finding capital for new businesses in belgium for expatriates by wouter bogaert and leo exter
DESCRIPTION
Expats find it difficult to find funding for their businesses in Brussels. It's difficult - but not impossible; four useful tips are in this presentation.TRANSCRIPT
Finding capital fornew businesses in Belgium
Prepared by Wouter Bogaert, Leo Exter
Traditional approach
• Friends, Fools, Family• Business angels
• And eventually… Venture Capital
Funding isn’t easy for anyone
Don’t waste time hoping it will just happen!
Funding in Belgium will be harder for you
• Your different mentality and experiences may be difficult to follow for locals
• You might not have the references that make sense to local investors
• You might pick up and leave from one day to the next
BUT: Investment is a rational
decision.
Prove yourself, and it’s possible.
Good news:
4 ways to prove yourself
Bootstrap
• You likely need less money than you think
• Keywords: – “lean startup”– “minimum viable
product”– “shipping”
Earn your stripes
• Experience– Join a startup as
co-founder
• Business degree from Belgian school– Vlerick– Solvay
Friends, Fools, Family back home
Aim for FFF with business background: they serve as reference
Partner up with a Belgian
Seems obvious, doesn’t it?
It’s tough, but not impossible!
• Web: www.westartup.eu • Email: [email protected]
[email protected] • Twitter: @westartup• Facebook: www.facebook.com/westartup