The European Business Angels Network (EBAN) is to host the third global Business Angels Week (BAW) in collaboration with regional partners, claiming to be the world’s largest cross-border angel investment awareness initiative.
Hosted in collaboration with the African Business Angels Network (ABAN) and Middle-East Business Angels Network (MBAN), BAW aims to celebrate and inspire cross-border and inter-continental angel investments and exits; with a particular view to encouraging activity in Africa and the Middle East.
During BAW, organisations across the world are invited to host related events under the BAW banner, throughout the week of November 16 to 22.
EBAN said BAW is inspired by the belief that the evolution of regional investment ecosystems is best supported through the formal and informal education of potential investors, new investors, development agencies, academia, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
By hosting local events, participants can contribute the development of investment ecosystems, either by bringing a totally new concept to the local audience or by taking existing knowledge to a new level of expertise, EBAN said.
“Even though EBAN is representing business angels in Europe, the importance of early stage investment is not geographically limited, and this is why we have been supporting African as well as Middle Eastern BAN,” Ana Barjasic, project manager at EBAN told Disrupt Africa.
“The Business Angels Week gathers early stage investment events all over the globe, in order to raise awareness about the sector. These events can range from “days of open doors”, to big congresses – what counts is spreading the message.”
Those interested in getting involved with BAW can set up their event, and publish it to the BAW website. The BAW logo can be used, and adapted to include the city of local events.
“Identify your initiatives and organisation with the week and contribute to the week’s visibility,” EBAN said.
EBAN, ABAN, and MBAN members are also available to speak at regional events.
BAW was launched in 2013 in Europe, with 140 events taking place in 34 countries all across Europe. By 2014, in collaboration with ABAN and MBAN, BAW saw 244 events hosted in 55 countries worldwide. The organisers hope to see similar growth in participation this year.
