World Leaders - Profiles & Expectations
As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, the World Business Angels Investment Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society — first and foremost in business and political spheres — to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. WBAF engages with a wide range of institutions — public and private, local and international, commercial and academic — to help shape the global agenda of early and post-early stage equity markets and global startup economy. WBAF holds that, with the participation of individuals and institutions from multiple sectors and from all parts of society, real progress can be achieved.
To reach its goals to empower the world economy through innovation, startups and qualified investors, WBAF co-operates with both individuals and institutions. In order encourage and facilitate engagement with WBAF’s world vision, WBAF has developed a World Leaders Programme for individuals.
WBAF World Leaders
WBAF holds that, with the participation of individuals and institutions from multiple sectors and from all parts of society, real progress can be achieved. One way WBAF does this is through its High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners. Becoming a WBAF High Commissioner, Senior Senator, Senator or International Partner involves embracing activities that are designed to serve the global community.
WBAF World Leaders are diverse group of top global innovators and disruptors that range from niche market leaders to regional champions collaborate to address key issues. They are tasked with identifying emerging trends and furthering the Forum’s mission of easing access to finance globally.
WBAF believes that by combining regular, small contributions from many dynamic High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners around the world, we all benefit from shared learning, better networks and increased exposure.
High Commissioners / Senior Senators
High Commissioners and Senior Senators represent businesses with a strong regional presence or a strategic interest in a particular region. Each is committed to promoting economic and social development at various levels. Their access to the Forum’s multi-stakeholder network and experts provides visibility and offers insights into strategic decision-making on important regional and global issues.
Profile
WBAF High Commissioners and Senior Senators are typically individuals who hold high-level positions of responsibility or who are known as influencers or thought leaders. These may include respected members of the country’s business community.
• High Commissioners are the highest level representatives of their country in the WBAF Grand Assembly.
• They possess a strong network and an ability to open doors for new entrants into their country’s market.
• There is normally only one High Commissioner per country, and more than one Senior Senator. In certain cases, an additional High Commissioner may be appointed.
WBAF High Commissioners and Senior Senators are expected to
• be well connected with policymakers and all players of the local ecosystem.
• support WBAF in its mission in their country at the highest levels.
• attend and vote in the Grand Assembly at the WBAF Annual World Congress (World Congress of Angel Investors).
• raise awareness at policymaker level about the importance of the startup economy.
• encourage the establishment of a WBAF country office.
Please note that there is no application process for becoming a High Commissioner or Senior Senator. It is by invitation or nomination only.
Senators
Senators are actively engaged in carrying out the Forum’s mission in their countries. Their status affords them privileged access to multi-stakeholder networks of the Forum and its experts, providing visibility and strategic insights into the decision-making processes related to some of the most significant cross-border investment issues. It also allows them to contribute to positive change and to engage in initiatives that support economic development in their home countries.
Profile
WBAF Senators are the movers and shakers of their country’s ecosystem. They may be, for example, academicians, members of their country’s stock exchange, technopark members, active in country-specific angel networks and/or the chamber of commerce, professionals of global corporates or involved in policymaking.
• WBAF Senators hold a professional position and have an extensive network, are able to mentor on specific subjects, and are willing and able to share their know-how.
• They are eager to integrate the local ecosystem with the global ecosystem.
• They energise and motivate.
WBAF Senators are expected to
• be active in daily communication via the WBAF WhatsApp group.
• follow daily events and keep relevant parties informed.
• encourage and initiate collaboration between WBAF and the players in their country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• attend and vote in the Grand Assembly at the WBAF Annual World Congress (World Congress of Angel Investors).
• take an active part in WBAF committees.
• raise awareness at policymaker level about the importance of the startup economy.
• encourage the establishment of a WBAF country office. (Senators who take a leadership role in establishing a country office will automatically be designated as Senior Senator.)
International Partners
International Partners are active at local, regional and global levels, working to develop insights which will inform strategic decision-making on issues that are critical to their own industry and to cross-border investments. Interaction between International Partners and the Forum’s High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and area experts and various networks drives positive change.
Profile
WBAF International Partners are potential Senators, people who want to engage with WBAF to expand its mission and who are able to contribute to the WBAF community.
International Partners are expected to
• be active in daily communication via the WBAF WhatsApp group.
• follow daily events and keep relevant parties informed.
• attend the Grand Assembly at the at the WBAF Annual World Congress (World Congress of Angel Investors).
• take an active part in WBAF committees.
Expectations from World Leaders – High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators, International Partners
EXPECTATION 1
MAKE EFFORTS TO OPEN A COUNTRY OFFICE
The World Business Angels Investment Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society, first and foremost in business and political spheres, to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. WBAF engages a wide range of institutions – public and private, local and international, commercial and academic – to help shape the global agenda of early-stage equity and capital markets.
WBAF country offices are one vehicle for doing this. Launching a country office involves embracing activities that are designed to serve the global community of startups, angel investors, innovators, SMEs and entrepreneurs. With the combined contributions from the dynamic WBAF country offices around the world, all of us benefit from shared learning, better networks and increased exposure.
