What is VentureConnect and who does it address?

VentureConnect is a dedicated pitching session, addressing projects in the IT, Technology, Online and E-Commerce areas. The VentureConnect concept was born from the desire to raise the standards and increase the potential of the Romanian entrepreneurial sector and also to facilitate investor’s direct contact with successful business ventures. Entrepreneurs with ongoing businesses in search of more than 250.000 EURO for expansion capital and early stages startups with potential for a 50.000 EURO seed investment are welcomed to submit their projects. VentureConnect wishes not only to facilitate a possible investment, but also to assure a sustainable growth and development of the projects submitted in the pitch through a series of training sessions and constant feedback. The next VentureConnect edition will be held on November 23rd, in Bucharest.

The first edition was organized in 2010 with the support from Dan Visoiu (Partener Biris Goran), Ana Maria Andronic (Senior Associate Biris Goran), Marius Ghenea (Business Angel), Radu Georgescu (Chairman GECAD Group), Peter Barta (Executive Director Foundation Post-Privatization) and Dragos Roua (On-line Entrepreneur). In 2011, we have organized local sessions in Cluj and Timisoara, aiming to find the most successful projects in the area looking for a possible investment and valuable business feedback from the VentureConnect board and special guests – Doug Richard, Founder School for Startups Britain.

How can I submit my project?

The submission process is straightforward: the entrepreneurs interested in participating in the pitching session must complete the application form for the final edition in Bucharest, on 23rd of November. The application form can be found here and the deadline for sending in the projects is 11th November. For additional questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Which are the criteria for startup selection?

The VentureConnect Board will take into consideration the following aspects:

  • Market,
  • Positioning,
  • Competitiveness
  • Return on Investment.

Each startup will be evaluated on the information supplied in the application form and also on other additional information upon request. Based on the provided information and criteria for selection, each startup will benefit from a personalized answer and business feedback.

What does a VentureConnect pitching session presuppose?

The VentureConnect pitching session is an opportunity for startups to quickly present their business to a panel of VCs in order to receive feedback, guidance and a possible investment. This will be a rapid-fire event that will showcase novel business ideas from startups across multiple sectors.

The format will be as follows:

  • Each entrepreneur will have a presentation of maximum 6 minutes.
  • The VentureConnect Board and guests will provide a 7 minutes feedback and questions round, where the entrepreneur must argue his business plan and present a valid argumentation for the necessary funding and further development of the business.

What do I pitch for?

VentureConnect works at bringing together investors and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs with ongoing businesses in search of more than 250.000 EURO for expansion capital and early stages startups with potential for a 50.000 EURO seed investment are welcomed to submit their projects.

This autumn, GECAD Group and VentureConnect have made the first step into assuring investment success for the most promising startups present inside the competition –with a 50.000 EUR seed investment for projects from software, web technologies and ecommerce.

What does a seed investment presuppose?

The investor seeks to invest in a company that shows signs of constant development and can provide the same results with or without an investment, the investor’s contribution consisting in sustainable founds, networking, and valuable advice. Execution should remain to the contractor – in this case the entrepreneur.  What the company that was invested in has to demonstrate is that it can execute the plan of action.

In case of a possible investment, what happens after VentureConnect?

VentureConnect’s role is to mediate the interaction entrepreneur-investor and also to create the noteworthy networking opportunities. The decision process belongs to the two involved parties.

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  • 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!

  • 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