User:VentureConnect/sandbox

Background
VentureConnect (www.ventureconnect.ro) is a Romanian program aimed at facilitating investor’s direct contact with local IT / technology/ online entrepreneurs. Since its launch in 2010, VentureConnect became one of the most important pitching and networking events in Romania and South-Eastern Europe, rapidly becoming an active centre for investors interested in the field of technology. VentureConnect is a dedicated pitching session where approximately 12 – 15 entrepreneurs with promising entrepreneurial projects present their business plan, their expectations and how they are going to invest the potential received seed capital into their business in front of over 30 – 40 Romanian and South-Eastern investors. Entrepreneurs searching for an investment of 50.000 EUR or a venture capital investment bigger than 250.000 EUR are welcomed to submit their projects, only the best business plans are accepted within the event.

History
VentureConnect was launched in 2010 by Ana Maria Andronic (senior lawyer at Biriș Goran) and Daniel Vişoiu (partner at Biriș Goran), together with a group of well-known IT/on-line entrepreneurs such as Marius Ghenea (entrepreneur and business-angel), Radu Georgescu (Gecad Group President), Orlando Nicoară (General Director Mediafax Group and on-line entrepreneur), Péter Barta (Executive Director at Post-Privatization Foundation) and Dragoş Rouă (on-line entrepreneur). For more information, please visit www.ventureconnect.ro.

In 2011, apart from the two meetings held in Bucharest, VentureConnect also organized local editions in two major technology and entrepreneurial centers from Romania: Cluj and Timişoara. These two meetings were intended to educate the local entrepreneurial environment as well as giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect directly with VentureConnect board members and also with some important international business leaders such as Doug Richard (entrepreneur, business-angel and School for Startups founder) In 2012 was launched VentureConnect Foundation, organization working as an extension of VentureConnect events, that will begin developing a series of projects aimed at helping entrepreneurial businesses.

VentureConnect events held so far
First edition of VentureConnect took place on 8th of June 2010 in Bucharest, being followed by the next on 8th of December 2010, where eleven entrepreneurs and over thirty Romanian and foreign investors participated. Next year, VentureConnect organized two events in Bucharest (20th July and 23rd November) and two other local events: in Cluj (12 October 2011) and Timişoara (19th October 2011). In 2012 the VentureConnect event is scheduled for 31st of May.

Achieved investments
Two successful investments in Romanian businesses were accomplished due to VentureConnect events:
 * TJOBS.ro – online recruiting platform which handles over 90% of work offers from abroad, obtained a 500.000 EUR investment


 * BITTNET Systems – Romanian Network Training market leader received an important capital investment from Răzvan Căpăţână, a Romanian business-angel and entrepreneur, with an over 10 years experience in Marketing and Advertising.

VentureConnect Foundation
VentureConnect Foundation was launched in February 2012, being an organization which will sustain the development and growth of Romanian business environment through a series of projects such as:
 * Venture Mentoring – monthly mentoring sessions held by a VentureConnect mentor who will give direct solutions to the problems raised by entrepreneurs. This way, VentureConnect aims at sustaining the Romanian business community and provide useful support to Romanian entrepreneurs.
 * AngelInvestors.ro – digital community for Romanian and South-Eastern investors that will be launched in April 2012.