For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) looking to diversify beyond traditional investments like real estate and stocks, angel investing offers a unique opportunity to shape the future.
The second edition of Invest in Moonicorns: The Art of Angel Investment by Growceanu, taking place in Bucharest on October 1-2, aims to tackle the topic of startup investing by bringing together seasoned investors and those new to it.
Why angel investing?
In a world where only a small fraction of HNWIs venture into startup investment, events like Invest in Moonicorns aim to bridge the gap. Early-stage technology companies, often referred to as “moonicorns”, present high-risk but potentially high-reward opportunities. While these startups are not yet as visible as unicorns—companies valued at over $1B—they have significant growth potential when backed by business angels.
Angel investors play a critical role in the success of these startups, contributing not just capital, but also their experience, networks, and industry insights.
Petr Sima, Founder of Czech Depo Ventures, explains: “High profit always comes with high risk. By investing in tech startups, we shape the future. And that brings the highest rewards. Just remember the basic rules: invest in a portfolio, be patient. Success doesn’t come easy or fast.”
A growing startup ecosystem in CEE
The goal of the event is to foster greater understanding of angel investing among HNWIs in Romania, a market with an estimated 91,000 individuals holding assets exceeding $1M, according to the Global Wealth Sizing Model by Knight Frank. By showcasing the opportunities and risks of investing in startups, Growceanu seeks to position angel investing as a viable and attractive option for portfolio diversification.
Founded in 2018, Growceanu has facilitated over €3.3M in investments across sectors like PropTech, MedTech, and AI. The platform connects investors with early-stage startups, focusing on building diverse portfolios of 8-10 companies over a span of two to three years. It currently includes a community of around 1,000 investors, many of whom have contributed to the development of several promising startups in Romania and beyond.
The two-day event will kick off with a conference discussing essential topics like the macroeconomic landscape for startups, strategies in angel investing, and the risks and rewards of investing in disruptive technologies such as AI, Web3, and quantum computing. The knowledge will be shared by speakers with the skin in the game such as Janne Jormalainen, Chairman of EBAN, Iulian Stanciu, Executive President at eMAG, Nina Dremelj, President of the Slovenian Business Angels community and others. The second day will continue with a networking session at Bucharest’s Museum of Recent Art.
“This is one of the very few events dedicated to angel investors, offering an excellent opportunity for Invest in Moonicorns to become a benchmark for this type of investment in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Ciprian Man, co-founder of Growceanu. He added, “We also aim to help more high-net-worth individuals understand what angel investing entails and inspire them to become investors themselves.”