EXPECTATION 2
DEVELOP A NATIONAL WBAF ECOSYSTEM IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY
High Commissioners, Senior Senators and Senators are expected to develop a national WBAF ecosystem to connect all players of the early and post-early stage equity market. They will promote WBAF activities and develop relationships with a range of institutions in their own country to the best of their ability. As internationally recognised influential individuals who are active players in capital markets, they are expected to use their networking skills. Each WBAF High Commissioner, Senior Senator and Senator will be a key contact person for various institutions in their national WBAF ecosystem, for example:
• Government ministries related to entrepreneurship, SMEs, economy, investment
• Stock exchanges
• Chambers of commerce and industry
• Technoparks
• SME agencies
• Innovation centres/parks
• Incubation centres
• Acceleration centres
• Banks
• Crowdfunding platforms
• Corporate ventures
• Family offices
• Wealth management institutions
• Private equity funds
• Unregulated secondary markets
• VCs
• NGOs
EXPECTATION 3
ATTEND THE GRAND ASSEMBLY AND THE ANNUAL WORLD CONGRESS
WBAF High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners are expected to attend the WBAF World Congress every year. As VIP guests, they will each have a reserved seat at the Grand Opening session. They will also be honoured as VIP guests at the World Excellence Awards and the VIP Gala Dinner. New WBAF High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators, and International Partners will be introduced to the world community of capital and equity investment markets through an induction ceremony at the next Grand Assembly.
What are the financial responsibilities of WBAF World Leaders (High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners)?
Responsibilities for the following lie with High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators, and International Partners:
Online Access Ticket for the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center (€750): This ticket grants access to the WBAF World Congress online, including all past sessions. Its validity extends until December 31, 2024. To maintain your position as an International Partner or Senator and sustain involvement with WBAF, it is necessary to renew the ticket annually every December at a fee of (€500).
Offline (in-person) Congress Ticket (WBAF World Congress Registration): A discounted rate is applicable for the Full Pass, with the Congress Ticket price varying each year (generally between €500 and €800). The price is disclosed four months before the Congress. The upcoming Congress is scheduled for November 18–20, 2024, in Bahrain.
The World Congress Ticket includes free entrance to all sessions of the World Congress; the World Excellence Awards VIP Gala Dinner; the VIP Lunch with Ministers; WBAF Business School Masterclasses and Workshops; the Global Women Leaders Summit; the Global Startup Summit; the Global Science, Technology and Innovation Summit; the Ethical Governance Summit; the Global Fundraising Stage; and the Grand Assembly.
• Airfare between your city and the Congress city
• Airport transfers in the Congress city
• Hotel accommodation during your stay in the Congress city
Please note that 2024 WBAF World Congress is currently being planned for 18 - 20 November 2024 in Bahrain. With your Access Ticket to the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center, you will have the opportunity to re-live the some parts of the Congress after it ends, online. ( Grand Assembly and Global Fundraising Stage)
New High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners should upload their Online Access Ticket to the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center along with the Terms of Reference and a high resolution photo in order to proceed with their appointment process.
WBAF reserves the right to change the Congress city, the dates, the venue, the programme, and the offline ticket prices.
EXPECTATION 4
BECOME THEIR COUNTRY’S GLOBAL VOICE
As the global voice, WBAF High Commissioners and Senior Senators are expected to be available from time to time for media interviews, to promote WBAF initiatives through their personal networks, and to encourage appropriate organisations, government departments and individuals in their country and the national WBAF ecosystem to participate in the WBAF Annual World Congress, WBAF initiatives and membership programmes.
WBAF High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners are expected to be highly active on social media. They are encouraged to share comments, notices, and articles on the WBAF LinkedIn page, the WBAF LinkedIn Group and the WBAF Facebook page.
WBAF has special WhatsApp closed groups for WBAF High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners. This facilitates communication and ensures a good flow of information.
EXPECTATION 5
ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS TO WBAF
WBAF High Commissioners, Senior Senators, Senators and International Partners are expected to attract new members to the global efforts of WBAF to foster economic development worldwide.
The WBAF membership program addresses some of the world’s top companies, corporate ventures, stock exchanges, chambers of commerce and industry, technoparks, technology transfer offices, SME agencies, innovation centres, banks, regional development agencies, incubation centres, acceleration centres, crowd-funding platforms, VCs, business angel networks and entrepreneurs (startups, scaleups, high-growth businesses and SMEs), each of which plays a key role in shaping the future of their particular industry as well as the future of their respective investment markets. Many members participate in the Forum’s various communities, strengthening their engagement with the Forum’s various events and special projects.
EXPECTATION 6
JOIN WBAF COMMITTEES
Committee members work in close cooperation with each other to help shape regional and global agendas in the global and regional investment markets. Through this cooperation, they all contribute to the global knowledge base and benefit from it as they develop the focus of Forum initiatives.
