More than 200,000 participants from 148 countries joined the world’s largest celebration of entrepreneurship, angel investment, and financial inclusion.
The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), proudly concluded World Business Angel Investors Week 2026, a global celebration held from 22 to 28 June 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capital leaders, policymakers, academics, startup founders, innovation centres, chambers of commerce, development agencies, and ecosystem builders from every continent.
Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics, startup founders, and ecosystem builders worldwide are invited to re-watch the Grand Opening Ceremony, together with all Signature Celebrations and featured sessions, through the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center (FINC) digital platform.
Watch on demand: www.wbaforum.org/finc
(ANGEL INVESTOR REVIEW) – Organized under the global theme “Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship: Building Stronger Business Ecosystems to Increase Financial Inclusion,” the week reinforced the importance of entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable economic development and financial inclusion.
The celebration officially commenced with a globally livestreamed Grand Opening Ceremony, which attracted 118,345 online participants, demonstrating the growing international influence of World Business Angel Investors Week as one of the world’s premier entrepreneurship and investment platforms.
Opening the ceremony, Baybars Altuntas, Executive Chairman of WBAF, emphasized that stronger collaboration among governments, investors, entrepreneurs, and international institutions is essential to expanding access to finance and building resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
The Grand Opening Ceremony featured three distinguished keynote addresses:
- Inderjit Singh, Former Member of the Parliament of Singapore (1996–2015), delivered “Entrepreneurial Diplomacy in Action: Bridging the Political and Entrepreneurial Mindset,” highlighting how cooperation between policymakers and entrepreneurs can accelerate innovation and sustainable economic development.
- Rudy Aernoudt, Senior Economist at the European Commission, presented “Current Landscape of the European Startup Economy in the Current Landscape of World Affairs,” providing an insightful assessment of Europe’s startup ecosystem and its role within today’s evolving global economy.
- Shelli Brunswick, Senior Senator of WBAF, delivered “Opportunities for Startup Ventures and Angel Investors in the Space Economy,” demonstrating how the commercial space sector is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors worldwide.
The programme also included high-level roundtable discussions examining regional startup ecosystems, entrepreneurial diplomacy, cross-border investment, and the arts economy as a driver of innovation, creativity, and inclusive economic growth.
One of the defining features of World Business Angel Investors Week 2026 was the organization of Signature Celebrations across major innovation ecosystems around the world. In Europe, Belgium hosted the continent’s Signature Celebration. In North America, the United States led regional activities. The Middle East was represented by Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, both delivering high-impact programmes that strengthened regional entrepreneurial cooperation. Across Africa, Signature Celebrations were organized in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Togo, while Bolivia and Panama hosted Signature Celebrations in Latin America, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders to promote innovation, investment, and financial inclusion.
A major highlight of the week was the presentation of the World Excellence Awards 2026, recognizing outstanding national celebrations of World Business Angel Investors Week.
The Kingdom of Bahrain received the prestigious title of Best Celebration of World Business Angel Investors Week 2026, recognizing its exceptional leadership, outstanding programme, and significant contribution to strengthening entrepreneurship and investment ecosystems.
Nigeria was honoured with the distinction of Signature Celebration of Africa 2026, acknowledging its remarkable commitment to advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial inclusion across the African continent.
Commenting on the success of the week, Baybars Altuntas, Executive Chairman of WBAF, said:
“World Business Angel Investors Week has become a truly global movement. The extraordinary participation from every continent demonstrates our shared commitment to building stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems, expanding access to finance, and creating new opportunities for innovation-driven economic growth. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive and prosperous global economy.”
As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, WBAF continues to work closely with governments, investors, financial institutions, universities, chambers of commerce, development agencies, and international organizations to improve access to finance for startups and SMEs while promoting innovation, digital transformation, gender equality, and sustainable economic development.
With celebrations spanning every continent, World Business Angel Investors Week 2026 once again demonstrated the power of global collaboration in strengthening entrepreneurship and investment ecosystems worldwide.
Re-Watch the Global Celebrations
Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics, startup founders, and ecosystem builders worldwide are invited to re-watch the Grand Opening Ceremony, together with all Signature Celebrations and featured sessions, through the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center (FINC) digital platform.
Watch on demand: www.wbaforum.org/finc
The FINC platform provides permanent access to keynote speeches, regional celebrations, roundtable discussions, and exclusive content from World Business Angel Investors Week 2026, enabling the global entrepreneurship community to continue learning, sharing knowledge, and strengthening international collaboration long after the celebration week.
Quick Facts – World Business Angel Investors Week 2026
- Celebrated in 148 countries.
- Activities held across 5 continents and 2 regions.
- More than 200,000 participants joined celebrations worldwide.
- 118,345 online participants attended the Grand Opening Ceremony.
- 345 keynote speakers contributed to the global programme.
- More than 850 distinguished panel speakers participated in regional and international discussions.
- The programme featured addresses by 2 Presidents, 2 Prime Ministers, and 32 Ministers.
- Signature Celebrations were hosted in Belgium (Europe), the United States (North America), Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (Middle East), Nigeria, Tanzania, and Togo (Africa), and Bolivia and Panama (Latin America).
- Bahrain received the Best Celebration of World Business Angel Investors Week 2026 award.
- Nigeria was recognized as the Signature Celebration of Africa 2026.
All keynote speeches, the Grand Opening Ceremony, Signature Celebrations, and featured sessions are available on demand at www.wbaforum.org/finc
About the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is an international organization dedicated to easing access to finance for startups, scaleups, SMEs, and high-growth businesses. As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), WBAF works globally to promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment readiness while strengthening cooperation among governments, investors, universities, international organizations, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
