Session Description
The GEN Invest Forum gathers GEN’s investor community for in-person collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and alignment. Hear regional updates from key GEN angel networks, trends from GEN Invest’s global members, and space for all investor advocates to discuss future plans to address investment challenges across multiple markets.
This is an RSVP-only meeting, reserved for the Board and members of GEN’s Global Business Angels Network (GBAN), the GEN Invest Council and invited GEN Invest friends from corporate venture and family offices. The session will help shape GEN’s future investor engagement strategy and identify ways to collaborate on angel training, fund manager development, and startup pipeline support across emerging and mature ecosystems.
Session Recap
Welcome to the recap of our dynamic session focused on the vital role of investors in the global entrepreneurship ecosystem. This discussion brought together leaders from across the world to explore strategies for deepening engagement, fostering cross-border collaboration, and driving capital towards impactful innovation.
Brief Summary
This session marked the opening of the Gen Investor 2025 meeting, emphasizing the collective power and importance of the investor community, particularly angel investors, as the "engine behind the entire process" of entrepreneurial growth. Participants from numerous countries shared insights into building robust investment ecosystems, overcoming local challenges, and fostering connections to deploy capital effectively across borders. The conversation highlighted the Global Entrepreneurship Network's (GEN) strategy to connect founders and investors globally, the history and impact of networks like GBAN and EBAN, and the crucial need to educate and mobilize local capital, especially in developing and frontier markets.
Outline
• Opening remarks and welcome to the Gen Investor meeting
• Introduction of the Global Business Angel Network (GBAN) and its board members
• Introductions from participants, sharing their name, organization, country/region, and impact in the investment community
• Presentation of regional and national ecosystem updates
◦ Brazil (Anjos do Brasil)
◦ Nepal
◦ Bolivia
◦ Oman
◦ Europe (EBAN)
◦ Sri Lanka
◦ GCC Perspective
• Open floor discussion and Q&A
◦ Challenges and opportunities in Iraq's ecosystem
◦ The role of diaspora in supporting local ecosystems
◦ Suggestion for global deal flow sharing among investors
◦ Information on GEN's Investor Matchmaking platform
◦ Discussion on handholding grassroots angel networks
◦ Educational resources for angel investors
◦ Strategies for mobilizing local capital in developing markets
• Closing remarks and invitations to future events
Notable Quotes
• "At the end of the day the investor communities perhaps are the the engine behind the entire process."
• "...innovation and great ideas are everywhere in the world."
• "How do I make sure that these business people don't put their money somewhere else? Don't buy a real estate in another wealthy country and they're putting the dollars out... They actually have to put them back into it some of it. That is the key."
Key Takeaways
• Investors are Central: The investor community, particularly angel investors, is recognized as a critical engine driving entrepreneurial success and economic growth globally.
• Collaboration is Essential: Building relationships, sharing knowledge, deal flow, and co-investing across borders and within regions are vital for overcoming limitations and expanding impact.
• Capacity Building Matters: Educating potential investors and supporting the creation and sustainability of angel networks and VC associations are crucial steps, especially in emerging markets where the culture of risk finance is nascent.
• Local Challenges Require Tailored Approaches: While global tools and structures exist, adapting them to local contexts and understanding the unique motivations for investment in specific regions is key.
• Connecting Capital to Global Problems: There is a recognition of the need to apply investment and entrepreneurial talent to tackle major global and regional challenges, from climate change to economic diversification.
Resources Mentioned
• Angel Capital Association (ACA): A U.S. organization representing angel groups and investors. Offers "Angel University" with educational courses on angel investing. Website: angelcapitalassociation.org.
• Global Business Angel Network (GBAN): Works to provide networking and interaction between angel groups and networks globally. Offers its own programs.
• European Business Angel Network (EBAN): The European voice for angel investing, grouping networks and individual angels across Europe and globally. Conducts training programs and has specific chapters (gender, space, health, sports tech).
• Anjos do Brasil: A non-profit organization fostering angel investment and the innovation ecosystem in Brazil. Organizes a national event.
• startupcouncil.org: A community service platform being built to connect early-stage founders worldwide.
• Gen App: Used for conference information and includes an Investor Matchmaking feature.
• "How to Raise Startup Money" book: An upcoming book by Scott Fox from an investor's point of view, intended to be helpful in developing markets.
• Scott Fox's YouTube Channel: Offers monthly office hours (India time) to help entrepreneurs and investors.
• Peru Tech Week: An event happening on September 29th, including the Peru Venture Capital Conference.
• Venture Engine: A venture competition taking place in Sri Lanka in partnership with the Indian and Lankan Angel Networks.
• Future Fund Oman: A fund with $500M allocated to SMEs and startups in Oman.
• Rasmel Venture: The first VC of Qatar, anchored by the Qatar Investment Authority, onboarding LPs with portfolios of growth companies interested in the GCC market.
• Tech Wadi: An initiative in California connecting diaspora from the Middle East.
Action Items
• Attend the Investor Matchmaking session on Thursday via the Gen app.
• Share the Investor Matchmaking forms with founders and investors in your network.
• Connect with representatives from countries and regions mentioned to explore collaboration opportunities.
• Explore educational resources for angel investors provided by organizations like ACA and EBAN.
• Consider attending the Anjos do Brasil National Event in Florianopolis on August 26th.
• Look into potential partnerships or investments in regions like Sri Lanka (Fund of Funds, Port City) or the GCC.
• Connect with Jerry Hayes to discuss engaging the retail market in venture investing.
• Check out the startupcouncil.org platform.
• Attend the "Fundraising Strategies for Venture Capital Funds" session at 3 PM and the Investor Only Happy Hour.
