Early-stage investors will come together in Windhoek early March to celebrate the launch of NABAN – the Namibian Business Angel Investor Network. The launch will be part of a series of events including an informal information session with relevant parties in the ecosystem as well as a full-day masterclass with the founding members of NABAN. The masterclass will be followed by an informal dinner.
The events are organized by the Greentec Capital Africa Foundation in partnership with ABAN – the African Business Angel Network with the support of GIZ, the German Development Cooperation on behalf of the German Government. The Masterclass will be conducted by long-time investor and president of ABAN, Tomi Davies, with an introduction by Thomas Festerling, CFO, and co-founder of Greentec Capital. The full-day Masterclass will unpack the entire investment spectrum from deal origination, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, post-investment monitoring, exits as well as the fundamentals of managing an angel network.
The activities will take place at The Village Opera House, Lilliencron Street, Windhoek, Namibia.
Why Angel Investing?
The events are part of a shared effort to connect the network, knowledge, and capital needed to support the continued growth of Africa’s innovation sectors and to help maximize the continent’s entrepreneurial potential.
Entrepreneurship is a key driver for the continent’s continued development and should be a main driver in Africa’s economic growth, in particular, the high growth high potential ventures working to develop important innovations and disruptive new business models. This breed of company offers a significant source of employment and provides an important income stream for future generations contributing up to two-thirds of national GDP and providing the foundation for a stable middle class. They help form strong communities and are a powerful force for development.
The involvement of local African investors is seen as an essential component for often young entrepreneurs to be able to start and grow a company. Local investors understand the markets entrepreneurs operate in and the solutions being created for clients. This is Africans investing in Africa. Capital is only part of the value local investors contribute. Often mentoring, network and access to market are much more critical to founders and early-stage companies.
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Quotes
Thomas Festerling
Thomas Festerling, CEO of GreenTec Capital Africa Foundation, comments, “We have a special bond with Namibia, having established our African office in Windhoek.
Working closely with the GIZ to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem, the establishment of NABAN will build a bridge between supportive investors and early-stage startups which is the key to unlocking startup growth and success.
We believe this will create new opportunities for the country and by linking the local network to the ABAN can boost regional expansion.”
ABAN co-founder and Director General David van Dijk comments, “In the effort to push the ecosystem forward it is critical to increase the number of active investors on both a local and international level. By raising the profile of angel investing, we effectively lower barriers to participation and create the infrastructure required to welcome new investors”. He continues. “Building a continent of Angel investors. One at a time.”
Tomi Davies
Tomi Davies, President of ABAN, adds, “Angel investors play a key role in all successful entrepreneurial ecosystems and angel groups and investor networks need to be encouraged.
A major focus for ABAN is to educate angel investors and support them with the tools and knowledge they need to make effective early-stage investments.”
Anna Vambe, Project Manager Start-up Namibia: “Namibian Start-ups need Angel investors, they are ready. So far, only big tickets are available from the limited number of established PE/VC players in Namibia, starting from NAD 4 mio upwards.
We really need Angel investors to bridge the gap for seed financing starting with investments from NAD 100.000, which Namibian Start-ups are so desperately looking for. In addition, Angel investors bring with networks, access to markets and much needed technical assistance for our Start-ups.”
