Bucharest, 9 December 2010 – The second edition of VentureConnect held on 8 December 2010, organized by the Biris Goran law firm in collaboration with Evensys and under the umbrella of NetCamp 2010, generated a substantially greater amount of interest due to the recently announced investment from the first edition held in June 2010.
TJobs.ro, the recruitment platform for jobs outside of Romania, is currently in the closing phase of a partnership with a group of foreign and local investors, for an overall investment of approximately Euro 500,000, with the deal originating from a pitch at VentureConnect’s June 2010 edition.
Calin Stefanescu, CEO TJobs, advises Romanian entrepreneurs: “First, they should know their business, the market and their competitors very, very well. Second, they should take advantage of feedback to the fullest extent possible – wherever this might come from, and last but not least, they should show courage, perseverance and responsibility in order to carry out their projects.”
At the first edition of VentureConnect, nine pre-selected entrepreneurs pitched their projects to over twenty Romanian and foreign investors interested in the IT/Internet/technology sectors. The second edition featured eleven entrepreneurs who pitched to over thirty Romanian and foreign potential investors.
The following edition of VentureConnect will take place in May or June 2011.
“VentureConnect, launched in June 2010, is a unique project for the Romanian investment environment. What makes it unique? The fact that it facilitates direct contact between Romanian entrepreneurs and investors interested in the dynamic IT, online and technology sectors. Also, it is contributing tremendously to the growth and opening of the respective Romanian markets ,as well as providing the means by which Romania’s best and brightest entrepreneurs may become known at the international level,” says Daniel Visoiu, Partner with Biris Goran and co-founder of VentureConnect.
“Because we, Biris Goran, believe in the potential of the Romanian market, in the quality and the creativity of Romanian entrepreneurs, the next reasonable step was to use the extended network that the law firm has in the international investment environment and to bring to Romania those investors which are directly interested in the IT, online and technology markets. If I were to briefly describe VentureConnect’s main objectives, I would say that it is to open up these markets internationally and raise the level of investment to the next level,” explains Ana Maria Andronic, Senior Associate with Biris Goran and co-founder of VentureConnect.
In addition to the founding members, VentureConnect’s Board comprises well-known names in the Romanian business environment: Marius Ghenea, entrepreneur and investor, with an important contribution to the promotion of local entrepreneurs’ quality: Radu Georgescu, a well-known entrepreneur and President of Gecad, Marius Ghenea, a renowned entrepreneur and President of Fit Distribution, Orlando Nicoara, General Manager of Apropo Media, and Dragos Roua, an online entrepreneur.
Confirm your attendance
Thank you for your interest in VentureConnect. The final edition will take place on 23rd of November, at Hotel Intercontinental in Bucharest. In order to confirm your participation, please fill in the following details.
Who should apply?
Entrepreneurs with ongoing businesses and developing projects in the IT/Internet/Technology areas who are in search of more than EUR 250,000 for expansion capital.
Together with GECAD Group, we are launching a new funding opportunity for startups in the fields of software, web, technology and ecommerce. The seed investment grated through VentureConnect starts with EUR 50.000 for each session.
Application Process
Close to Cluj? Select VentureConnect Cluj button on the homepage. Send your application form by October 2nd. VentureConnect Cluj is organized on 12th of October. Attendance is free of charge.
Close to Timisoara? Select VentureConnect Timisoara button on the homepage. Send your application form by October 7th. VentureConnect Timisoara is organized on 19th of October. Attendance is free of charge.
Interested in coming to Bucharest directly? Select VentureConnect Bucharest button on the homepage. Send your application form by November 15th.
Testimonials
Călin Ştefanescu, CEO TJobs, advises Romanian entrepreneurs: The first event held in June 2010 was an excellent initiative, with well selected entrepreneurs offering a balanced choice of local and international potential.
Stefan Cordier, from Lime&Tonic believes: "I was thoroughly impressed with the organization of the event, the caliber of investors present, and the great ventures presented by the entrepreneurs. We had lots of follow-up meetings with investors & left with very positive feelings that we will close additional investment. Well worth the trip.
Eligibility Rules
This autumn, VentureConnect announces two local meetings: in Cluj-Napoca on 12th of October and in Timisoara on 19th of October. The two VentureConnect local editions are a selection for the final competition in Bucharest, on 23rd November.
- Venture Connect is an initiative of: Biris Goran