EUROPEAN BUSINESS ANGEL NETWORK EUROPEAN ... - Idepa

5. Lobbying
EUROPEAN BUSINESS ANGEL NETWORK - Directory of Network 2005
Since 2000 and mid 2001, the Belgian BANs used BeBAN as a platform to discuss with the
Finance and Banking Commission in order to clarify the scope of BAN intervention and the
compatibility of their action with Belgian legislation on public issues and the obligation to make
a prospectus. Because of this legislation business proposals cannot be submitted to more than
50 people and business angel networks cannot ask for money from the entrepreneurs looking
for money in their function as a matchmaker. If this would be the case, entrepreneurs are
obliged to write a prospectus.
6. National/regional Support
All BANs in Belgium have secured financial support from their regional government. This
support varies from region to region because of the fact that the economical policy is a
regional (not a national) competence.
The support of all regional authorities constitutes an official recognition of the contribution of
Business Angels to the stimulation of the Belgian economy.
In Wallonia, a guarantee scheme for BA-investments was installed through Sowalfin.
7. EU support
The European Commission supported several initiatives:
� Awareness actions
Ten awareness seminars have been conducted in the late 90’s. They were co-ordinated by the
Réseau des Jeunes chambres économiques. Seminars were held in Bruges, Kortrijk, Gent,
Antwerp, Leuven, Hasselt, Brussels, Mons, Liège and Wavre.
� Feasibility studies
Two feasibility studies were co-funded in Belgium: one done by GOM Vlaams Brabant and
NCMV and another done by PYTHAGORAS n.v. , a private company.
� Pilot projects
DG Enterprise supported one pilot project in Belgium. The beneficiary was the Vlerick Leuven
Gent Management School.
� ERDF-support
One network was supported through the European Regional Development Fund. The
beneficiary was Limburg BAN vzw, which merged into the new Flemish network: BAN
Vlaanderen.
� Interreg III
3 Belgian organizations (BAN Vlaanderen, SOCRAN and WfG Ostbelgien), together with a
German (AGIT) and a Dutch (LIOF) partner started the Interreg-project Euban in January
2004. EUBAN is a tri-national network in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, which aims to generate
more BA-activity in this region and to enhance cross-border investments through BA’s. Euban
is partially subsidised through Interreg III-funds.
8. Dissemination of the BAN concept
The Dutch-speaking economic daily newspaper Financieel Economische Tijd published
articles on BANs operating in Flanders. So did the French-speaking daily L’Echo for the
Walloon networks. Many articles were originally inspired by the BAN's initiatives and by the
efforts of Mr Rudy AERNOUDT, a Belgian European Commission official.
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