12.05.2006
21:39 Uhr
Page 128
Drumming up Business “There are three kinds of networkers,” says American entrepreneur David Nour, “Givers, takers, and those who invest.” Two networks, the LBAN (Luxembourg Business Angel Network), and NOBELUX (Belgian-Luxembourg Nordic Countries Chamber of Commerce) exist fundamentally to bring together people who want to invest in business. The purpose of the LBAN is to introduce local Business Angels (private investors keen to involve themselves with entrepreneurs through investing both their business acumen and money) to deserving entrepreneurs. This process is part of building a new tier of Luxembourg businesses. “We are the private face of the public-private investment partnership in Luxembourg,” said Michael Morris, Secretary and founding member of LBAN asbl. “We are integrated with the key Luxembourg institutions involved in assisting interesting entrepreneurs in finding both the capital and intellectual investment they need to succeed. This will facilitate a coherent, consistent approach to enabling entrepreneurs to receive the attention they deserve and simultaneously offer our Business Angel members an opportunity to extend their contribution to the development of business in Luxembourg. Further, we are linked internationally with other business angel organisations to coordinate and share opportunities.” The LBAN was launched in November 2004 with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, LuxInnovation, 123Go! Centre Henri Tudor, First Tuesday, etc. The LBAN hope to make money out of their activities, although this is not something in any way guaranteed. What they hope and expect is that their activities will bring new businesses to Luxembourg, and although Chairman, Karl Horsbourgh, has expressed some frustration at the lack of entrepreneurial spirit and support in Luxembourg at times, they claim that this has already happened. NOBELUX sets itself up as the business link between the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) and Belgium and Luxembourg. Through a series of luncheon meetings and other non-regular events, they offer a “networking platform for company leaders and other senior executives.” Mathilde Nankwaya is their hardworking founder and Director, promoting Luxembourg as a centre of business in Sweden, organising top-level guest speakers at the luncheon, and trying to facilitate meetings between venture capitals and entrepreneurs, amongst her other activities. || M. C. 128
[>> 127] give the food. Kieffer says there are perhaps 7,000 people (a bit of an eye-opener!). Lions make contact with social workers who tell them the precise needs of each person (if they have children, for example, or if they are elderly or ill) so they can prepare boxes with food chosen especially for each needy recipient. Another action they have is their “Prix Lions”. This is an annual prize of 7,500 euros plus recognition in a number of scientific and artistic fields. This year’s recipient at the June 1 2006 ceremony will be Mr Jean Flick for his, “personal engagement to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in favour of scientific research in the fields of geophysics and his role as initiator and founder of the European Centre of Geodynamics and Seismology.” This is the first year that they have honoured an engineer and the timing is perfect. Kieffer says that they want to support the initiatives of the university and in particular research and development. Flick represents to them the sort of profile that should be admired and celebrated in the hope of encouraging more young people to consider a future such as engineering. “We do not lose many members,” says Kieffer, and they do, of course, socialise and have fun. But serving the needy, the poor, the isolated and the unlucky is their “raison d’être”. A fine club in which to be accepted as a member is an honour, indeed. || Mary Carey
Lions in Numbers As of May 31 2004, Lions Clubs International had 1,373,404 members in 47,030 clubs and 745 districts in 193 countries and geographical areas. In Luxembourg, District 113 is divided into four zones and coordinates 23 clubs with more than 900 members, divided into 15 male clubs, 1 female club, 5 mixed clubs plus 2 Leo Clubs (mixed). Their pin is their only distinguishing sign. There is an approximate mix of 80% men to 20% women, and women were only admitted 14 years ago.
“We Serve.” Georges Kieffer, Governor – District 113, 2005-2006, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Photo: Luc Deflorenne
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