EBAN - European Business Angel Network

End of the month? Time for The Angel Observer! November was full of insights… and we’ve got all the highlights for you. Catch up and see what’s shaping the European angel investing landscape! 🪽 Why Business Angels hold the key to European competitiveness and resilience? To match the scale of the U.S., China, and emerging economies, we need to rethink how we support innovation. Read the article of @Jesper Jarlbæk, President of EBAN, and @Laurits Bach Sørensen, Senior Partner at @Nordic Alpha Partners here: https://lnkd.in/ebENqmMt 🇪🇺 Introducing DAEN: A New Era for DefenceTech in Europe A new pan-European network, DAEN, is bringing together business angels from across the continent to back DefenceTech and critical innovation. Discover why this network matters: https://lnkd.in/e4wPeuiz 📍Where are we going, Europe? According to the latest State of European Tech 2025 report by @Atomico, Europe’s tech ecosystem has grown; what’s missing is stronger alignment across policy and capital. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/dQK__DQq 🚨 European Angel Co-Investment Schemes Proposal A fragmented EU angel landscape needs a fix. EBAN’s new proposal introduces two agile models to match capital smarter and speed cross-border growth. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekHDS9xx 💡 Next Stops for Cross-Border Investing in Europe To lower the barriers to cross-border angel investing, EBAN has launched Investment Lighthouses through the Connect2Scale project. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ecMZyr7G 📰 Want all this delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Angel Observer and never miss a beat: https://lnkd.in/dmdT89q2

🚀 Ready to discover Europe’s startup stories? Each week we spotlight a different ecosystem with the Investment Lighthouse. Discover the full Investment Lighthouse: https://lnkd.in/ecMZyr7G ✨ This week, we are landing on Georgia 🇬🇪, where a rapidly maturing startup ecosystem is attracting investors and fueling innovation. Georgia’s growth is supported by strong public–private partnerships and a vibrant angel network. At the center of it is Axel - Georgian Business Angel Network, active since 2021, with 100+ accredited investors and more than 3 million GEL (~$1.1 M) deployed into local tech ventures. Axel has curated high-quality startups with 25+ deals closed since its launch. 💡 The Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) anchors the ecosystem through matching grants, accelerator programs, and leading tax incentives, while international funds like 500 Global and local incubators provide additional support. 🌍 With a growing number of accelerator graduates and international syndicates, Georgia is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for both local and international investors. 👉 Curious? Dive deeper into Georgia’s ecosystem: https://lnkd.in/ef_CfPUT #Connect2Scale is funded by the European Union Organised by: Civitta, Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN), Business Angels of Slovenia, EBAN - European Business Angel Network, Lithuanian Business Angel Network LitBAN, Latvian Business Angels Network Learn more about Connect2Scale: https://connect2scale.eu/

🔥 EAIS25 was one for the books… 2 days. Hundreds of founders, angels, policymakers & innovators. Ideas that challenged us. Conversations that moved us. Connections that will shape the future. This year’s Summit brought important discussions to the table, powerful keynotes and speakers, ambition and big commitments to building Europe’s innovation future. If you missed it… here’s a taste 🎥 And if you were there… you might spot yourself! … your next chance to join Europe’s top investors and innovators? EBAN Congress. Vilnius. June 1–2. Thank you to everyone who made it unforgettable. See you next year! Jesper Jarlbæk - President, EBAN Jacopo Losso - Director General, EBAN Arianna Ioannidou - Community Manager, egg - enter grow go Selma Prodanovic🎤 - Vice President, invest.austria Benoit Vandevivere - Founder, European Accelerationism Robin Wauters - COO & Board Member of EU–INC and European Startup Network Laurits Bach Soerensen Sørensen - Senior Partner (Co-Founder), Nordic Alpha Partners

Turn your innovation into real impact! Looking to take your startup or idea to the next level? Join the online workshop “Access to Funding for Innovators and Startups + Matchmaking with Investors”🚀 Learn how to navigate funding opportunities, from private investors (VCs, angel investors) to major EU programs, and participate in dedicated matchmaking to connect directly with HEIs, innovators, and investors. 💻 Don’t miss this chance to accelerate your journey from idea to market! 📅 2 December 2025 | 11:00–12:30 👉 Register here: https://shorturl.at/USSeh NEXT-HEI is a project transforming Higher Education Institutions into engines of entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional development across Europe. It supports over 35 HEIs and 50 startups to scale their impact. Find out more about the project: https://lnkd.in/ex4X-ry4 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union and EIT. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

💫 Meet the 100 Women in Tech in Europe 2025! 💫 A powerful lineup of founders, investors, and leaders shaping the future of the European tech ecosystem. We’re proud to see EBAN Board Member Rita Sakus featured among this year’s inspiring women, and to spot Lisa-Marie Fassl, one of our active EBAN members, also on the list! 👏 At EBAN, we’re committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in innovation and investment, and it’s inspiring to see so many women from our community recognised for their leadership and impact. 💪 Meet the full list here: https://lnkd.in/dbKmZCGF

