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.
Leadership

Work-Life Balance is a Lie — Here are 4 Ways You Can Be Fully Invested in Both

The article argues that entrepreneurs should prioritize being fully present in both work and family life by delegating tasks, setting boundaries, celebrating achievements and nurturing meaningful relationships for true success.

Business News

'Really Hard to Find a Job': 1.7 Million Job Seekers Have Been Looking for Work for at Least 6 Months

It now takes an average of around six months to find a job, one month longer than it did it 2023.

Social Media

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statue 'The Embrace' Unveiled in Boston to Mixed Reactions Online

A bronze statue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in Boston is being panned online for being ambiguous in appearance.

Marketing

Five Things A Marketing Manager Needs To Operate To The Best Of Their Capabilities

As a marketing manager, achieving success in your role requires a combination of both tangible resources and intangible qualities.

Entrepreneurs

Dubai-Based Search Engine Meekd.com Raises First Funding Round

Dubai-based global online search company meekd.com has raised its first round of seed funding for an undisclosed amount.

Starting a Business

He Immigrated to the U.S. and Started a Business. It's 'Not the Sexiest' But Sells Over 6,000 Units Daily — Up to $25,000 Apiece — Anyway.

When 16-year-old Amir Loloi emigrated from Iran, he didn't intend to stay in the U.S. forever. Then those plans changed.