There are 4 committees you can join if you are a High Commissioner, Senior Senator, Senator or International Partner:
• Global Women Leaders Committee
• Global Startup Committee
• Global Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
• Ethical Governance, Standards of Excellence & Quality Leadership Committee
By contributing to better policymaking, sharing best practices, and engaging stakeholders beyond commercial objectives, the committees of the World Business Angels Investment Forum do have a real impact on issues of worldwide concern.
Global Women Leaders Committee
WBAF convenes a Global Women Leaders Committee, an international gathering of women founders, leaders, and mentors for learning, connecting and innovating. It is the first WBAF committee dedicated to women, and its focus is on propelling women-led startups, scaleups, SMEs and high-growth businesses. A global group of luminaries from the realms of business, art, politics, and philanthropy come together to shape and shake the future.
Mission statement
The Global Women Leaders Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum is committed to leveraging unique access to the world’s most influential woman leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and artists—uniting these global forces to harness their collective knowledge, address today’s critical issues, and generate innovative solutions.
Global Startup Committee
The Global Startup Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum gathers the most influential pipeline managers, deal flow experts, business angel network managers, fund managers and qualified mentors to find innovative solutions that provide entrepreneurs easy access to smart finance.
Mission statement
The Global Startup Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum is committed to helping the next generation of great companies move forward and to showcase the world’s top startups and scaleups (typically, funded companies in the process of raising €50K–€1M) at the Global Fundraising Stage (GFRS),* establishing a superior deal flow pipeline that connects investors with superior startups, and through training and mentorship, to help the next generation of companies that are seeking to raise funding in order to grow and scale their businesses, bridging qualified investors and entrepreneurs and creating a global community that attracts the best deal flow, the most knowledgeable experts and fosters continuous and evolving interactions amongst community members.
*The Global Fundraising Stage (GFRS) is an international co-investment platform for angel investors, startups, scaleups and high-growth businesses.
Global Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
With advancements in digital transformation, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and more, there has never been a better or more challenging time for leaders of the global innovation and technology ecosystem. The Global Innovation and Technology Leaders Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum gathers some of the world’s most influential of these leaders to explore today’s biggest technological challenges, foster deep collaboration, and generate new ideas.
Mission statement
The Global Innovation and Technology Leaders Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum is committed to connecting innovators with smart finance, creating a better environment for innovation, helping inventors commercialise their inventions, fostering the kind of creative thinking that leads to innovation by open learning and skill development, and accelerating technology transfer around the world.
Ethical Governance, Standards of Excellence and Quality Leadership Committee
WBAF convenes an Ethical Governance, Standards of Excellence, and Quality Leadership Committee, an international gathering of thought leaders, policymakers, founders, leaders, and mentors for learning, connecting and innovating. This group includes global luminaries from the realms of business, art, politics, and philanthropy whose mission is to encourage the universal entrepreneurship ecosystem to endorse essential standards for ethical governance, standards of excellence, and quality leadership.
Mission Statement
The Ethical Governance, Standards of Excellence, and Quality Leadership Committee of the World Business Angels Investment Forum aims to strategically position WBAF’s wide spectrum of tasks to (a) Promote WBAF corporate culture ideologies within a robust Circle of Trust that encompasses good individual and communal conduct, (b) contribute and enhance the focal principles of a superior Code of Conduct, Core Values, and Behaviour Drivers, (c) support the active engagement of all stakeholders by facilitating access to necessary resources so as to enable proper multi-dimensional adherence and (d) encourage the universal entrepreneurship ecosystem to endorse these essential standards and adopt a practical path for their successful global implementation.
You are invited to visit the following link to know current board members of the Committees: World Business Angel Investment Forum (wbaforum.org)
WBAF COUNTRY OFFICES
A country office serves as a bridge between the national and international ecosystem. Launching a country office involves embracing activities that are designed to serve the national community of startups, angel investors, innovators, SMEs and entrepreneurs. By combining contributions from the many dynamic WBAF country offices around the world, all of us benefit from shared learning, better networks and increased exposure.
The following country offices have already opened:
• WBAF Bahrain Country Office
• WBAF Croatia Country Office
• WBAF Ghana Country Office
• WBAF Nigeria Country Office
• WBAF Tanzania Country Office
• WBAF Thailand Country Office
• WBAF USA Country Office
• WBAF Miami Office
WBAF will focus on establishing additional country offices in coming years so as to make best use of its existing human resources. Therefore, any High Commissioner, Senior Senator or Senator who wants to implement a project such as organising a course programme from the WBAF Business School, hosting a Global Fundraising Stage, organising a roundtable, or conference in their country is invited to first initiate the process for opening a country office.
Please contact Ms Christina Mc Gimpsey to learn about the following:
• Benefits for the economy of your country of opening a country office
• The objectives of a country office
• The business model for running a country office
Here you can download more about the WBAF:
01 WBAF About_Compress.pdf (wbaforum.org)
Contact:
Christina Mc Gimspey
Secretary General, World Business Angels Investment Forum
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI)
Christina.McGimpsey@wbaforum.org
