2024 Rundown of the #EBANCongress

2024 EBAN Annual Congress Press Release

The 2024 EBAN Annual Congress in Tallinn, co-organised with Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), has been a rounding success, bringing together 600+ angel investors and entrepreneurs, 50+ startups from around Europe and beyond, and 800+ networking meetings taking place throughout the week! This year we have featured premier workshops, insightful keynote speeches, and celebrated our community’s achievements.

Key Takeaways from the 2024 EBAN Annual Congress

• Understanding DefenceTech, SpaceTech and AI Investing: During the congress, main topics of interest included the importance of investing in DefenceTech for both commercial and national defence purposes. It was emphasised that these technologies should be classified under military use to enter new markets worldwide without restrictions. SpaceTech was highlighted as a crucial area needing active investment. Additionally, there was a call for democratising space and urging future generations to invest in local space technologies. Another key topic was the rapid increase in investment interest in AI. Our panellists agreed that it is integral to not compete with LLMs directly but instead learn how you can leverage AI technology to solve more complex problems that are dedicated to more specific fields.
• Driving systemic change in Angel Investing: This year’s congress sought to bring to light the challenges in cross border investments, and questioned the viability over “pan-european investments”. It was emphasised that local networks are vital as well as networks like EBAN who connect investors from all over Europe. The scope of topics in driving change would continue to broaden to incorporate our premier session on Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Term Sheets: A New Paradigm for Founders and Investors. In this workshop topics ranged from the challenges of maternity leave to the importance of balancing parental care with the obligations you have as a founder. 
• Learning from Estonia’s Success as a Startup Nation: The country of Estonia was put in the direct spotlight throughout the event. As a proclaimed startup nation, Estonia prides itself on being one of the first fully digital countries, eliminating the need for paper in government operations. Its decentralised, stackable economy reduces dependence on the largest enterprises in any sector, allowing for greater agility and continuous development in energy, biotechnology, medicine, and other fields. This focus on adopting new technologies and AI has created numerous opportunities for SMEs and startups.
• Celebrating Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Organised within the congress we have had multiple pitching sessions featuring startups from a wide range of diverse industries and geographies. Starting out with 8 DeepTech startups powered by the CASSINI Initiative, an innovation showcase of 17 startups powered by Connect2Scale, 9 Bio/GreenTech startups powered by Bionanopolys, 9 DefenceTech startups powered NATO DIANA, and finishing off with 11 women led startups empowered by UNWomen Europe and Central Asia.  

Celebrating This Years EBAN Award Winners

During the EBAN Gala Awards Dinner, our network has the unique opportunity to come together and celebrate those who have made the greatest impact within the community. This year we are excited to announce the EBAN Awards winner to the people and organisations who have demonstrated their contributions and achievements in the industry of Angel Investing. We would like to congratulate:

✨ Angels of the Year: Heidi Kakko & Jesper Jarlbæk

🚀 Best Performing NEW EBAN Member: EGG – Enter-Grow-Go;  received by Roula Bachtalia

🇪🇪 Best EBAN Member: Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN)  received by Anu Oks and Lauri Antalainen

🤝 Deal of the year: Hostaway received by Tina Laisi Puheloinen and Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN)

📜 Thesis Winner: “Signalling effect of team formation on venture investors” received by  Björk Vanden Broucke and Michael Roskams

We would also like to give recognition to the companies the programs that have brought together startups within their industries and to the companies that have won this year pitching competition:

• Orbital Paradigm, Winner DeepTech Showcase – Powered by the Cassini Initiative
• CeleBreak, Winner Innovation Showcase – Powered by Connect2Scale
• ALGAESYS, Winner GreenTech and BioTech Showcase – Powered by Bionanopolys
• Shipsider (with a special mention to LiveBoard and Ozim platform) Winner EXPO Capital Quest – Powered by UN Women Europe and Central Asia
• Goldilock, Winner DefenceTech Showcase – Powered by NATO DIANA

Our Next Destinations and Special Announcements From the Congress

🇸🇪 During the 2024 EBAN Annual Congress, we have had the honour to announce the formation of SWEBAN – Swedish Business Angels Network, the newest Angel Investor Lighthouse within the Nordics. to find out more consult our formal announcement on out website here:

💸We would also like to showcase and investment success story from Wayren who found success in raising 100k during the congress! What a testament to our community’s dedication to active angel investment!

With this year’s congress in Tallinn, Estonia coming to a close we have announced the 2025 EBAN Annual Congress to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark with DanBAN – Danish Business Angel Network . But that is not all! We have also made the decision in awarding the 2026 EBAN Annual Congress to be hosted in Vilnius, Lithuania with LitBAN – Lithuanian Business Angel Network . But if you can’t wait until then, see you at the European Angel Investment Summit on October 15 – 16 in Brussels Belgium!

A Big Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors! 

We would like to thank everyone who could make it to the 2024 EBAN Annual Congress, we could not have done it without you! A special thank you to all of our co-organizers Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), InvestEU Portal, and our sponsors & partners UN Women Europe and Central Asia, Visit Estonia, Invest in Estonia, Swedbank, Delfi, Dealum, Civitta, City of Tallinn, Tehnopol, Latitude59, Bionanopolys, Connect2Scale. 

See this year’s pictures here!