During the 2024 EBAN Annual Congress we had the amazing opportunity to host the final leg of the UN EXPO in partnership with UN Women Europe and Central Asia. Brought together by the shared values of bringing gender equality to the startup ecosystem, we were able to provide a unique experience for women founders to pitch their ideas directly to investors during the congress.
On the pitching stage, EBAN Director Jacopo Losso gave out opening words, introducing the congress participants to the UN Women Europe and Central Asia team. Nato Chakvetadze and Ana Pashalishvili, from UN Women Europe and Central Asia and Begüm Mutuș from Yildiz Holding, started the session by introducing the acceleration program and why it is integral to continuously advocate for women led startups and reduce inequalities on both sides of the Angel Investment ecosystem. After open words the floor was the startups that took part in the program. From the entire program 21 companies from different regions all over Europe and Central Asia were able to join the Congress. Of these 11 were selected to present their startups in front of a panel of judges who would determine the winner of the pitching session. With such amazing presentations the judges had difficulty choosing but ultimately decided on Shipsider as the winner with a special mention to Ozim Platform and LiveBoard.
To celebrate the cullmination of the EXPO Program a ceremony was taken place at the end of the congress. Each startup that took part of the pitching competition was awarded a certification to recognize the efforts and progess they have made leading up to the event. With the congress now over we have received stellar feedback from the group with the startups eagerly waiting for their next opportunity to pitch on stage.
“A great event with incredible opportunities and good organisation!”
TheaSmart
“Loved all the workshops and pitches that were presented at the congress. It was awesome!”
Maryco
This however was not the only contribution the UN Women Europe and Central Asia team made during the congress. Ana Pashalishvili was also invited to join a panelist workshop session on Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Term Sheets: A New Paradigm for Investors while she in turn was also going through maternity leave. During this session she discussed the importance of having well structured terms sheets when planning for parent hood as a woman founder. If you would like to read more on this session you can learn about challenges that were discussed here
This event is only the beginning of an ongoing partnership which aims to bridge the gap of gender disparity and bring to light talented female entrepreneurs from emerging regions. We are excited to see what is in store for the future as these startups have already joined the 1Million Startups ViennaUP event taking place in the Metaverse!
If you want to see more upcoming sessions like this then come join us at the European Angel Investment Summit in Brussels, Belgium on October 15 -16. Learn more about the Summit and get your tickets here:https://europeanangelsummit.com/
Presenting the startups that pitched during the 2024 EBAN Congress:
