Agenda

See the full agenda

Or browse some of the 2023 topics here!

The Impacts of AI across Sectors

Taking center stage at our Congress is this high level discussion led by angel investors on how AI is shaping and revolutionizing the world as we know it.
 
We will hear from experienced investors like Pam Garside from Cambridge Angels about how AI is shaping the world of healthcare and then from Francoise Birnholz from the Swiss ICT Investors Club what will be AI’s impact on financial industries and services.
 
The panel will go beyond the latest developments of ChatGPT! We will dive much deeper into different AI use cases within startups, corporates, governments, and what the future may look like for different industries and perhaps even for our society.

Workshops for investors

This year we have special sessions for newcomers to the angel investment world, led by investor-mentors with decades of experience over hundreds of deals done.
 
These sessions will ultimately give you the inspiration and essential knowledge you need to in order to begin your journey as an angel investor.
 
Workshops encourage active participation, group work and are a great way to connect with peers to expand your own network.

Keynote speech by Lars Rasmussen

Lars Rasmussen is a Danish computer scientist, technology executive, and the co-founder of Google Maps. He was the director of engineering for Facebook in London. In early 2003, Lars and his brother Jens co-founded a mapping-related startup, Where 2 Technologies, which was acquired by Google in October 2004. Rasmussen became the head of the Google Maps team and worked at Google until joining Facebook in late 2010.

In 1990, Rasmussen graduated from the University of Aarhus with a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. He gained his MSc in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Edinburgh in 1992.

Rasmussen began his PhD, working with Mark Jerrum and Alistair Sinclair in the Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science at Edinburgh, then moved, with Sinclair, to Berkeley, California, USA.

He received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 1998, for his thesis “On Approximating the Permanent and Other #P-Complete Problems”.

Views from the US

Joined by our friends from the Angel Capital Association in the US, we will hear the latest developments happening on the other side of the Atlantic and how angels and their portfolio companies are keeping up in a rather turbulent 2023. Marcia Dawood (ACA and then add network she is from in US) and Ron Weissman (ACA and Band of Angels, Silicon Valley)  will be walking us through the facts and the figures that can help you make better angel investment decisions.

Roundtable on Building Angel Investment and Startup Ecosystems

Setting up a vibrant startup and early stage investment ecosystem can differ a lot depending on where you are on the map and on what foundations you are building on. Together with ecosystem builders and shakers from all over Europe, we will dive deep into the topic and find out some of the secrets behind growing your local entrepreneurship and investment community. If you have experiences to share or learnings you want to collect, this session is just for you.

Investing in the Middle East and North Africa

European investors and entrepreneurs looking for markets with huge growth need to look no further than MENA. During this session, we will learn more about the startup and early stage investment actors shaping the future from North Africa, Levant and the Gulf regions as well as how foreigners can invest or scale businesses in this part of the world.

VC and Angels - Investing and Exiting Deals

The relationship between the VC and angel investor community is fundamental for the success of startups but creating the correct alignment is key to bringing out the best from both investor worlds.
 
In our final main stage talk on 25 May, we explore how in 2023 business angels and VCs are investing and exiting their respective deals, highlighting the synergies and partnership models that can ultimately drive value creation for all.
 
From co-investments to secondaries, you need to stick around for this one.
*This is a draft agenda and is subject to changes*

24 May 2023

09:00-10:00

Registration (lobby area)

10:00-10:50

(Parallel sessions)

Entrepreneur Workshop

 
Investment Readiness

(powered by Bionanopolys/spread2inno)

Angel Investor Workshop

 

Understanding key aspects of angel investment – your role as an angel in the startup

Angel Network Management

 
Attracting the best deals to your network
Building Regional Startup and Investment Ecosystems – CEE and SEE Focus

11:00-11:50

(Parallel sessions)

Entrepreneur Workshop

 

Investment Readiness

(powered by Bionanopolys/spread2inno)

Angel Investor Workshop

 

Understanding key aspects of angel investment -Doing your first deals

Angel Network Management

 
Onboarding of new members and increasing diversity in your group
Cross Border Early Stage Investing – CEE and SEE Focus

12:00-13:30

Opening Cermemony of the Congress
 
Innovation Showcase

Greece – Round 1 (10 companies)

13:30-14:45

Lunch

15:00-16:50

Plenary Session – Welcome to the Congress
Seeding, Scaling and Exiting Success Stories

 

Keynote Speeches by:

– Angel Gambino, Athlete, serial entrepreneur and investor

– Lars Rasmussen, Business Angel and Google Maps co-founder

Followed by Panel Discussion on Startup Growth Hacks

 

Innovation Showcase

Greece – Round 1 (10 companies)

17:00-18:45

(Parallel sessions)

Building Angel Investment and Startup Ecosystems
Workshop for Responsible Research and Innovation
Pitching Showcase for DeepTech Startups working with Corporates
Innovation Showcase

 

Rest of Europe – Round 1

18:45-20:00

Networking Cocktail (Outdoor Terrace)

21:00-24:00

VIP Dinner (Venue – by invite only)

25 May 2023

9:30-10:00

Registration and welcome coffee

10:00-11:00

(Parallel sessions)

Entrepreneur Workshop

 

How Innovators Should Think

Ecosystem Collaboration

 

Investing in the Middle East and North Africa

Angel Investor Workshop

 

Investing During Challenging Times for Capital Markets and the Global Economy

11:15-13:00

Plenary Opening Ceremony – Main Hall (Center-Ellopia)
Establishing your Angel Strategy and Investment Insights for 2023

Keynote Speech by:

– Mark Schenider, Chairman NY Angels

Followed by Fireside chat with Peter Jungen, EBAN President Emeritus

Panel Discussion on Angel Investing in 2023 – The Impacts of AI Across Industries

Views from the US

With Keynote speech by:

Ron Weissman and Marcia Dawood, Angel Capital Association

13:00-14:00

Lunch

14:10-15:10

(Parallel sessions)

Innovation Showcase – Round 2

 

Top companies from Europe and Greece raising seed rounds

Ecosystem Collaboration:

 

Partnerships between Angels – Governments and Corporates
Building Gender Inclusive Investor Networks
Sector DeepDive

15:15-16:15

Plenary Session – Main Hall (Center-Ellopia)
Ecosystem Collaboration between Stakeholders:

With Keynote Speech by:

– Nektarios Tavernakis, Chairman EIT

Followed by Panel Discussion on: VCs and Angel Investors Working Together

16:30-17:30

(Parallel sessions)

Scaleup of the Month

Top companies from Europe and Greece raising follow-on funding 

Workshop for Entrepreneurs

Workshop for Angel Investors

Workshop for Tech Transfer from Universities to Markets

17:40-17:50

Closing ceremony day 2
 
Special announcements and winners of pitching competitions

(Main hall – Center – Ellopia)

18:00-18:45

EBAN General Assembly

(for Members only – Kassandros)

21:00-23:30

Gala and Awards Dinner

26 May – Explorer Program

Time

Session

Venue

10:00-13:00

Explorer Program – visit to Beyond Conference
Beyond – Vellidis Expo area

13:00-14:30

Lunch Break
Beyond – Vellidis Expo area

15:00-17:30

Explorer Program Tour –  visit of key innovation sites in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki city and surroundings