Through this partnership, for the first time in India, an open channel will make it easy for initial founders to connect with new entrepreneurs. This will allow for more new high quality startups to receive the crucial inflow of first investment funds.

Partnership will provide assistance to significantly enhance the success rate of early stage businesses

In a bid to help accelerate the growth and success of young entrepreneurs in India, National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN), India’s leading catalyst for entrepreneurship education and Indian Angel Network (IAN) India’s first and leading angel investing network, have come together to facilitate first of its kind platform for angel investors and new entrepreneurs.

Angel investment, an area still in nascent stages in India, is a vital part of the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem that needs to be strengthened. The NEN-IAN partnership will help provide additional support to the growing base of young entrepreneurs who need mentorship and initial funding.

Through this partnership, for the first time in India, an open channel will make it easy for initial funders to connect with new entrepreneurs. This will allow for more new high quality startups to receive the crucial inflow of first investment funds.

In addition, to take this connection even further, NEN and IAN will initiate angel forums for select entrepreneurs to raise awareness and generate deal flow. The forums will include issues on angel investing, pitch sessions, advice and mentoring to individuals. Individuals will be able to submit their proposals through NEN’s comprehensive online community tool www.nenonline.org.

Education is an integral part of the IAN-NEN partnership. NEN and IAN will work together to help educate new entrepreneurs on the nature of Angel Investing, and how they can prepare to attract angel funds.

Laura Parkin, Executive Director, NEN says, “The mentoring and money that comes with angel funds is critical for a startup’s success. Unfortunately, today in India it can be pretty hard to find. NEN is delighted to be partnering with IAN to help more young entrepreneurs connect with this valuable resource. NEN’s partnership with IAN will help strengthen angel investing in India, and help increase the flow of angel funds for startups.”

Padmaja Ruparel, Vice-President, Indian Angel Network reiterates, “Angel investment is a relatively new concept in India. Individuals do not have easy access to angel funding. IAN’s partnership with NEN is an endeavour to reach out to new and future entrepreneurs with a clear approach and increase the number of successful young entrepreneurs in India.”

About NEN
National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) is a not-for-profit initiative of the Wadhwani Foundation working to inspire, educate and support the younger generation of entrepreneurs. Currently NEN is working with more than 285 top-tier academic institutes reaching over 3 lakh young people across 30 cities of India.

The organization was co-founded in 2002 by leading Indian institutes, including IIT-Bombay, IIM-Ahmedabad, BITS Pilani, SP Jain and IBAB. NEN’s annual Entrepreneurship Week (E Week) India is a nationwide campaign to celebrate the opportunities of today, and help improve the ecosystem for entrepreneurship in India. NEN’s support to member institutes includes on ground consultants; a nationwide network of peers; an online platform - www.nenonline.org; the NEN Speakers Club; as well as courseware and other teaching resources. NEN’s advisory board includes eminent experts such as Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Biocon; Naina Lal Kidwai - HSBC; Arun Seth - British Telecom and Prof Howard Sevenson - Harvard Business School to name a few.

About Indian Angel Network
Started in April 2006, The Indian Angel Network (IAN) is India's first and largest Angel network with successful entrepreneurs & high net worth individuals from India and overseas interested in investing in early stage businesses. Apart from funding, the Network also provides mentoring, strategic thought leadership and leverages the members' networks for the investee companies. The Network has invested in multiple sectors like Information Technology, Intellectual Property, Hospitality, Mobile, Education, Internet, etc.

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