VentureConnect expands nationwide

VentureConnect, the first Romanian initiative that advocates the technology industry and mediates the close interaction of young entrepreneurs in the IT area, online and technology with important national and international investment funds, announces for this autumn two local editions: Cluj on the 12th of October and Timisoara on the 19th of October. The edition in Bucharest is scheduled for November 23 at Hotel Intercontinental.

Doug Richard has confirmed his attendance in all the three VentureConnect meetings. Doug is a successful entrepreneur and important investor, with an extensive experience in developing international business incubators.

“I am glad to be supporting VentureConnect as it offers practical solutions for young businesses that need help with the mechanics of starting a thriving business. All new enterprises struggle with a lack of resources and too much bad business advice.  VentureConnect provides new options, sustenabile opportunities, new mentors with real experience in how to start a business.” mentioned Doug Richard, founder of seven companies and mentor in the program School for Startups Romania.

With the two meetings organized in Cluj and Timisoara, followed by the already traditional edition in Bucharest, VentureConnect comes to respond to the needs of the Romanian entrepreneurial community, being not only a vast networking resource, but also an active mentoring session for Romanian entrepreneurs with regards to their direct engagement with potential investors.

“This autumn, the VentureConnect project significantly increases both with setting up the two local meetings, and with the online community that will be developed in the near future, community which is designed to bring together entrepreneurs in South-east Europe, on the one hand, with significant potential investors in West and central Europe and the United States, on the other side. By managing to bring to Bucharest important investors, demonstrates that VentureConnect has been able to generate a viable connection between East-European entrepreneurs and important investors interested in the online, IT and technology fields in the world. “declared Dan Visoiu, Partner Biris Goran and co-founder VentureConnect.

For the third edition of VentureConnect on 20th June 2011, of the 38 projects submitted, 14 were selected in pitching sessions, 3 of the present startups coming from abroad: Lime & Tonic (Czech Republic), Stockpodium (Bulgaria) and Evosoft Media (Belgium). Investors from United States, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and of course Romania have attended the June event.

For this autumn, VentureConnect supporters are: Microsoft BizSpark (a global program that helps software startups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players, including investors, and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs starting a business), School for Startups Romania (UK leading provider of training in business, offering real lessons of business and practical methods for business success), OKIAN (one of the most important online libraries in Romania) , ARIES Timisoara (professional association in the IT & C that has over 280 individual members nationwide , 4 branches in Timisoara, Cluj, Brasov and Craiova, 53 electronics and software companies and four universities technical profile) and A.R.M.O (The Romanian Association of Online Shops).

More details about submission of proposals for the local editions as well as for the final session in Bucharest can be found on the event’s website: http://www.ventureconnect.ro.

For organizational information please contact:

Alexandra DUMITRU

Project Director VentureConnect

Email: Alexandra.dumitru@ventureconnect.ro

Mobile:  +40 729 00 39 56 / +4 0751 014 714

***

VentureConnect was launched in 2010 by Ana Maria Andronic (senior lawyer at Biris Goran) and Daniel Visoiu (Biris Goran Partner) with a group of well known IT/on-line entrepreneurs such as Marius Ghenea (entrepreneur and business angel), Radu Georgescu (President Gecad Group), Orlando Nicoara (CEO Mediafax Group of on-line entrepreneur), Péter Barta (Executive Director of the Foundation Post-Privatization) and Dragos Roua (on-line 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.

    Attendance

  • 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.

    Apply now!

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Venture Connect is an initiative of: Biris Goran