Ghent-based funding agency The Harbour and the Belgian private investors network BeAngels have entered into a strategic partnership. By doing this, both companies reinforce their role in the Belgian funding landscape. This collaboration is a logical step, according to Claire Munck, CEO of BeAngels and Marijke Van de Sompele, CEO of The Harbour: “This partnership creates a broader ecosystem which benefits Belgian entrepreneurs and growing companies greatly.”
Greater access for entrepreneurs
This partnership entails that, from now on, both parties will proactively share their networks with each other. Thus allowing entrepreneurs to access a larger network of investors, but also making it easier for entrepreneurs to compile a balanced funding mix. “We each have our own role and strengths”, Munck clarifies. “Whereas BeAngels specialises in smart capital, The Harbour concentrates on finding the right financing strategy for ambitious companies. The cases provided by the Harbour extend the offer for our business angels looking for investing opportunities in growing companies.”
The partnership proves to be a great asset for The Harbour too, says Van de Sompele. “Our entrepreneurs now have access to a larger network of investors. We have fewer connections in the French-speaking part of our country, so we’re looking forward to presenting our first cases to the angel investors of BeAngels.”
Creating a Belgian ecosystem
For both CEOs, this is a new step towards a Belgian funding ecosystem. “We want the best entrepreneurs from our country to have access to the best investors and vice versa. This cooperation is for the both of us a first step towards an ecosystem that will break through the language barriers”, according Munck and Van de Sompele. Thursday 21 April will mark the first time that the business angels of BeAngels will be presented with two financing cases from the network of The Harbour.