Investors are living through the most exciting time in 400 years!
Is Entrepreneurship about Invention or Innovation? If you watch any of the Dragons Den type shows on TV you would be forgiven for thinking that the way to become an entrepreneur is to invent a new product. Look through history and it is littered with inventions that have changed the world. As Emerson is reputed to have said ‘Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door’. Yet not only do we no longer live in the sellers market that Emerson did in the in late nineteenth century, the reality is that just like a ‘better mousetrap’ entrepreneurship is about refining what has gone before to create even more value for others. Any investor that is waiting for the perfect invention, is in for a long wait.
In February 2018, over a thousand of the top entrepreneurs and investment professionals from around the world are going to be gathering in Istanbul, Turkey for the annual World Business Angel Forum. This years topic is Innovation. While innovation is most definitely at the core of entrepreneurship it is an area that has been sadly lacking in finance and investing.
Fortunately that is changing and we are in the middle of probably the most exciting changes in investment and funding since the Dutch East India company decided to sell shares to the public in the 1600’s. This means that listening to and learning from the best thought leaders in this area from around the world will be critical to seeing where the market is going next.
Innovation typically takes 3 forms. Incremental, Disruptive and Radical. As far as investment for startups and early stage companies, the last few years has most definitely touched all three of those areas. Whether it is crowdfunding, the rise of Angel investing, or the recent flood of money into Initial Coin Offerings (ICO’s), the world of early stage investing has changed beyond recognition in the last 10-20 years.
Yet there is also change at the other end of the equation. No longer are companies in a hurry to go public. IPO’s are down 50% from 20 years ago meaning it has never been easier to invest in a company, yet conversely it has also never been harder to exit. Secondary markets and innovations like Agglomeration have popped up to serve both the entrepreneur and the investors who wish to support and profit from them.
Governments, policymakers, and key players of the equity markets will gather for WBAF 2018 and will be focusing on building partnerships, fostering connections, and discussion of democratising access to finance. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an Investor it is time to get innovative and get yourself to Istanbul.
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
When: 18 – 20th February 2018
How: Tickets at http://wbaf2018.istanbul/
World Business Angel Forum is an official partner of AsianEntrepreneur and supports Entrepreneurs around the world.
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This article is part of the World Business Angel Forum media partnership with AsianEntrepreneur.org
If you would like more information about WBAF, please contact Callum Laing WBAF High Commissioner for Singapore. [email protected]
