As the year draws to a close, EBAN proudly reflects on the remarkable milestones and initiatives that defined 2024. Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most memorable moments and achievements:
Launching the EU-LAC PanLATAM Investor Community
In February, EU-LAC Digital Accelerator officially launched the EU-LAC Investor Community at 4YFN in Barcelona, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between Europe and Latin America. Through initiatives like this and the LATAM Investor Roadshow, we engaged over 1,000 stakeholders, driving economic growth and digital transformation across both continents.
Celebrating Women in Angel Investing
In March 2024, EBAN marked International Women’s Day by unveiling the inaugural “25 Top Women in Angel Investing” list. This initiative highlighted influential women shaping the European angel investment landscape. In addition EBAN introduced a new annual award recognising the Best Woman Angel Investor of the year at the EBAN Annual Congress – congratulations to the first winner of the award, Heidi Kakko.
EBAN Annual Congress 2024
The EBAN Congress 2024, held in Tallinn, Estonia, was a landmark gathering for angel investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Drawing over 600 participants, the congress showcased Estonia’s reputation as a “startup nation” and featured discussions on DefenceTech, SpaceTech, and AI. Attendees engaged in workshops, startup pitches, and sessions exploring cross-border investment strategies. Check out the press release here and see you in Copenhagen next June for EBAN Cogress 2025!
Advancing Women in Tech with UN Women
Co-hosted by EBAN and UN Women, the event highlighted the importance of gender equality in angel investing and celebrated various women-led ventures across multiple sectors. We are always proud to provide a platform for women founders to connect and share their stories, as striving for inclusion is one of the core values of EBAN. Learn more about it here!
Working with the EU to Build a Vibrant Business Angel Ecosystem
This year, EBAN released “Building a Vibrant Business Angel Ecosystem in Europe”, policy paper, proposing seven recommendations to overcome funding and regulatory challenges, and boost early-stage investments across Europe. We also presented the 2023 Annual Statistics Compendium, Europe’s most extensive research on business angel activity, covering 38 countries. The report offers valuable insights into early-stage investments, drawing from sources like Dealroom.co, Crunchbase, and the European Commission.
European Angel Investment Summit 2024
On October 15-16, Brussels hosted EAIS24, welcoming over 500 investors, policymakers, and innovators. This year also marked EBAN’s 25th anniversary, and we celebrated with special awards presented to our trusted partners and key figures who have been instrumental in shaping EBAN’s journey. We also welcomed the election of EBAN’s new board, with Jesper Jarlbæk as President, and Nina Dremelj and Ricardo Luz as Vice Presidents. Check out the EAIS24 recap here!
Celebrating EBAN’s 25th Anniversary
This year marked 25 years of EBAN championing angel investing in Europe. A commemorative booklet was released, celebrating milestones, the EBAN timeline, and contributions from members and the community. Download the booklet here!
EBAN Space and Defence Community Launched
On November 27, EBAN launched the Space and Defence Community, dedicated to advancing Europe’s innovation ecosystem in these critical sectors. The initiative unites organizations to mentor and invest in early-stage companies pioneering Space and Defence technologies. Read the press release here!
Empowering EU Startups with Grant Funding
This year, Ready2Scale supported its largest cohort to date, empowering 15 startups from across Europe with €600,000 in equity-free grants, mentorship, and opportunities for market expansion. Discover more here!
WomenTech EU Allocated 3 Million to Startups
Continuing its mission to support women-led startups, WomenTech EU allocated €3 million to ventures, with another 40 startups in the selection process for an additional €3 million in funding. Learn more about WomenTech EU and the project’s initiatives here and check if your startup is eligible for grants!
We can not conclude this year’s summary without remembering our President Emeritus Peter Cowley, who unfortunately passed away this November. In memory of Peter, you can read this.
Thank you for being part of an incredible 2024. Here’s to an even more exciting 2025!