The International Faculty and our research centre, SEERC, at the EBAN Winter University 2016 in Zagreb

The International Faculty of the University of Sheffield, CITY College and SEERC participated in one of the largest angel investor conferences in Europe that took place at the EBAN Winter University 2016 in Zagreb. Prof. Panayiotis Ketikidis, Vice Principal of the International Faculty and Dr Andreas Baresel-Bofinger from SEERC represented CITY College at the EBAN Winter University, the most international business angel event.

Distinguished speakers, such as Dov Moran from Israel, the inventor of the USB stick, emphasized the endless opportunities for market commercialization of innovative business ideas. Martin Mössler from the European Space Agency ESA BICs brought it to the point: “If you take gravity out of the equation the sky is not the limit.”

The event provided plenty opportunities for networking and future possibilities of cooperation for joint EU projects. In parallel to the conference the ‘CISCO Entrepreneur in Residence Programme’ and the ‘Global Investment Forum’ took place.

The event was organized by the Croatian Business Angel Network CRANE and the EBAN Winter University under the high auspices of the President of Croatia.  Within the event, there were more than 1200 attendants from around the world, including business angels, early stage investors, startups and students. Participants gathered to learn and discuss the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship and startup development. Important topics, among others were the commercialization of innovative research and the role of governments, universities and investors in this process; open innovation; funding opportunities for spin-offs; cross-border startup funding; impact investment and gender equality in entrepreneurship. 

Participating in large and impactful events like the EBAN Winter University  comes in alignment with the International Faculty’s mission to liaise academia with the industry, promote extroversion and bring fresh entrepreneurial ideas and trends into the classrooms, providing students with students practical knowledge.