also hosted a “Financial Innovation Breakfast” with over 40 business leaders, held at the newly opened Le Square by ONOMO Hotels, thanks to our mentor Kenza Berrada.

It was the perfect closing note: productive meetings, meaningful exchanges, and a setting that reflects where African financial innovation is heading.

💼 Welcome, François-Xavier Mahot

We were delighted to welcome François-Xavier Mahot to our mentor network. With 25+ years in FMCG and beverage leadership across Africa, the Middle East and Europe, including senior roles at Heineken, Kenafric, and Somdia, François-Xavier brings rare depth in turnarounds and (digital) transformation. A perfect fit for our “by doers, with doers, for doers” approach.

📣 Kawarizmi Becomes a Chapter54 Perk Provider

One of our earliest alumni, Kawarizmi, is now offering an exclusive perks package for current and future Chapter54 scaleups. From campaign launch to premium placements and creative strategy, their team, with a footprint in Paris, Abidjan, Casablanca, and Algiers, is here to help your brand connect with African and diaspora audiences.

🎯 Explore the offer at www.kawarizmi.com

🎤 Chapter54 at EMERGING Valley

To round out the year, Benjamin Auschitzky, our Scaleup Success Manager, took the stage at EMERGING Valley in Aix-en-Provence to speak about expansion and internationalization for early-stage startups — part of a broader dialogue connecting Europe and Africa’s tech ecosystems.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey this year, let’s keep building together in 2026!

🔔 New year, new opportunities. Subscribe to our newsletter, Daraja, at www.chapter54.com.