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EBAN Gender

The EBAN Gender Community is committed to promoting a gender-balanced angel investing ecosystem. We believe that gender equality is not only a social and ethical imperative, but also a strategic advantage for businesses and investors alike. Through our community, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of gender diversity in angel investing, share best practices, and create opportunities for women-led businesses and investors. Join us in our mission to build a more diverse, inclusive, and impactful angel investing community.The EBAN Gender Community is committed to promoting a gender-balanced angel investing ecosystem. We believe that gender equality is not only a social and ethical imperative, but also a strategic advantage for businesses and investors alike. Through our community, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of gender diversity in angel investing, share best practices, and create opportunities for women-led businesses and investors. Join us in our mission to build a more diverse, inclusive, and impactful angel investing community.

In 2022, the community launched the EBAN Gender Manifesto, a visionary document outlining its commitment to promoting gender equality in the world of angel investing. This manifesto serves as a guiding beacon for our efforts and highlights the critical importance of inclusivity and diversity.

In 2023, the EBAN Gender Community further solidified its commitment to advancing gender equality and entrepreneurship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UN Women. This strategic partnership with UN Women signifies our dedication to promoting women’s participation in angel investing and entrepreneurship, thereby fostering economic empowerment and sustainability

In addition to our collaboration with UN Women, we are actively engaged in a partnership with UNESCO. Together, we are working diligently to establish a Women’s Angel Network in the Arab region. This ambitious project is designed to empower and support women-led businesses and investors in the Arab region, unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Join us in our mission to build a more diverse, inclusive, and impactful angel investing community, where gender equality is celebrated, and the potential of women in entrepreneurship and angel investment is fully realized. Together, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Contact elena@eban.org to become a member.

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Be part of the change!

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Become an EBAN member

Join EBAN and be part of a pan-European network of early-stage investors! With over 100 member organizations in 50+ countries, EBAN is a key player in the funding of SMEs, contributing to Europe’s growth and job creation. As a member, you’ll have access to exclusive resources and events, as well as the opportunity to join our active role in promoting gender equality in angel investing!

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Share your experience

Collaborating with the EBAN Gender Community is an excellent opportunity for individuals and organizations who believe in the importance of gender diversity in angel investing. By sharing your experience, you will be supporting us to have more ideas and insights to create a more inclusive and impactful angel investing ecosystem!

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Join our mailing list

Want to stay aware of the latest happenings in gender diversity and angel investing? Join the EBAN Gender Community mailing list! You’ll get access to our webinars, articles, and other cool resources to help you become a better investor or entrepreneur. Plus, you’ll be part of a supportive community of people who share your passion for gender equality!

Manifesto For a Gender Balanced Angel Investing Ecosystem by EBAN

Driving successful and responsible angel investing has been at the heart of EBAN’s identity since 1999, a mission we try to serve with every action. As a core value of our association, we promote diversity within the investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem. EBAN commits to triple the representation of women in our ecosystem by calling on the angel investment community to act in these three areas:

  • Increasing the number of women angel investors in Europe by 3x
  • Increasing the number of investments in Female Entrepreneurs
  • Increasing the number of Women on Boards

With this Manifesto, EBAN is taking the lead in creating a gender inclusive European early-stage investment and innovation ecosystem, thus making it stronger, healthier, more prosperous, more equitable, and more sustainable.

We invite organisations within our network and beyond to join this crucial endeavour: Sign this Manifesto here to show your support and pledge to make considerable changes within your own organisation and community to the benefit of us all.

Read more here.

Members

 

  • PRODANOVIC Selma

    Vice President
    Austrian Angel Investors Association, AUSTRIA

    Named Startup-Grande-Dame by the media and elected “TOP 100: Europe’s most influential women in the startup & VC space” in 2022, Selma is an internationally celebrated keynote speaker and thought leader. She is passionate about empowering people and creating a better future. In the last 20 years, she considerably shaped the startup and angel investing ecosystem across Europe. Global media in over 40 countries (Forbes, Financial Times, Elle, Aljazeera, Bloomberg Adria) covered her expertise and activities.

    She is the founder & Board Member of the global SDG platform 1MillionStartups and the Austrian Angel Investors Association. She advised and supported hundreds of startups, hosted the “EBAN- Masters of Angel Investing” interview series with the best business angels in Europe, authored two books, and is lecturing entrepreneurship at universities. Besides her passion for entrepreneurship, she is a fervent advocate for female empowerment and mental health. Above all, Selma is happily married to her first love and is the proud mother of two fantastic young adults.

