Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC)
Application Page for Membership

FINC connects Startup Founders, Global Entrepreneurs, Qualified Entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs, Investors, Impact Investors, Angel Investors, Qualified Angel Investors, Business Consultants, Business Mentors, Personal Coaches, Faculty Members, Thought Leaders, Corporate Executives, University Startups, Junior Startups, WBAF Members, and Members of the International Chamber of Arts (ICA) across 148 countries.

A Message from the Executive Chairman

"As Chairman of the World Business Angels Investment Forum, I am proud to see the Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) serving as a trusted global gateway that connects entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to opportunities, knowledge, and mentorship. Through FINC, we continue our mission—aligned with the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion—to ease access to finance and empower entrepreneurs to build stronger, more inclusive economies worldwide."

Baybars Altuntas
Executive Chairman, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI)


Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC)

As an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is committed to easing access to finance, quality mentorship, coaching, and knowledge for entrepreneurs and investors worldwide. In line with this commitment, we are pleased to invite entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics, and ecosystem leaders to join the WBAF Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC)—a global digital platform designed to strengthen collaboration and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

Operated by WBAF, the Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) serves as a trusted gateway to global opportunities, connecting members to international networks, educational resources, mentorship programmes, and cross-border collaboration platforms. Through FINC, members gain access to investment readiness resources, qualified mentorship and coaching, curated knowledge content, and networking opportunities with leaders from diverse industries and regions.

FINC is designed to capitalise on the growing need for trusted global connections in today’s digital economy. By bringing together stakeholders from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the platform enables members to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and contribute to the development of resilient and inclusive business environments. Through WBAF’s global reach and partnerships, FINC supports the advancement of financial inclusion and the creation of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.

Membership in FINC provides valuable opportunities to:

  • Connect with global entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers
  • Access high-quality mentorship and coaching programmes
  • Benefit from investment readiness and capacity-building resources
  • Participate in international networking and collaboration initiatives
  • Gain insights and knowledge to support sustainable business growth

We strongly encourage professionals and institutions committed to entrepreneurship, investment, and inclusive development to join the WBAF Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) and become part of a distinguished global community shaping the future of the world economy.

We look forward to discovering visionary entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of industries worldwide.

With best regards,

Christina McGimpsey
Secretary General, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI)

The Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) is a global digital platform operated by the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), designed to connect entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics, and ecosystem leaders to advance financial inclusion, knowledge-sharing, and cross-border collaboration.

FINC membership is open to individuals and institutions engaged in entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, education, and ecosystem development. Typical members include startup founders, entrepreneurs, angel investors, qualified angel investors, venture capital professionals, wealth management executives, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics, business consultants, business mentors, personal coaches, innovation centre managers, representatives of the arts and creative industries, university-based startups, and early-stage (junior) startups.

FINC aims to:

  • Ease access to finance and investment opportunities
  • Provide access to qualified mentorship and coaching
  • Strengthen knowledge-sharing and education
  • Facilitate global networking and partnerships
  • Support financial inclusion and inclusive economic growth
  • Encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation

Applicants can register online through the official WBAF Financial Inclusion Center platform by completing the membership form.

Membership in the WBAF Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) is free for the first designated network membership.

Each member is invited to select one primary professional designation or network that best represents their main area of activity—such as Business Consultant, Startup Founder, Investor, Academic, or Mentor. Registration under this first (primary) designation is free of charge.

If a member wishes to register in additional professional networks or designations, separate fees may apply for each additional category.

For example, if an individual defines their primary role as a Business Consultant, this first designation is free. However, if the same individual also wishes to be registered as a Startup Founder and an Academic, additional membership fees may apply for those extra designations.

This structure allows members to benefit from free entry into the FINC ecosystem while providing flexibility to participate across multiple professional networks when desired.

Yes. FINC offers both individual and institutional membership options. Institutions such as universities, chambers of commerce, technoparks, investment funds, and innovation centres may join to provide their teams with global networking and collaboration opportunities.

The WBAF Digital ID Card is an official digital credential issued to FINC members. It verifies membership status and allows secure access to FINC services, programmes, and global collaboration tools.

Digital ID Cards are issued based on the member’s role and category. Common types include:

  • Startup Founder Digital ID
  • Global Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Qualified Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Woman Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Investor Digital ID
  • Impact Investor Digital ID
  • Angel Investor Digital ID
  • Qualified Angel Investor Digital ID
  • Business Consultant Digital ID
  • Business Mentor Digital ID
  • Personal Coach Digital ID
  • Faculty Member Digital ID
  • University Startup Digital ID
  • Junior Startup Digital ID
  • Member of the International Chamber of Arts (ICA) Digital ID

The Digital ID Card offers verified identity within the global WBAF ecosystem, priority access to selected programmes, eligibility for networking initiatives, enhanced professional visibility, and recognition within an internationally trusted platform.

