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Numbers and Negotiations-WOMENA’s Angel Series Workshop Finance Edition  

On Saturday, April 23rd, entrepreneurs, investors and even finance professors gathered at our Ecosystem Partner The Cribb to explore the financial aspects of investing and fundraising. The workshop was part of our Angel Series, a curriculum which aims to give early investors and entrepreneurs the skills needed to successfully invest and work with angel investors.

First up we had WOMENA rockstar Elissa Freiha who gave a brief overview about who angel investors are and how WOMENA works with angel investors to provide fun and seamless investment opportunities and networks.

Next up was VC lawyer Shahram Safai from Afridi & Angell. His talk on term sheets gave everyone a solid understanding of which terms should be addressed and negotiated in a term sheet agreement or convertible note.

Finally, numbers ninja and WOMENA co-founder Chantalle used theory, quizzes and practical examples to demonstrate how to create and analyze financial projections, in order to understand underlying assumptions and evaluate a startup.

We enjoyed a full house at the event, with 30 attendees leaving the venue with new financial skills enabling them to make investments, and approach investors with greater confidence and increased knowledge.

WOMENA’s First Angel Series Workshop  

On February 20th, we hosted our first Angel Series workshop at our ecosystem partner in5. This is the first in an extended series of workshops designed to educate both entrepreneurs and investors on angel investment. The goal of the programme is to have participants finish with the skills and knowledge to start their investment or fundraising journey.

Our very own Chantalle kicked off proceedings with her talk “The Basics of Angel Investing” where she delved into the foundations of angels and angel investing. Ritesh Tilani, Managing Director of Innoventa, gave the talk “What makes a good startup” followed shortly by Shaheeda Abdul Kader, Strategy Advisor at iChanical and Investment Advisor, and her talk “Demystifying Due Diligence”.

We are phenomenally grateful to Ritesh and Shaheeda for giving such excellent talks and our ecosystem partner in5 for hosting us! You can find more photos on our Facebook page.

Details for the next Angel Series workshop will be released shortly. Stay tuned!

Angel Series Workshops on February 20th and April 23rd  

Join WOMENA for our two workshops in the Spring for both aspiring angel investors and entrepreneurs looking to raise funds. Participants can benefit from attending either workshop, but we recommend attending both to maximize value. Participants will leave the workshop with sufficient knowledge of angel investment to start on their fundraising or investing journey.

The event is open to all, regardless of background or financial experience. Tickets are free for WOMENA members. Investors should contact WOMENA for more information about membership.

February attendees will receive a 20% discount on the April 23rd workshop as well. Details will be released for the April 23rd workshop soon.

Agenda 

10:00am – 10:30am: Networking and Coffee 

10:30am – 11:10am: The Basics of Angel Investing led by WOMENA

The WOMENA team will introduce angel investing in a friendly, open environment and lay the foundations for the sessions throughout the day.

11:10am – 11:50am: What Makes a Good Startup? led by Ritesh Tilani 

If you’re considering investing in a startup, what should you look for in that company? From a strong team to market opportunity, Ritesh will examine what makes a startup a good investment opportunity.

Ritesh Tilani is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, with blue chip MNC and top-tier global consulting experience. Ritesh is currently Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Enhance, a holding company consisting of online businesses that provide life-enhancing services to consumers. In addition, Ritesh is as an advisor, angel investor and board member to multiple startups and accelerators, founder of the award-winning mobile loyalty platform for social good, CareZone and the former Head of UAE at iMENA Group. Ritesh is a native of the UAE with over 25 years of experience in the region. He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from INSEAD.

11:50am – 12:30am: Demystifying Due Diligence led by Chantalle Dumonceaux

What goes on in due diligence? What should you consider? What is of particular importance? Chantalle will go through the steps of the due diligence process

Chantalle Dumonceaux oversees operations, strategy, and investments at WOMENA. She worked in Zurich and New York with startups and angel groups, where she has been involved in every facet of the angel investment process. Upon seeing what a positive impact angel groups make on society, women, and entrepreneurship, she decided to specialize and co-founded WOMENA to help Gulf women get involved in angel groups. She received her Bachelors in Economics from Columbia University in Economics.