Training of business angels
is best practice
 “We have to develop training to get new business angels, because those that do not get training will end up inactive". This is the conviction of Sally Goodsell, CEO of Finance South East in the UK. In 2006 alone, this British organisation managed to gather investment of around €10 million for emerging businesses, from concept to seed stage. “And most of the investment comes from the private sector, which includes business angels", confirmed Sally Goodsell, who took on the goal of securing 5,000 new investors in the South East of the UK by 2011. She has got a well defined strategy to achieve this. “We have to bet on more information, education, training, seminars and workshops. That is what the investors need”, declares the CEO of Finance South East.
It is precisely to satisfy those needs that institutions like Solvay Business School, in Belgium, have dedicated part of its resources. Jean-Claude Ettinger, the school’s representative, believes “the training of business angels is good practice, and the best way to develop networks”. And how can you train business angels’ skills? Jean-Claude Ettinger explains: “by gathering knowledge, know-how, best practice, attitude and information sharing networks".
From business angel to business angel
 Solvay Business School introduced practical courses to increase the number of business angels with the appropriate training. The training sessions include five days and four afternoons in three months, also including two seminars, case studies examination, interactive reading, workshops, sharing of best practice and access to reference guides. The training staff does not include any academic. “They are experienced business angels, specialised consultants, venture capitalists, lawyers, head hunters, tax and governance experts. All training staff has something useful to pass on”, states the school representative. The next course will take place from September to December.
Active business angels were also the choice for training staff at Go Beyond, the institution created in Malta two years ago, having nowadays expanded their training to London, Paris, Zurich and Geneva. The curriculum is divided into eight specialised modules, and the school tries to combine training with investment experience, explains Brigitte Baumann, CEO of Go Beyond. “People want flexibility, physical lessons and many practical activities. Entrepreneurs want to know what business angels think, and that is why we chose them as our training staff, thus stimulating communication between companies and business angels". Go Beyond has also observed a high demand for virtual lessons, a favourite amongst workers. “We cannot forget that we are in an embryonic market, so we have to remind everyone that, although the local framework is important, there are issues which are global, and therefore they must listen to as many opinions about them as possible. She concludes: "there is no doubt that training works better when it combines classes and real investment experiences".
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European Business Angels Week 
