In addition to the EXPO Capital Quest event, the Congress featured pivotal workshops and discussions aimed at advancing gender equality within the business community. Taryn Andersen, CEO and Co-Founder of Impulse4Women, conducted a highly impactful workshop, equipping women entrepreneurs with practical guidance and strategic insights on securing investment, techniques for attracting investors, crafting compelling pitches, and understanding investor expectations.
EXPO Capital Quest in Tallinn Catalyzes Women's Entrepreneurship in Europe and Central Asia
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On May 21, the EXPO Capital Quest event concluded the year-long Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO journey in Tallinn, Estonia, under the EBAN Congress 2024. Co-organized with European Business Angels Network (EBAN), the flagship event aimed to enhance the women's entrepreneurship ecosystem across Europe and Central Asia.
The EXPO Capital Quest brought 26 prominent women entrepreneurs from 12 countries in the region, providing a strategic platform for them to expand their professional networks, forge valuable connections with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders, and exchange critical insights with international experts.
During the EXPO Capital Quest pitching event, 11 women founders presented their innovative business ventures to a panel of leading investors and angels from across Europe. The session showcased the entrepreneurial talent within the region and underscored the potential for women-led businesses to drive economic growth and innovation.
The 26 women entrepreneurs were selected from a competitive pool of 1,400 applicants who aspired to be part of the Women's Entrepreneurship EXPO 2023. These exceptional entrepreneurs successfully completed all phases of the EXPO journey, which included intensive bootcamp and orientation sessions, participation in satellite and virtual EXPO events, and a comprehensive mentorship program designed to prepare them for the EXPO Capital Quest and take their businesses to the next level.
I encourage women entrepreneurs to become part of UN Women’s EXPO journey as it is a great opportunity to create good connections, get in touch with investors and benefit your business and ideas.
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Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO is a huge opportunity to know others and make yourself known. I encourage every woman to be proud of herself, believe in herself. You are not alone, there is a huge community here where you can have our support.
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My tip to women entrepreneurs is to focus on networking. As founders, we have a long run while securing an investment from meeting business angels to venture capitalists. So, it’s very important to build a solid network.
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Selma Prodanovic, Vice President of EBAN, organized and moderated the session "Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Term Sheets: A New Paradigm for Founders and Investors," which initiated vital conversations on fostering inclusive business practices. Ana Pashalishvili, our Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator Specialist, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. "Inclusive practices, especially concerning care responsibilities, are essential to unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs," she stated.
The EXPO Capital Quest reaffirmed the commitment to fostering an enabling investment environment for women entrepreneurs in Europe and Central Asia.
Looking ahead, UN Women remains focused on driving forward the agenda of women’s entrepreneurship and champion women in business.
EXPO Capital Quest is the final phase of the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO, a unique partnership platform to promote women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem building in the Europe and Central Asia region, led by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Yıldız Holding as part of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator supported by Mary Kay Inc.