Esade BAN Grows During Pandemic Thanks to Commitment of the Network

In 2021, Esade BAN invested €4.1 million in 27 new projects, the second-highest annual figure in the network’s history

The success of Esade BAN is based on being a network that functions as a community of connected entrepreneurs and investors who support one another. Together they foster innovation and achieve a greater positive impact on society. This mutual value creation and community building allows members to share experiences and grow together – a unique distinguishing feature of the Esade Alumni business angels network.

Entrepreneurship is about bringing ideas to life. Esade Alumni encourages the network to put their projects into practice, thereby contributing to business progress and generating a positive impact on society by acting as a liaison between entrepreneurs and investors. Beyond connecting startups with investors, Esade BAN provides all of its entrepreneurs with a complete entrepreneurial ecosystem, through Esade and Esade Alumni, where they can find everything they need to develop and launch their projects and companies, and make them grow rapidly and successfully.

Founded in 2006, Esade BAN is made up of 230 private investors, most of whom are business angels, family offices and representatives of venture capital, corporates, and investment groups. Over the past 16 years, the network has invested nearly €40 million in 240 companies, with an average investment per project of €170,000 (each investor invests an average of €30,000 per startup).

Deeptech: the sector attracting the most investments

Despite the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, Esade BAN received more than 400 project proposals. Those selected (97) were presented at 18 investment forums (Seed Forum, Growth Forum, Expansion Forum, Healthcare Forum and Deeptech Seed Forum). A new initiative in 2021 was the Traveltech, Tourism and Hospitality Challenge, focusing on sectors hit hard by the pandemic, and the Deeptech Seed Forum, which this year was held in conjunction with Barcelona Activa and five other universities. In addition, a new edition was held on the future of the real estate industry or proptech.

Accounting for 61% of this year’s startups, the sector that attracted the most investments was deeptech, a field that uses technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, augmented or virtual reality, photonics and deep learning to offer solutions.