The Business Angel of the Year Award (BAY) recognizes the most outstanding, engaged, and active private investors who play a significant role in supporting the startup ecosystem in Poland. Established by COBIN Angels, the largest professional association of business angels in Poland, the award strengthens the recognition of angel investing as not only a viable way of allocating capital but also a formidable career path.
Every year, the business community of Polish entrepreneurs, top managers, startup founders, venture capitalists, and other investors, nominate the most distinguished early-stage, high-risk investors, who demonstrated their dedication to bolstering innovations and developing young companies.
The nominating process is open to everyone who wishes to indicate a private investor embodying the qualities of collaboration, business acumen, and expertise. It is also possible to nominate yourself.
The perfect candidate for the BAY award should be:
Nominations are gathered through an online form, available HERE.
The candidates for the BAY Award are reviewed by a special Committee, which assesses them in terms of successful investments, cooperation with startups, and dedication to promoting angel investment. The Committee is comprised of established investors and entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the subject, as well as the BAY partners and laureates from previous years. The Committee’s deliberations are confidential, while the results are announced during the official BAY Award Ceremony.
Every year, investors, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and top managers gather for a gala that brings together the individuals powering the Polish startup ecosystem. The gala is a celebration of the growing business angel community and its positive influence on the market. While the networking and social aspects are an indispensable and enjoyable part of the meeting, the key point of the program is the BAY Award's presentation.
Wojciech Kostrzewa is the CEO of Billon, a fintech company specializing in blockchain technology. Before, Wojciech spent 28 years building large banking and media companies. He worked as the CEO of the media conglomerate ITI Group and banks Polski Bank Rozwoju and BRE Bank (today mBank). He also managed the activities of Commerzbank in Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Polish Business Roundtable, the deputy chairman of the supervisory board of ERGO Hestia, and the member of the board of directors of Stadler Rail and the supervisory board of Canal+ Polska.
Dawid Urban is a business angel, entrepreneur, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. He co-created the CHIC Group and its e-Smoking World brand, currently a part of the British American Tobacco group. Dawid is also an owner and co-owner of several companies, including well-known clothing brands (e.g. Local Heroes, Sugarfree). Initiator and co-founder of Take & GO autonomous chain stores.
To learn more about the 2020 BAY and nominate a business angel, follow the link below. To see the BAY 2020 Regulations, click here.
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