Sylvia Brune, a visionary entrepreneur with over a decade of experience, has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s tech landscape through her innovative ventures and leadership. Her journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and a commitment to digital inclusion.
With a strong academic foundation, Brune holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration & Chinese and a Master’s in Organisational Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Copenhagen Business School. Additionally, she studied Philosophy, Linguistics, and Chinese Studies at the University of Oslo, including a six-month stint at Fudan University in Shanghai.
Brune’s launch into the tech industry began unexpectedly in 2008 when she volunteered to organize a startup idea award show—an experience that sparked her passion for entrepreneurship.
This 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, which invested 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 revolutionized travel for frequent flyers. The platform served expansion teams from global companies like Uber, MEST, Buzzfeed, and betPawa, offering 24/7 support and DIY travel management tools. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, AHOY ceased operations in 2021.
Undeterred by this challenge, Brune launched pawaPass, an inclusive verification platform designed to address digital identity challenges in Africa. The platform leverages biometric technology, enabling users to verify their identities through any smartphone without requiring government-issued IDs. pawaPass offers tailored compliance solutions for enterprises, utilizing anti-duplication technology and non-ID-based verification to enhance online security and combat fraud.
Brune’s leadership at pawaPass underscores her dedication to fostering trust in Africa’s digital economy. By providing secure and accessible verification solutions, pawaPass is bridging the gap for consumers and businesses, enabling access to remote jobs, online trade, and financial services for a wider audience across the continent.
Throughout her career, Brune has championed customer-centric innovation and team creativity. She believes that testing ideas with real users is essential to developing impactful solutions, and she fosters an environment where innovation thrives.
Sylvia Brune’s entrepreneurial journey highlights her unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for social good.
Through her ventures, she continues to address critical challenges in Africa’s tech ecosystem, paving the way for greater digital inclusion and economic empowerment.
