EstBAN angels took an afternoon on March 9 to gather for the annual general meeting in the Club of Different rooms, to go over the past year and recognize the most distinguished members.
New horizons and board for EstBAN
We shared what has happened in 2022 and made plans for the 2023. The president of EstBAN Lev Dolgatsjov and CEO Anu Oks introduced what’s to come. There’s much in store – EstBAN has a brand new cross border training programme 4NGELS with Finnish Business Angels Network FIBAN, Cobin Angels from Poland and Slovenian Business Angels as partners to enliven angel investing across the borders. Tarmo Jüristo introduced SALK and explained how data can be collected, viewed and manipulated.
As is the custom, the new board members are chosen during the meeting, and so also this year the majority votes were cast and new board members to accompany the remaining 4 are: Kristi Saare (continuing from the previous lineup), Jaak Ennuste and Robert Laud. Each of them brings another expertise on the table. Can’t wait to hear how the new elected board will contribute to the EstBAN’s future!
The most notable were awarded
The Cross-border Ambassador 2022 award went to Hugues Flament, our dear Belgian angel who is making a huge effort to participate in the EstBAN’s activities as much as possible from afar.
Partner of the Year 2022 was given to Swedbank Eesti for the continuous collaboration and purpose to educate entrepreneurs and encourage them to take up the courage and look into the dacquire skills and knowledge needed for angel investing.
Lead Investor of the Year 2022 was given to our board member Mait Sooaru, whose excellence and kindness has not gone unnoticed.
Angel Investor of the Year 2022 as well as the Newcomer of the Year is Marti Soosaar, one of the very fresh members who joined EstBAN in 2022 and has shown an example and taken angel investing up a storm after exiting from his startup Stebby. EstBAN Ecosystem Award 2022 was given to United Delivery Mission, an organisation founded a few EstBAN members Ivar Siimar and Riivo Anton, and has gone and beyond to help Ukraine in their fight for freedom by sending equipped cars and running activites to show our support. Role Model for Female Investors 2022 was given out for the first time. Our long standing member Kristel Meos accepted it to show that it is important to stand out for those meek 8% of female business angels that are EstBAN’s members and encourage others to join and not be afraid to add startups in their portfolio and explore the exciting world of startup investing.
Thank you everyone for being with us – members and partners! Lets continue to strive for a more impactful, cohesive network and more welcoming startup community for all founders and angel investors!
