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.
Who should apply?
Entrepreneurs with ongoing businesses and outstanding projects in the IT/Internet/Technology areas who are in search of more than EUR 250,000 for expansion capital.
In the news
VentureConnect will be accepting between 9 May 2011 and 3 June 2011 submissions of existing projects from entrepreneurs interested in obtaining a minimum of EUR 250,000 for growth and expansion purposes. The projects template may be downloaded by accessing the Apply Now! button on the website and sent to [email protected]. The selected entrepreneurs who will pitch their projects will be chosen and announced by 15 June 2011.
Testimonials
Călin Ştefanescu, 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.
The first event held in June 2010 was an excellent event, with well selected entrepreneurs offering a balanced choice of local and international potential. A good number of the pitching entrepreneurs and their projects were very impressive, stated interested investor Andreas Cser, of Fraser Finance.
The experience was invaluable for various reasons. We were able to directly interact with potential investors and we also received excellent practical feedback regarding how to improve our pitch presentations as well as know-how about the entire investment process and what potential investors are looking for in projects, mentioned entrepreneur Andrei Savu, from Indekspot.ro.
Press Release
Bucharest, 9 May 2011 – VentureConnect will hold its third edition on 20 June 2011 at Hotel Intercontinental in Bucharest. Confirmed participants include Kenneth P. Morse (serial entrepreneur) and William K. Aulet (senior lecturer) from the U.S., as well as 3TS Capital Partners.
- Venture Connect is an initiative of: Biris Goran