Istanbul: 50 startups debut at business angels forum

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - In Istanbul on Tuesday, the World Business Angel Investments Forum (WBAF) hosted 53 startups from more than 20 countries wooing investors.

In Turkey’s commercial capital, entrepreneurs presented their projects with visual flair to attract investment.

The two-day forum, which started on Monday, is hosting hundreds of angel investors from all around the world, along with policymakers and representatives from financial institutions and leading companies.

The startup projects and investors largely focused on IT and mobile technologies.

On day one of the event, several Balkan leaders, including Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Kadri Veseli, president of the Assembly of Kosovo, gave speeches.

The forum also featured Turkey's Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu and former Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek.

The forum on Monday signed two international agreements with Kosovo and Ghana to boost their start-up economies and innovation.

This year, the event was organized under the theme of "Connecting angel investors with private equity funds to boost innovation."

The forum also gave a recognition award to Anadolu Agency, which has been its global communications partner for the last four years.

During the event, 110 speakers from 42 countries gave speeches in nearly 30 programs such as panels, masterclasses, and international workshops.