🚀 Interested in how Europe can unlock new sources of innovation funding? European Women in VC has released a groundbreaking report, Venture & Growth Capital in Europe: Mapping Pension Funds’ Attitudes, shedding light on how pension funds could play a transformative role in fueling Europe’s innovation and resilience 💰 🔎 Key insights: - Less than 0.1% of European pension funds go into VC (vs. 10%+ in the U.S.) - A tendency towards later-stage investments and funds-of-funds to manage risk - Structural barriers such as regulatory constraints and limited expertise 🔗 Curious? Explore the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eFNtv7PY

"Being an entrepreneur is a really tough journey, but the most important thing is that you remain determined and remain focused on the mission you are on" These are the words of our General Director, Jacopo Losso, during his panel while he represented us at the EXPO25 Virtual Regional Event hosted by @UNWomeneca ✨ bringing together 300+ women founders, investors, and sector experts across Europe & Central Asia. He also explained why collaborations like this matter: supporting women-led startups is at the heart of EBAN’s mission. He highlighted our Manifesto for a Gender Balanced Angel Investing Ecosystem and the importance of spotlighting amazing founders. We loved seeing so many familiar faces during the Expo Alumni Talks, including Linda Pereira PhD, Veldete Daku, Damia Uluoak, Talar Manukian, Tini Mamuchashvili (She/her/hers), proof that consistent support and connection really pays off 💜 But that’s not all! Our EBAN Board Member, Rita Anson, led a workshop on investment readiness, sharing must-know tips for women entrepreneurs: Scaling women-led businesses requires more than passion… it takes capital, access, and a supportive ecosystem. ✨Thank you UN Women Europe and Central Asia for another inspiring event and for building opportunities that truly empower women entrepreneurs, we are more than proud to be part of this. We are really thankful for this partnership!

✨ BAN Manager Programme: This is what you missed at #EAIS25! What happens when angel network leaders from all over Europe sit down to talk cross-border investing? The answer: ideas, honesty, and a shared drive to make Europe’s startup scene truly connected 🌍 At the BAN Manager Track, we heard from inspiring voices like Lisa Bennewitz from Business Angels Deutschland e.V. (BAND) (Germany), Maxime Paradis (Paradise Club | Next-Gen Investment Club), Sinead Byrne from Prospera and Niamh Sterling from HBAN (Ireland), Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen from Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN) (Finland), Marius Istrate from TechAngels Romania (Romania), Julian von Hassell from Baltic Business Angels Schleswig-Holstein e.V., and Grigor Hovhannisyan from BANA Angels representative bringing the diaspora model to life. The overall message was clear: cross-border collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a must. 👉 Read the full recap of the BAN Manager Programme: https://lnkd.in/eXFCBQPY

🚀 Ready to discover Europe’s startup stories? Each week we spotlight a different ecosystem with the Investment Lighthouse. Discover the full Investment Lighthouse: https://lnkd.in/ecMZyr7G ✨ This time, we turn to Romania 🇷🇴, where a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem is attracting investors and fueling innovation. Romania’s growth is powered by strong entrepreneurial talent, a highly skilled technical workforce, and increasing engagement from both local and international investors. Founded in 2013, TechAngels Romania is Romania’s first and largest business angel network, bringing together 140+ members from across the country and the diaspora. Focusing on tech-driven startups, TechAngels members invest individually or in syndicates, providing not just capital, but also mentorship, sector expertise, and global connections. 💡 The ecosystem is particularly strong in SaaS, fintech, AI, e-commerce, MedTech, cleantech, and deep tech. Its competitive cost base and high-quality engineering talent have helped Romania become a dynamic hub within the Central and Eastern European innovation corridor. 🌍The country benefits from venture funds, corporate innovation programs, accelerators, and business angel networks, supported by ecosystem builders and global Romanian connections. 👉 Curious? Dive deeper into Romania’s ecosystem: https://lnkd.in/eKUNRfcj #Connect2Scale is funded by the European Union Organised by: Civitta, Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN), Business Angels of Slovenia, EBAN - European Business Angel Network, Lithuanian Business Angel Network LitBAN, Latvian Business Angels Network Learn more about Connect2Scale: https://connect2scale.eu/

🌎 EU-LAC Digital Accelerator: Building Connections in Bogotá Last week, Xènia Colomer Martín, our Project Manager, represented EBAN as the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator (one of the key projects EBAN is involved with) team landed in Bogota 🇨🇴 with a full agenda to cover! From November 11–12, colleagues from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean came together for an internal meeting to reflect on 2025 achievements, set ambitious 2026 goals, and, of course, strengthen the human connections that drive this project’s mission. Highlights from the two days: - 2025 Results and 2026 Targets: Reviewing progress and aligning future goals. - Work Package Deep Dives: Sharing lessons learned and best practices across WPs 2, 3, and 4. - Gender & Sustainability: Fostering women-led digital partnerships and long-term impact. - Caribbean Focus: Shaping the role of Digital Connectors in 2026 and beyond. And beyond the meeting rooms? The team enjoyed Bogotá’s local cuisine and culture, reminding us that while the accelerator is digital, the connections we build are deeply human. A huge thank you to TECNALIA COLOMBIA for hosting, and everyone who made this gathering both productive and inspiring. Here’s to stronger connections and an amazing 2026! 🚀 Learn about EU-LAC: https://lnkd.in/efj3Yjtt EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, TECNALIA COLOMBIA, OCTANTIS, EBAN, EBN - European Business & Innovation Centre Network, IESE Business School, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Expertise France, BID Lab, Wayra Hispam, Wayra