Angels fit the bill
22 June 2000 - 22 June 2000
The business angels event held in Brussels on 22 and 23 May proved encouraging for budding entrepreneurs looking for financing for innovative projects.
Firstly, attendance at the event was good, with a showing of 300 representatives from 20 countries. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the number of business angel networks in Europe is increasing, providing a greater resource for innovation. In 1996, there were approximately 40 networks, but the figure is estimated to reach 100 by the end of this year.
A small number of these are supported by banks or a commercial basis, but most are informal investors who want to be able to assist innovative projects both financially and with the benefit of their business experience.
Although take up of deals between business angels and project entrepreneurs is still very small (a maximum of 5% end up in deals), the business angel networks (BAN) provide a key area of assistance to projects before they reach the formal venture capital stage.
The BAN event was supported and organised by the European Commission's DG Enterprise, the European association of development agencies (EURADA) and the European business angels network (EBAN).
For further information, please contact:
EBAN/EURADA
Tel. +32-2-2184313; Fax +32-2-2184583
E-mail: info@eban.org
Firstly, attendance at the event was good, with a showing of 300 representatives from 20 countries. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the number of business angel networks in Europe is increasing, providing a greater resource for innovation. In 1996, there were approximately 40 networks, but the figure is estimated to reach 100 by the end of this year.
A small number of these are supported by banks or a commercial basis, but most are informal investors who want to be able to assist innovative projects both financially and with the benefit of their business experience.
Although take up of deals between business angels and project entrepreneurs is still very small (a maximum of 5% end up in deals), the business angel networks (BAN) provide a key area of assistance to projects before they reach the formal venture capital stage.
The BAN event was supported and organised by the European Commission's DG Enterprise, the European association of development agencies (EURADA) and the European business angels network (EBAN).
For further information, please contact:
EBAN/EURADA
Tel. +32-2-2184313; Fax +32-2-2184583
E-mail: info@eban.org