PART A:
The Global Fundraising Stage (GFRS) empowered by the WBAF Angel Investment Fund
The Global Fundraising Stage (GFRS) is an international co-investment platform for investors, startups, scaleups and high-growth businesses which are aiming to globalise by raising funds from qualified investors.
• The GFRS aims to create a high-quality portfolio with some of the world’s most promising startups, scaleups and, at the same time, create co-investment opportunities and follow-on investments. The GFRS also connects top startups with the best angel investors, making it possible for the startups to benefit not only from the investment but also the know- how,mentorship and networking of qualified investors.
• The GFRS is designed to capitalise on the worldwide growth in entrepreneurial activity and venture financing for startups and scaleups and to capitalise on WBAF’s extensive network of global investors, which includes angel investors, private equity funds, co-investment platforms, wealth management institutions, family offices, VCs and acceleration centres.
• The 2020 Global Fundraising Stage is supported by the WBAF Angel Investment Fund (see Part B for details) , which aims to invest in startups of the GFRS 2020. It will provide a unique opportunity to 100 selected startups and scaleups to pitch their businesses on WBAF’s Global Fundraising Stage at its World Congress on 17 – 18 February 2020. [It is important to note that the WBAF Angel Investment Fund is only one of many investors and investing institutions that will be present at the GFRS 2020.]
• The mission is to showcase the world’s top startups and scaleups, which, typically, are funded companies in the process of raising €50K – €3M, with the aim of globalizing.
THE GFRS 100
We are allocating a special area within the World Congress of Angel Investors 2020 where 100 startups, scaleups, and high-growth businesses will each have a 4-square-metre area to showcase their business. They will thus have exposure to highly qualified angel investors, family office executives, co-investment fund managers, angel investment group directors, corporate venture executives, accelerator executives, technopark investment directors, venture capitalists and members of the WBAF Investment Committee of the WBAF Angel Investment Fund.
If you are an entrepreneur or an institution such as a technopark, incubation centre, co-working centre, or accelerator who would like to promote deals across borders and who is looking for additional rounds of funding or new partners for international growth, we encourage you to learn more about how your business can benefit from this unique opportunity.
Who should apply
There are two types of entrepreneurs on the GFRS 2020 and applications from both categories are welcome.
Startups: Promising businesses that have not yet raised any outside capital from angel investors, venture capital firms or other formal sources of seed funding who are seeking a finance. They need between €50K and €500K to scale up.
Scale-ups: Typically, these are companies that have received funding from angel investors or VCs and who are now raising €500K – €3M with the aim of internationalising.
Application
Applications will be accepted online only through a special GFRS 2020 link. This link will go live on 1 Septmeber 2020. Please remember to click on ‘Submit’ to ensure your application is sent.
https://wbaforum.org/Forms/Details/Apply-for-Global-Fundraising-Stage-2020/2
Timeline
1 September 2019 Applications officially opens online
22 December 2019 Application deadline
Weekly acceptance letters emailed with category designation 17–18 February 2020 WBAF 2020 & GFRS 2020
By working together across borders, with a common vision, and with these smart dynamics in mind, we are well placed to bring about positive change in the global economy
Join the World Leaders Programme, Apply for the Global Fundraising Stage, Become an investor of the WBAF Angel Investment Fund, Learn more about WBAF Business School Programmes, Request mentoring, Become an accredited mentor, Become a WBAF Speaker, Become faculty member of the WBAF Business School, Become a WBAF Institutional Member