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igerian musician and entrepreneur Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, has just returned from Estonia, where he attended and spoke at the country’s Latitude59 tech conference. 

Billed as “the flagship startup and tech event of the world’s first digital society,” Latitude59 brought together over 400 investors and 800 startup reps in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, from 24-26 May.

As part of the conference’s speakers program, Mr Eazi discussed his tech and creative journey — and the prospects of the African orange economy via smart governance — in a roundtable with former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves. 

While in Estonia, he also met with industry leaders and tech entrepreneurs, including Ahti Heinla, a founding developer of Skype and the founder and CTO of robotics company Starship Technologies; and Markus Villig, the founder and CEO of mobility company Bolt. 

Mr Eazi with Ahti Heinla, founding developer of Skype and founder of Starship Technologies

“My last-minute trip to Estonia ended up being one of my favorite 24 hours this year,” said Mr Eazi. “At the conference, I spoke about my career and journey from founder to musician toan investor, with my own VC fund, Zagadat Capital, investing in tech businesses.”

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That journey appears to be of great interest, as Latitude59 is not the only international business conference to host Mr Eazi recently. Earlier in May, he was a speaker at the 2023 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, where he shared his views on African music’s role in developing and stimulating the continent’s creative economy. 

Paramount on Eazi’s mind in Estonia was the potential for business alliances in tech. Estonia presently has the most start-ups per capita of any European nation. It is ranked first in the region for its business environment by the Emerging Europe IT Competitiveness Index. 

“[Former president] Ilves shared how Estonia has been positioning itself to be friendly for tech founders and entrepreneurs through its digital e-residency program,” Eazi said. “You can set up your company digitally in Estonia, and become an e-resident.” Eazi, who via Zagadat Capital recently invested in Decagon, a company that trains engineers in Nigeria and pairs them with jobs worldwide, sees a major opportunity for African tech talent to gain a foothold in overseas markets such as Estonia. 

“You have over 10 million smart, young people getting out of university each year in need of jobs. Now, Africa — not just Nigeria, but Kenya, Ghana, Benin, Rwanda, etc  — our continent has the prospect to become the highest net exporter of technology talent.”

While this was Eazi’s first visit to Estonia, he is not a stranger to the country’s business environment. His VC fund Zagadat Capital has already invested in the mobile payment service PawaPay, which employs a number of engineers in Estonia.

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“I believe this is my first of many trips to Estonia, and I am excited at the fun stuff and ideas we will execute together,” he stated.

https://www.zagadatcapital.com 

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Imagine Music Festival, the Southeast’s most immersive electronic festival, has announced its phase 1.5 lineup featuring the next generation of regional talent from across the South East. These additions add to an already stacked lineup for the famed festival’s 2023 return to Kingston Downs, GA from September 14-17.

Imagine has always been an incubator for artists who have risen from the ranks of Atlanta’s electronic music scene and those of its surrounding states. Debut festival performances at Imagine have helped propel the careers of artists like powerful bass duo ATLiens and Monstercat’s Leah Culver, American techno upstart Sam Wolfe, Drinkurwater, Daily Bread and more.

Leah Culver and Sam Wolfe return to Imagine to top phase 1.5 alongside dubstep riser Azella, underground bass producer Meduso, multi-genre producer Subrinse, Terminal Underground’s Galo, Purified Records’ JD Farrell, and many more acts from the region.

Imagine’s foundation continues to be rooted in curating world class electronic music lineups year after year, with the 2023 edition presenting its most powerful offering to date. Over four days and nights, attendees will be treated to over 100 artists spread across four stages.

This year’s lineup is led by some of the scene’s most celebrated names such as HypnoVision label head Rezz, Black Book Records boss Chris Lake, renowned electronic duo and Gud Vibrations leaders Slander, floor-filling tech house sensation John Summit for an Off The Grid takeover, and a Sunset Set from Australian tech house king Dom Dolla. Additional highlights include a special performance from dubstep icon Svdden Death: Into The Inferno, the inimitable live multi-instrumentalist duo Big Gigantic, emotionally-charged producers Dabin and Said The Sky’s collaborative Dab the Sky, star Brazilian producer Vintage Culture, and the transcendent productions of Jade Cicada.