  • develop your global network, share insights and exchange information with your colleagues from around the world,
  • benefit from the WBAF Business School’s online education programmes,
  • join global mentorship sessions,
  • pitch to global investors online at the Global Fundraising Stage,
  • open virtual exhibition booths for your business,
  • follow incubation and acceleration programmes online,
  • promote your businesses through the WBAF Global Startup Investment Promotion Agency (WIPA),
  • download WBAF Publication House coursebooks on entrepreneurship, angel investment, innovation and policy-making,
  • have one-to-one online meetings with potential investors in the WBAF Investors Room,
  • follow online global events and watch videos on entrepreneurship, angel investment, innovation and policy-making,
  • benefit from the WBAF Toolkit for startups and innovators,
  • benefit from the virtual library of the WBAF Business School,
  • join online dialogue meetings at the WBAF Café’,
  • teach and share your expertise and know-how by teaching courses as a faculty member at the WBAF Business School.

The FINC Credit System is a flexible usage-based system that allows members to access selected premium services within the WBAF Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC).

Upon joining FINC, each new member is automatically credited with 10 complimentary credits, allowing them to explore selected services at no initial cost. Each credit has a value of €1.

While many areas and services within FINC are free of charge, certain specialised services may require the use of credits. These services may include:

  • Joining country or specialised professional groups
  • Downloading selected publications and digital books
  • Accessing mentorship and coaching sessions
  • Participating in certain advanced networking or knowledge services

When members wish to access these premium services beyond their complimentary credits, they may purchase additional credits as needed.

The FINC Credit System is designed to provide flexibility, allowing members to pay only for the specialised services they choose to use while keeping core platform access widely accessible.

Credits may be used to access premium services, specialised programmes, advanced training sessions, and priority participation opportunities in selected initiatives.

While many areas and services within FINC are free of charge, certain specialised services may require the use of credits. These services may include:

  • Joining country or specialised professional groups
  • Downloading selected publications and digital books
  • Accessing mentorship and coaching sessions
  • Participating in certain advanced networking or knowledge services

FINC provides services including:

  • Fundraising events
  • Access to country groups
  • Access to video and document resources
  • Global networking opportunities
  • Investment readiness support
  • Mentorship and coaching programmes
  • Educational resources and certification programmes
  • Access to international collaboration initiatives
  • Knowledge-sharing platforms and research materials

Yes. FINC connects members with qualified mentors, coaches, and experienced industry professionals who provide guidance on business development, investment readiness, and market expansion.

Yes. FINC supports startups and scaleups by facilitating connections with angel investors, venture capital funds, and institutional investors through networking and global collaboration channels.

Yes. Members can access various educational programmes, including investment readiness courses, leadership training, and specialised capacity-building workshops offered through WBAF and its partners.

Yes. FINC is specifically designed to foster international partnerships and enable members to collaborate across regions, industries, and markets.

FINC promotes financial inclusion by providing equal access to knowledge, mentorship, investment networks, and collaboration opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors worldwide.

Yes. WBAF operates as an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), and FINC activities are aligned with global financial inclusion priorities and sustainable economic development goals.

The Country Groups at the WBAF Financial Inclusion & Networking Center (FINC) are specialised national communities designed to strengthen collaboration and networking at the country level. Currently, FINC includes 148 Country Groups, representing entrepreneurial and investment ecosystems from around the world.

When you join FINC, you automatically gain global-level access to members across the international network within your designated Digital ID category. However, if you wish to engage more deeply within a specific country ecosystem, you may join that country’s dedicated group.

For example, if you would like to actively connect with members in Türkiye, you may join the Türkiye Country Group by using a specified number of FINC credits. Once you join a country group, you gain direct access to members in that country across multiple professional categories, including:

  • Startup Founder Digital ID
  • Global Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Qualified Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Woman Entrepreneur Digital ID
  • Investor Digital ID
  • Impact Investor Digital ID
  • Angel Investor Digital ID
  • Qualified Angel Investor Digital ID
  • Business Consultant Digital ID
  • Business Mentor Digital ID
  • Personal Coach Digital ID
  • Faculty Member Digital ID
  • University Startup Digital ID
  • Junior Startup Digital ID
  • Member of the International Chamber of Arts (ICA) Digital ID

Country Groups are designed to support local collaboration, national ecosystem development, and cross-border partnership opportunities, enabling members to build trusted relationships and explore business, investment, and innovation opportunities within specific markets.

FINC provides several easy and effective ways for members to interact and build professional relationships within the global network. Members can send direct messages to connect individually with other professionals and initiate conversations.

In addition, members may upload a screenshot or digital image of their business card to their personal profile page. This allows members to exchange digital business cards with other members within their groups and networks.

All exchanged business cards are securely stored in a personal Business Card Folder, enabling members to maintain an organised digital record of their professional contacts and strengthen long-term networking relationships within the FINC ecosystem.

Yes. FINC members can share posts within the platform to communicate ideas, updates, opportunities, and knowledge with other members.

Members are encouraged to publish posts related to their professional activities, business updates, investment opportunities, events, research findings, educational content, and ecosystem initiatives. Posts can be shared within global networks, professional groups, and country groups, allowing members to reach targeted audiences and build meaningful engagement.

Sharing posts within FINC helps members increase visibility, promote collaboration, and contribute to knowledge-sharing across the global financial inclusion ecosystem.