     

  • BAUMANN Brigitte

    EBAN President 2009-2012

    Brigitte is the Founder of Go Beyond Early Stage Investing. Go Beyond enables novice & experienced, small & large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels. Go Beyond works with individual investors, family offices, professional groups/associations and corporations. Go Beyond operates in Europe and the US. Its team is comprised of seasoned business angels and is the subject of a Harvard Business School case. Brigitte is a Business Angel since 2003 and has received The European Investor of the Year from EBAN in May 2015. In 2017, Brigitte was selected in EY’s European Winning Women Entrepreneur program. In November 2016&2017, Brigitte is listed in Europe’s TOP 50 most influential women in the start-up and venture capital space and Top Women in FinTech. Brigitte is President Emeritus of EBAN, the European trade association for Business Angels and Seed Funds www.eban.org and Member of the Board of CTI Start Up www.kti.admin.ch . Brigitte is past Chair of Young Presidents Organization’s www.ypowpo.org (24k CEOs) global Angel Investing group.

    Brigitte Baumann has 20+ years of experience in bringing new technologies to market in the US and Europe . She was the CEO and Director of iWORLD Group, a VC backed, global developer of mobile content. She was Senior Vice President and General Manager Internet at American Express (Amex) Corporate Services. There she launched a variety of internet businesses including online travel (strategic partner of Expedia.com and subject of HBS case study) and e-Procurement. Prior to that, Brigitte spent three years as President for US and Canada of Gemalto, the world’s leader in smart card technology and applications to introduce smart cards in the North America. Before, she spent six years in different Vice-Presidential/General Manager positions in the UK, France and Switzerland at Amex. She also spent five years with McKinsey & Company Inc. as Senior Engagement Manager, in New York, Paris and Tokyo. She began her career in manufacturing and sales with Rohm & Haas, a leading specialty chemicals company.

    Brigitte holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, Boston and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

    Born and raised in France, Brigitte and her family now live in Zurich.

     

  • DREMALJ Nina

    Business Angels of Slovenia, SLOVENIA

    Nina Dremelj is the president of Business Angels of Slovenia. Her greatest passion is to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into real, successful businesses. In last 5 years she invested in more than 17 companies with average investment multiple 7,71x.

    She also puts her energy and focus towards Alita Capital, Investment company, investing smaller tickets but a lot of time and knowledge into extremely early stages or founding teams with a lasting will to bring innovative projects to life.

    In the past, she co-owned and successfully managed the Swiss seed fund AlpVent AG. In 2021, under the auspices of business angels, she helped set up the first daFUND venture capital fund, supported by business angels and also invested in it.

  • KOIAVA Guri

    Axel – Georgian Business Angel Network, GEORGIA

    Guri Koiava is an entrepreneur, early stage angel investor, startup mentor and public speaker with work history in organization development and management with nonprofit, government and private sectors.In 2005 Guri received the Presidential Scholarship for Best Sportsman of the Year and a black belt in martial arts. As well he was a board member for the Georgian scouts movement. Around this time Guri moved to the EU to pursue new opportunities. He volunteered at the Robert Schuman Foundation (Poland) and had the opportunity to manage civil rights and social action projects. In this time he received a study scholarship and moved to Latvia.

    As a student Guri was one of the co-founders of NGO “Pagalms” for the Youth in Action Program (Erasmus+) in Riga. As a result he become a team lead, facilitator and co-organizer of numerous seminars, training sessions and gatherings representing Latvia and Georgia. He gained BBA & MBA degrees during his studies at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and Turiba University in Latvia.

    In early 2013 Guri was accepted to work in the Georgian National Tourism Administration (Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia). During that time Guri and a team were determined to develop and promote Georgia as the loveliest travel destination worldwide. During his work at GNTA the number of international visitors increased by 21%, followed by a financial boom in the hotel and restaurant industry.

    In different years, Guri was involved in co-organizing music festivals with the goal of increasing tourism in less traveled Georgian regions, for example the town of Anaklia or Poti. Projects: KaZantip Republic / Anaklia (2014), Georgian Electronic Music Festival – GEM Fest / Anaklia (2015,2016,2017) and Swing Festival / Poti (2021).

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  • DEMIRHISAR Huseyin R

    BiD Capital Partners, THE NETHERLANDS

    Founder & Partner of Gestluz Consultores, Matching Ventures and Absolute H.; Board Member of EBAN & Financial Institutions Partnerships Committee Chair; Founder & President of Invicta Angel – Porto Business Angels Association; Member of the Fiscal Council of <Payshop, SA; Founder & Vice-President of FNABA, the Portuguese Federation of Business Angels Associations, 2007-15; Executive Board Member of IFD – Instituição Financeira de Desenvolvimento, SA (now BPF), 2015-17; Former Board member of several SME´s and private associations, and Consultant of Strategy, Business and Competitiveness; Former Professor of Higher Education of Courses of Management, Sales and Finance; Master degree in Design for Sustainability, Postgraduate Degrees in Political Journalism and National Defense Auditor; Undergraduate Degree in Economics.

