“Bucharest, 27 October 2010 – VentureConnect is a unique initiative on the Romanian market, launched by the law firm Biriş Goran, aimed at facilitating direct contact between investors and entrepreneurs developing growing IT and Internet-based projects. The second edition of the event, organized by Biriş Goran together with Evensys, shall be held on 8 December 2010 at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, along with NetCamp 2010 with the support of Nokia, Microsoft, Kaspersky Lab and Seed Money.
VentureConnect intends to be a platform which allows entrepreneurs to interact directly with well-known international as well as local investors in order to obtain know-how and expansion capital for their growing businesses.
The project was launched this year and during the first edition on 10 June 2010, 9 pre-selected local entrepreneurs pitched their businesses and projects to over 25 attending investors.
“Romania remains “uncharted territory” for most foreign investors in the IT/online sectors, and consequently they have been rather slow to invest. However, VentureConnect has begun to bridge the gap between such investors and Romanian entrepreneurs, and as such interest in the upcoming event by both investors and entrepreneurs has already exceeded our expectations”, stated Daniel Vişoiu, Partner of Biriş Goran.
VentureConnect has an advisory board comprising well-known entrepreneurs and experienced attorneys who are also licensed to practice in the US, with their primary roles being to select projects and to mentor the chosen participants with respect to their pitches to be made to potential investors.
In addition to its founding members, Ana Maria Andronic (Senior Associate with Biriş Goran) and Daniel F. Vişoiu (Partner of Biriş Goran), the board also includes Marius Ghenea (a renowned entrepreneur and business-angel), Radu Georgescu (a well-known entrepreneur and President of Gecad), Orlando Nicoară (general manager of Apropo Media and a well-respected online entrepreneur) and Dragoş Rouă (an experienced online entrepreneur).
The VentureConnect event will include two sessions. During the first session the selected entrepreneurs will pitch their projects, with the second session involving face-to-face discussions with the participating investors.