Get All Access for $5/mo

The Investor's View: Does Attending Ecosystem Events Improve Chances Of Investment? BECO Capital co-founder Amir Farha on whether events presence are considered when funding startups.

By Amir Farha

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

How many ecosystem events have you attended this year as an entrepreneur hoping to meet a potential investor? Startups tell us that one of the primary reasons they choose to go to MENA region events is to improve their chances of funding. We asked investors based in the Middle East, from angels to VCs, to talk back and give us their views on whether startups attending events were better positioned to garner investor interest.

THE Q When assessing startups for potential investment, do you consider how often they attend events in the ecosystem?

"In short, none of the companies that we've invested in today were found through events. One can argue that the best entrepreneurs are the ones who don't have time to attend events, and are too busy working on their existing business. That said, I think events will become an interesting source of deal flow as the ecosystem matures and more entrepreneurs are looking for funding so much so that it's di cult for VCs to review all the incoming deals, and attending events allows them to separate signal from noise."

Related: The Investor's View: Does Attending Ecosystem Events Improve Chances Of Investment?

Amir Farha

Co-founder & Managing Partner, BECO Capital

Amir Farha is an entrepreneur, angel investor, startup advisor, and mentor. He has looked at early stage businesses from every angle, starting with a Swedish corporate VC firm based in London, followed by a stint at what was then the first seed capital fund in the MENA region, the Arab Business Angel Network (part of Dubai International Capital), before becoming an entrepreneur himself. Farha has invested in and confounded a number of local businesses, including Toolman, a property maintenance businesses; Purple PR, a boutique PR company which he successfully exited in 2012; and Tandem Partners, a startup and small business advisory firm in which he pled over 80 companies plan and grow their businesses. Farha is a co-founder of BECO Capital, and he currently sits on the board of two portfolio companies.
Women Entrepreneur®

Here Are The Shortlisted Nominees Of The Mastercard Women SME Leaders Awards 2024

The nominees have been selected following a rigorous vetting process by the Entrepreneur Middle East team, as well as a judging committee chaired by Mastercard and industry leaders.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growth Strategies

The Business Case For The Integration Of Women In Labor Markets

We must free half of Arabic societies from constraints that prevent women from contributing to the prosperity and growth of Arab economies, and shield the countries of the region against risks and causes of chronic de-development.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Growth Strategies

Cultivating A Growth Mindset: Strategies For Personal And Professional Development

By helping nurture meaningful relationships and embracing life the way it unfolds, cultivating a growth mindset is a must for personal and professional growth.

Growth Strategies

"We Got Funded!" UAE-Based Silkhaus Raises Undisclosed Multi-Million-Dollar Pre-Series A Round As It Doubles Down On Expansion Plans

Silkhaus' tech-driven platform promises asset owners an income that is 20-40% more than what can be earned via traditional rental models.