BiD Network Marketplace 2007

Amsterdam, December 4th.

The Award Event on December 4th was followed by an International Marketplace made possible by the Rabobank and energised by E+CO. The goal of the Marketplace was to enable entrepreneurs to find investors and network for their future businesses. Based on the popular BBC TV series Dragon's Den, the finalists presented an Elevator Pitch of their business plan to a panel of investors.

The Marketplace was a great success. A lot of serious networking took place and piles of business cards were exchanged. On the 4th, 13 entrepreneurs found investors who were eager to commit funding and 4 investors actually agreed to invest on the spot. The day after, 25 entrepreneurs had follow up meetings with investors, based on the contacts they made at the marketplace.

One of the entrepreneurs actually came to the conclusion that the total amount of finance offered to him that day by investors, exceeded his total financing need. He had to face a dilemma: do I disappoint one of my financiers or should I consider upscaling my business?

At the end of the Marketplace Diana Morales was awarded the ICCO Public Choice Award by Cora Jansen, director of communications and lobby. Visitors of the Marketplace voted for the plan that most contributed to poverty reduction in their opinion.

Personal Experiences

"Even though I didn't win prize money, I was approached by an investor at the Marketplace. Now I've got the amount of money I need to start my bicycle cart business in Malawi" Peter Meijer, finalists 2007.

"One investor asked me a lot of questions about my business. In the end he said " OK, I will invest $28, 000.00 in your business. Just send me the business plans and I wlll remit the money to you." Gene Bongo, winner BiD Challenge Philippines 2007

"The BiD Challenge has become a unique platform to match small and medium-sized businesses from all over the world with investors. Today is the place where the daredevil entrepreneurs meet venture capitalists. The two ends meet." Michael de Groot, Rabobank Foundation.

In case you are interested to find out what would be possible for you go to:
www.bidnetwork.org/invest