Venture Academy and Investment Forum for SMEs at the EU Digital Agenda Assembly in Brussels, Belgium

The European Commission has identified access to investment and other finance as a particular area of difficulty for SMEs and has launched a series of initiatives to help. ICT Finance MarketPlace is an EU-funded initiative delivered by three projects under the 7th Framework Programme with the objective of improving access to finance for SMEs engaged in ICT innovation.

Accordingly, SMEs engaged in ICT innovation are invited to attend a Venture Academy and Investment Forum on 15th (afternoon) and 16th (morning) of June 2011 respectively. Both events will take place at the Parc Hotel Brussels, Avenue d'Yser 21, B-1040 Brussels.

Designed specifically for SMEs operating in the ICT sector, the Venture Academy consists of a one-day, coaching event where experienced coaches from relevant industry areas will help participants pragmatically to develop their pitching skills towards potential investors. It is a vital preparatory step for SMEs invited to attend the Investment Forum on 16th June where they will meet with and pitch to a selected group of ICT investors.

The Venture Academy will be of great benefit to entrepreneurs seeking finance and access international markets. Participants will be provided with information, tools and resources which will help them find investment partners and grow their business.

The focus is on how to approach meeting with strategic partners and on the expectations of potential investors from such meetings. Participants will receive guidance on how their presentations and business proposals compare with those of other participants, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses and advising on how these should be addressed to maximise the impact of their pitch.
Experienced coaches from different backgrounds will enhance the value of the feedback provided:

 Independent Coaches able to provide personal advisory services and who are themselves:
 Former Venture Capital managers
 Entrepreneurs
 Former business advisors

 Advisory Coaches from established advisory practices who are:
 Consultants from larger or specialised consulting/ accounting firms
 Head-hunters or interim managers
 M&A advisors or investment bankers

The Investment Forum offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of business angel, venture capital, corporate and other investors as well as expert advisors and potential strategic partners and to meet with them afterwards. The Investment Forum takes place one day after the Venture Academy and participating entrepreneurs will thereby have an opportunity to capitalise on tips and suggestions gathered from their coaches, thus maximising the impact.

All three events are fully are sponsored and supported by the EU and thus, there is no charge for participation. However, places are limited to 16 SMEs and these will be selected from applicants following a selection process on the basis of their readiness to receive investment from venture capital and corporate investors.

These events are run in conjunction with the first-ever EU Digital Agenda Assembly to be held on the 16th and 17th of June in the museums of the Parc Cinquantenaire in Brussels at the same location. Awards for the best investor presentations will be presented by Commissioner Kroes during the Digital Agenda Assembly.

Places are strictly limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Therefore, please apply before 20th May 2011, 16:00 CET.