Brussels, October 2026 –  As the European Commission advances the EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy and the Savings and Investments Union, Europe’s business angels have a new Board to make sure their voice is heard. EBAN, the European Business Angels Network, announces the 17 Board members who will lead the association from 2026 to 2028. 

Elected by members at the Second Ordinary General Assembly during the European Angel Investment Summit (EAIS26) in Luxembourg, the Board is led by Jesper Jarlbæk, re-elected for a second term as President. 

The Board has been streamlined from 19 to 17 seats and brings together directors from 16 countries: Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. It is also majority-women for the first time, with nine women and eight men (53%), up from 42% in the previous term and continuing the progress set out in EBAN’s manifesto for a gender-balanced angel investing ecosystem.

Strengthening the voice of Europe’s business angels

Business angels are often the first investors in early-stage companies, providing capital while ventures are still developing their products and building their teams. Making it easier for them to invest effectively across Europe is essential to helping innovative businesses start and scale.  

During its 2026-2028 mandate, the new Board will guide EBAN’s work to improve conditions for early-stage investment and represent the interests of Europe’s business angel community in discussions with European institutions.

Jesper Jarlbæk, President of EBAN, said:
“I am looking forward to working with these bright and passionate Board members as we seek to improve framework conditions for start-ups in the EU. We are hopeful that the European Commission will announce important initiatives within the next month, and we will keep you posted.”

Meet the Board of Directors 2026–2028

The 17-member Board represents 16 countries across Europe, bringing together experience from national business angel networks, investment organisations and the wider early-stage investment ecosystem.

• Jesper Jarlbæk (President) — Danish Business Angels (DanBAN), Denmark
• Lauri Antalainen — Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), Estonia
• Rita Anson — Norwegian Business Angels Network (NorBAN), Norway
• Christine Bjärkby — Swedish Business Angels Network (SweBAN), Sweden
• Caroline Amblard-Sai — Angels Santé, France
• Daniela Haunstein — invest.austria, Austria
• Marta Huidobro — Spanish Association of Business Angels Networks (AEBAN), Spain
• Panayiotis Ketikidis — Hellenic Business Angels Network (HeBAN), Greece
• Ilkka Kaikuvuo — Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN), Finland
• Mary McKenna — AwakenAngels, Ireland
• Rita Sakus — Lithuanian Business Angel Network (LitBAN), Lithuania
• Petr Sima — DEPO Ventures, Czechia
• Nina Dremelj — Business Angels of Slovenia, Slovenia
• Ricardo Luz — Invicta Angels, Portugal
• Michael O’Connor — Monte Carlo Capital, Monaco
• George Simongulashvili — Axel – Georgian Business Angel Network, Georgia
• Audra Elena Shallal — Sophia Business Angels, France

Thank you to our outgoing Board members

EBAN extends its sincere thanks to the outgoing Board members Albert Colomer, Marcel Dridje, Reima Linnanvirta, Selma Prodanovic, Nicolas Rouhana and Ian Sosso for their contributions throughout their terms.

Their time, expertise and commitment have helped advance EBAN’s mission and support Europe’s angel investment community. The association is grateful for their service and their contribution to its development. 

With its new Board in place, EBAN will continue working to strengthen the European angel investment ecosystem, support its members and advocate for conditions that enable early-stage investors and innovative companies to thrive.