1. An overview of the
ACCESS ICT Project
Miguel Trujillo, COO, EBAN
29 June2011

2. Introduction
• FP7 supports ~2000 ICT R&D (budget €9.1bn)
• 2013: 7.41% of EU Budget devoted to research and
innovation*
• Few FP R&D projects commercialise their results and
spin out a viable business. Many new technologies,
products and services never reach the market
• BA and VC Funding can be an effective way of
commercialising research and growing innovative
product or services into successful businesses
• Angels and VC investors always look for ICT innovations
and business opportunities
*Source: Green Paper : From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU
Research and Innovation funding

3. Who are we?
EBAN: European Trade Association of business
angels, seed funds and other early stage investors
115 organizations - 26 countries – c. 25,000 investors
It represents the interests of 2/3 of the business angel
groups operating in Europe
Lead partner of ACCESS ICT

4. ACCESS-ICT: A project led by the investment community.
• An initiative targeted at FP6& 7
funded early stage ICT SMEs and ICT
research projects looking for funding
from VC and angel investors.
• ACCESS ICT is a free service funded by
the EC (DG Information Society and
Media), led by EBAN with the
partnership of Angel Capital
Innovations, the consultancy
company of London Business Angels.

5. Why is EBAN involved in ACCESS ICT?
1. Lack of investment readiness: entrepreneurs
do not understand and fulfil investor
requirements
– Reasons:
• Historically, knowledge transfer has been monetised by
licenses - less costly to sell knowledge than create a
business
• The scientists that develop the new technologies:
– Lack entrepreneurial aspirations
– Lack management skills and market knowledge

6. Why is EBAN involved in ACCESS ICT?
2. Almost 50% recorded investments in
Europe by angels are in ICT
Source: EBAN Statistics Compendium 2010

7. Why is EBAN involved in ACCESS ICT?
3. Increase cross border investment
4. Creation of a pan European network of
investors in ICT
5. Identify key policy recommendations

8. Benefits for SMEs &
Research Teams
• Free coaching and mentoring to become
investment ready
• Access to tailor-made tools (eb. Tool Kit)
• Participation in one-to-one clinics and
evaluation of investment readiness.
• Introduction to investors and funding events
across Europe (locally+pan-European).

9. Benefits for Investors
• Exclusive source of high quality deal flow
based on ICT innovations
• Opportunities to participate in targeted
events, workshops and discussions lead by
expert fellow investors
• Access to network of ICT venture capital
experienced investors, organised around EBAN

10. Policy Recommendations
1. Increase capacity building of research projects and SMEs to
strategically plan for investment
2. Raise awareness Europe-wide concerning the role of angel and
venture capital investors.
3. Streamlining the road to market and contact with investors
• Involving investors in selection panels for R&D projects
• Ensuring that proposals include focus on commercialization and
investment potential
4. Leverage private sector involvement in the market
• Stimulate the growth of more early stage equity investments in ICT
SMEs through new business angel-led co-investment funds,
including cross border to leverage both angel finance and business
building skills.
5. Building an entrepreneurial and financing ecosystem

11. CONTACT DETAILS
EBAN Secretariat
Rue Vautier 54
1050 Bruxelles
+32 2 626 20 63
info@eban.org
www.eban.org
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