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In true Imagine fashion, fans can expect a slew of rare back to back sets they won’t be able to see anywhere else. These head to head throwdowns include Dillon Francis and bass music breakout Knock2, the heavier frequencies of NGHTMRE and Diesel aka the larger than life Shaquille O’Neal, and HE$H teaming with Level Up for a bass and dubstep floor shaker.

With its combination of undisturbed woodlands, sprawling grass fields, nature trails, and riverfront access, last year’s newly debuted venue location of Kingston Downs proved to be the ideal match for Imagine’s creative utopia. The family-owned and operated 5,000+ acre property is situated on the Etowah River, conveniently located a few miles outside of Rome, GA, and just 45 minutes north of metro Atlanta. It’s the perfect setting for festival goers to chart their own adventure, where opportunities to explore are boundless.

Immersive entertainment and thought provoking experiences await Imagine’s dedicated community and new-comers alike. Attendees can get lost in transformative workshops focused on topics like yoga, flow arts, meditation, consciousness, mindfulness, art, and more. Fans can also check out on-site art from visionary artists, live painters and muralists, participate in outdoor games and activities like cornhole, witness the visual spectacle of cirque acts, and grab food and refreshments from some of the best local festival food and nationally touring vendors.

For those who want the most extraordinary Imagine Festival experience – look no further than Imagine’s VIP and PLATINUM level ticket options. With VIP, fans can enjoy the luxury of expedited entry, premium restrooms, shaded VIP areas, and exclusive vendors. Additional VIP Areas include the Oceania VIP Club, Mermaid Lounge, VIP Pool Access and more. The PLATINUM VIP Pass takes the elevated experience even further, with a newly added perk of unlimited access to the Platinum Viewing Deck featuring an open bar with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks all weekend long.

GA, VIP, and PLATINUM ticket tiers are available now at www.imaginefestival.com. Fans can also purchase various camping options including GA CAR, VIP CAR, and PREMIUM which includes RVs, Pre-Set Tents, Hotels and Shuttles. Other add-ons include the Thursday Early-Arrival and Pre-Party Pass, Saturday and Sunday Pool Party passes, and Parking passes.

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Imagine Music Festival is an 18+ event.

Imagine Music Festival 2023 Regional & Local Lineup
Azella
Bryan Softwell
Cut & Sew b2b Tiddy
Focuss
Galo
Ghost Lotus
Kavent G
Leah Culver
Machaki
MC Word
Meduso
Midnite Panda
Otica
Pryzms
Sam Wolfe b2b JD Farrell
Seeing Double
Subrinse
TaylorLace
Zubah

Imagine Music Festival 2023 Phase One Lineup
Big Gigantic
Chris Lake
Dab the Sky (Dabin b2b Said The Sky)
Dillon Francis b2b Knock2
Dom Dolla (Sunset Set)
Jade Cicada
John Summit
NGHTMRE b2b Diesel
Rezz
Slander
Svdden Death: Into The Inferno
Vintage Culture
Boombox Cartel
Cloonee
Detox Unit
Dombresky
The Floozies
Dr. Fresch
Infected Mushroom (DJ Set)
Matroda
Zomboy
Bonnie x Clyde
Cassian
Crankdat
Eazybaked
HE$H b2b Level Up
JVNA
Nurko
Spencer Brown
Trivecta
A Hundred Drums
Bad Snacks
Celo
Deadcrow
Drinkurwater
Emorfik
HEYZ
Hi I’m Ghost
Layz
Paraleven
ShockOne
Skeler
VNSSA

Thursday Preparty Hosted By Brownies & Lemonade
ISOxo presents kidsgonemad!
Ninajirachi
Squired
Stooki Sound
Villa
Wavedash

Saturday & Sunday Pool Parties
Dombresky Presents: Disco Dom
DJ Hanzel
Nala
Never Dull

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Stage Takeovers By
Brownies & Lemonade
kidsgonemad!
Monstercat
Off The Grid