Media

The fifth VentureConnect edition, one of the most important Romanian programs dedicated to the entrepreneurial community was held on Thursday, May 31, at Hotel Intercontinental. Of the 37 projects submitted, 12 startups were chosen from Romania, Bulgaria and the United States in order to present their business in front of more than 40 investors from Romania and South-Eastern Europe. More than 150 participants were present for this edition of VentureConnect.

VentureConnect, entrepreneurial dedicated initiative started in early 2010, has reached its fifth edition, a meeting that proved to be the most successful to date. For the first time, the meeting had two sessions, the first consisting of the twelve pitching sessions, and the latter being a conference dedicated to Romanian business men interested in possible investments in IT, technology and Online projects, called Angel Connect. Thus, Radu Georgescu (GECAD Group Board Chairman), Andreas Cser (Fraser Director Finance), Alexis Bonte (CEO eRepublik Labs Limited), Maxim Gurvits (New Europe Corporate Advisory) and Raluca Georgescu (Allegro Group Romania Country Manager) have discussed aspects from the entrepreneurial environment in Romania and Eastern Europe, pointing out the advantages of thoughtful seed and venture investments.

“With great enthusiasm we can say that this VentureConnect meeting was the most successful to date. When the room is crowded with more than 150 participants from Romania, Poland and Bulgaria, and the presentations held by the selected entrepreneurs are dynamic and extremely well documented, we believe that the activities started by the VentureConnect Foundation have a positive impact on the entrepreneurial community “, mentions Marius Ghenea, business angel and member of the VentureConnect Board.

“For 2012, the VentureConnect Foundation has very ambitious plans and for the following period we are planning a series of activities that stem from the desire to showcase that passion and perseverance are two key ingredients that mixed together can only generate positive  results” considers Alexandra Dumitru, Project Manager VentureConnect.

Endorsers of this spring VentureConnect meeting were Allegro Group Romania, part of the international media group Naspers and Post-Privatisation Foundation.