     

  • HUIDOBRO Marta

    AEBAN Asociación Española de Business Angels Networks, SPAIN

  • COLOMER Albert

    Business Angels Network Catalunya, SPAIN

    Albert has been at the forefront of the angel investor movement in Spain. In 2002, he co-founded and became executive director of the Business Angel Network Catalunya BANC, the first Spanish angel network, which he led. Additionally in 2006 he co-founded ESBAN, a private foundation to raising awareness and promoting angel investment and Business Angels Networks in Spain. Since 2003, Albert is member of the Board of EBAN. Albert has been appointed by the Parliament of Catalonia as member of the Advisory Board of the Catalan Institute of Finance, the public credit institution of the Government of Catalonia. During his career, Albert has gathered a profound knowledge of the entrepreneurship skills. As a consultant, advisor, coach or business angel, His experience in entrepreneurial field, over 25 years, has helped thousands start-ups and entrepreneurs to born and grow. He is co-founder (1986) and executive director of CPAC (Fundació Privada per a la Promoció de l’Autoocupació de Catalunya), an independent charity with a mission to help people and organizations to be entrepreneurs.

     

  • DRIDJE Marcel

    Sophia Business Angels, FRANCE

    Marcel Dridje is the SOPHIA BUSINESS ANGELS President Emeritus & a Mentor at The Camp in Aix en Provence.

    A seasoned European Sales senior Executive, Marcel has substantial field experience helping IT and Telecom startups in the US and EMEA. Marcel has a broad range of experience in all aspects of sales, marketing, communication and management with direct experience with Fortune 500 enterprises (IBM, Nortel, Lucent, Cisco, EMC, ALU) and startups (Quantum, Andrew Networks, Pluris, Corvis, Ascend and Airespace). During the course of his career he has held VP roles most notably as VP EMEA Corvis (first all optical router) where he grew the team and business to an outstanding success. Of French-Algerian and British origin, Marcel launched his career after completing a BSC in Electronics and Computer Science from Portsmouth Polytechnic UK and holds an M&A executive program credentials from INSEAD.

    Marcel most recently left CISCO after 35 years in IT and Telecom Sales to start his new venture as a Business Angel with SBA to help startups with seed money, VC connections and Business development.

    Vaelsys/ IVAS (France), Zetalabs (France), Faveeo (CH), Digitalarti (France), OnePulse (UK) and Cyberflowanalytics (Recently acquired by Webroot a leading US cybersecurity company based in Denver USA) are six of his star ventures.

    A self-proclaimed Serial Entrepreneur, Marcel loves new Challenges in sharing his 30 years IT& Telecom experience with IT VC firms and new High-tech Start Ups Ready to expand their Sales & Mktg success across EMEA, USA and APAC.

     

  • ROUHANA Nicolas

    IM Capital, LEBANON

    Dr. Nicolas Rouhana (PhD) is currently the Chairman and CEO of IM Fndng, managing IM Capital & IM Ventures funds of $60M, providing Matching Capital, Equity Guarantee and Technical Assistance to businesses and investors in Lebanon. The funds co-created the first Seed accelerator SpEED@BDD in Lebanon, created and managed 5 business angel groups with more than 135 angel investors, trained more than 65 mentors, invested in more than 45 startups, leveraged more than $40M matching private capital, and created and maintained more than 800 jobs.

    Between 2002 & 2015, Nicolas was the Executive Director of Berytech, a leading Technology Business Innovation & Incubation Center in Lebanon. We was also board member of EBN (European Business Network). He is currently President of the Internet Society-Lebanon Chapter and the Chairman of Speed@BDD accelerator, and board member of Berytech and several Lebanese technology companies.

    Nicolas has a Telecommunications Engineering degree from Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, a PhD in Networking Systems from Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris, and an EDP graduate from INSEAD, France.

  • Rita Anson

    WIN Ventures

  • JÜRGENS Gitte

    DANBAN, Denmark

  • SALIERI Giulia

    Angels4Women, ITALY

  • SHALLAL Giulia

    Corenvest, FINLAND

  • SAKUS Rita

    Lituanian Business Angel Network, LITHUANIA

  • CHANDER Saja

    FASE, GERMANY

  • Email us at info@eban.org with a picture and a short description if you want to be on the page!

Activities

GENDER FOCUSED SESSIONS AT EBAN ANNUAL EVENTS

PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY EVENTS

  • Interested in partnering with EBAN Gender?

WEBINARS

 

EBAN Gender News

Invest like a girl | Selma Prodanovic
TEDxSarajevoWomen

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Events

Are you an emerging Organisation?
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Have additional questions?

Feel free to contact us under community@eban.org, and we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.

Regular Price for Angel Networks
1.500€ per year
Price for Emerging Networks
1.000€ per year*
*Networks with less than 200 members or less than 10M invested per year
Regular Price for Angel Federations
2.500€ per year
Price for Emerging Federations
1.500€ per year*
*Federations with less than 200 affiliated angels or less than 3 BANs, VCs, or syndicates be part of their network
Regular Price for Early Stage Funds
2.500€ per year
Price for Emerging Early Stage Funds
1.500€ per year*
*Early Stage Funds with less than 20M AUM
Regular Price for Funding Platforms
2.500€ per year
Price for Emerging Funding Platforms
1.500€ per year*
*Platforms with less than 20M Euros of transactions made