CBAA

The Czech Business Angel Association (CBAA) operates as the national association for angel investors within the Czech Republic, focused on representing their collective interests and fostering a supportive investment landscape. Founded in January 2020, the association was established to cultivate a vibrant and professional entrepreneurial environment guided by high ethical standards. The organization's inception was driven by the idea of strengthening the ecosystem through collaboration, with Karel Obluk, a former CTO of AVG Technologies and now a partner at Evolution Equity Partners, elected as its first president. Other founding members include prominent figures like Jiří Hlavenka and Petr Skrla, along with investor groups Keiretsu, Garage Angels, and Fazole Ventures.

CBAA's core mission is to bridge the gap between investors and early-stage companies, providing the necessary capital access that transforms promising ideas into successful ventures. The association actively works to raise awareness about angel investing, aiming to attract new investors who may not have previously considered this asset class. It provides a platform for members to share experiences, network, and access co-investment opportunities. Furthermore, CBAA represents the interests of the angel community in discussions with both domestic and international institutions and is a member of the European Business Angels Network (EBAN) and Business Angels Europe (BAE). A significant initiative is the establishment of a community for investors interested in defence and space technologies, which it views as a crucial area for European development and a significant investment opportunity.

The business model is based on membership fees, which are set at different rates for individual and corporate members. Members gain access to a network of peers, educational resources, and a framework for professional conduct outlined in the association's ethical codex. This code emphasizes investing for the benefit of the startup, maintaining confidentiality, and acting with transparency and fairness. The association serves individual angel investors, investor groups, family offices, and funds, facilitating connections with startups in need of early-stage funding.

Keywords: angel investing, Czech Republic, startup ecosystem, venture capital, early-stage investment, investor network, business angels, seed funding, capital access, entrepreneurship support, investment community, tech investment, Fazole Ventures, Keiretsu, Garage Angels, Karel Obluk, Jiří Hlavenka, European Business Angels Network, EBAN, defence technology, space technology