VentureConnect, project which aims at facilitating the direct contact between investors and entrepreneurs in the IT / Technology / On-line, announces the launch of the VentureConnect Foundation. The Foundation is endorsed by the founding members VentureConnect project: Ana Maria Andronic, Daniel Visoiu, Marius Ghenea, Radu Georgescu, Orlando Nicoara, Péter Barta and Dragos Roua, their role being to ensure the development and function of all activities initiated under the VentureConnect brand, also making sure that direct opportunities and benefits are available for all entrepreneurs present in the VentureConnect programs.

The launch of the VentureConnect Foundation is an extension to work already done around VentureConnect events in order to ensure continuity in the direct interaction of entrepreneurs with investors. The foundation will provide entrepreneurs with a series of programs and resources they need to launch and develop their business at an international level.

“The role of the VentureConnect Foundation is to facilitate education and growth projects for the Romanian and Eastern-European business environment. We want the VentureConnect Foundation to maintain the permanent connections generated by the VentureConnect events to date; so that appropriate amounts of funding can be accessed far more easily and entrepreneurs can become more familiar with the requirements and expectations of potential investors. And in order to fulfill this role, in the near future we will launch a series of monthly activities (Venture Mentoring) in order to answer entrepreneurs’ inquiries on how to start a business and raise its potential, and a dedicated digital project aiming at forming a cohesive community of business angels, “said Ana Maria Andronic, Senior Associate Biris Goran and founding member of the VentureConnect Foundation.

“Establishing the Foundation is a natural step for the VentureConnect project, as the initiative is close to reaching maturity and required national and international recognition. With an intense activity in the last two years, VentureConnect is recognized for successfully facilitating investment opportunities. For the next few months, the Foundation will launch a series of initiatives to be announced shortly, all dedicated at reaching the set goals for VentureConnect Foundation “, states Peter Barta, Executive Director at Post-Privatisation Foundation.

The next VentureConnect event is scheduled for May 2012.

On 25th of February, all you have to bring with you is your inspiration. If you believe you have a cool business idea or if you consider yourself to be on your way to becoming a dedicated entrepreneur, then maybe this is your opportunity to show it off. Microsoft Romania is organizing an open discussion on cloud business solutions which the market shows interest in.

What’s it all about:

• a full day dedicated to brainstorming on applications which can be developed in Microsoft Azure and are to be found useful for the overall market needs
• the best ideas will be endorsed and financed, also receiving a smart phone
• the teams which are committed to transform the selected ideas into solutions  ready to be sold and monetized, will receive a grant of 7,500 lei

If you wish to participate in this business and programming opportunity, please confirm your participation at the following address: v-silica@microsoft.com, together with:

• Name
• Email
• Phone number
• the startup / company which you are representing and if you have a business idea for the Cloud Factory or if you are willing to associate with others for the implementation process

For more details, check Zoli’s post. Good luck and see you on 25th February!

An initiative extremely appreciated by investors, entrepreneurs and businessmen as well, organizing such a colorful and busy weekend in Cluj is a wonderful initiative.Startup Weekend is an intense event of 54 hours, from Friday evening to Sunday evening. The purpose of is to develop web and mobile applications, by established teams from programmers, designers and businessmen on the ideas brought forth by participants. Such applications could lay the foundation for a successful business. The event brings togetherparticipants from different fields – programmers, designers, entrepreneurs – whom in complete partnership build business applications developed over the weekend.

No talk, all action!

And not only are the entrepreneurs powerful, but so are the mentors: Sergiu Biris (General Manager Trilulilu), Calin Fusu (Online entrepreneur si CEO Neogen.ro & BestJobs.ro), Calin Grigore (Entrepreneur and IT Recruiter) or Robert Muresan (Game designer and owner of exosyphen studios).

Are you ready for 54 hours of coding and business? More details can be found here: http://cluj.startupweekend.org/.

Our friends at GRASP – http://www.mygrasp.org/ – have started an interesting project which we consider to be extremely valuable: StartUp your Idea.

If you just have a small clue of what your business should be structured and which your target audience should be, then the bootcamp organized by MyGrasp is the key. With mentors such Peter Barta, dedicated to bringing some business structure for your startup,we are sure the success of the camp is guaranteed.

For additional info and to embark on the project, click here. Good luck!

And that is how the story begins. For some time now, people have been asking me what is that announcement that pops up on my Twitter and Facebook account, selecting the most tweeted and shared news and sending it out to the world. Well, it’s Summify! And yes, behind Summify is a team of talented Romanian entrepreneurs – Mircea Pasoi being one of them.

Here is the blog post announcing the news — CONGRATULATION GUYS – you’ve done brilliant!