On 7–8 February, this year’s Connect2Capital event was held at the Clarion Post Hotel, where investors and growth companies meet to match up ideas with capital. Drawing around 450 participants from 14 countries, the event continues to generate valuable meetings with companies that are seeking capital and investors.

For two days each year, local, national and international entrepreneurs and investors take over the Clarion Post Hotel. The Connect2Capital event enables companies that are seeking capital to meet investors and business angels at a single venue.

“It can sometimes be difficult to reach out with your product, so this is a great opportunity to meet everyone at the same time,” said Marlene Sjöberg, founder and CEO of the IT company RaceOne, which is developing an app for monitoring competitors in various sporting events.  “This is the first time I’ve taken part at Connect2Capital, and I think it’s a great idea and a natural meeting place for networking.”

In addition to a stage programme with keynote speeches and pitches by companies, the entrepreneurs have an opportunity to pre-book individual meetings with investors to sell their ideas as effectively as possible.

“It’s important for the participants to prepare in order to make good deals. Companies that are seeking capital need to practise their pitches and business angels need to do their research. One development opportunity could be to arrange a number of smaller meetings during the year as practise sessions,” says Stina Jernhed, Business Developer at Connect Väst and Project Manager for Connect2Capital.

The Trade & Industry Group has been co-arranger of Connec2Capital since 2014.