April 2nd 2014: Skopje, Macedonia
The CEED Business Angels Club (CBAC) is one of the first angel groups to be formally established in Macedonia. Having had their first formal meeting on November 14, 2013, the group has now met five times to learn about angel investing and its processes, and to evaluate ‘pitches’ from Macedonia’s growth oriented entrepreneurs. This sort of collaboration is significant for what it means to financing Macedonia’s growing businesses, and fueling the Macedonian economy more broadly.
Macedonia’s angels attended the “Introduction to Angel Investing” workshop held in Belgrade, Serbia in early February, 2014 in an event sponsored by the USAID Regional Economic Growth Project (REG). David Beatty, the Managing Director of the New York City based and women focused Golden Seeds angel capital group, spoke about the responsibilities and best practices associated with becoming an angel investor. Members of CEED’s Macedonian Business Angels Club had the opportunity as well to network with local Serbian business angels, and to set the stage for future multi-lateral and regional opportunities.
The Club held its fifth meeting in CEED Macedonia’s office on April 2nd 2014 to discuss knowledge gained from the USAID workshop, as well as to review potential business investments. Mr. Peter Lazarov and Mr. Kalin Babushku from Macedonia Export LLC presented their business model and what services they provide in the export/import sector. In the second pitch of the day, Ms. Maja Ilievska from the Domino Effect proposed an alternative marketing solution for the fast food industry.
Indeed the CBAC is well underway, and its success will guide the development of angel programs more broadly for CEED. CEED’s deep network of growth-oriented entrepreneurs uniquely positions it to help catalyze the development of angel capital pools in Southeastern Europe, and the Macedonian program will guide our way.
For additional information, go to www.ceed-macedonia.org
