Without a supportive environment to nurture young startups, having a great business idea may seem more like a burden rather than a blessing. Luckily, for the technology innovators of Southeastern Europe (SEE), opportunity is lurking behind the corner as the next VentureConnect pitching event is coming up on 28 May.
Over 30 prominent investors will be present this year at the Grand Cinema Digiplex in Bucharest for the seventh edition of VentureConnect’s event, perhaps the most notable Romanian initiative to bring together national and international VCs and IT startups. Between 10 and 14 entrepreneurial teams will get a chance to pitch their startup idea to the panel of judges.
“The Romanian entrepreneurial ecosystem is in continuous development and maturity, and talented, dedicated people can create an international impact with their business ideas and well-thought projects,” said Alexandra Dumitru, Project Manager at VentureConnect. To support these innovators, “we offer startups a lucrative environment where entrepreneurs can meet possible investors, interact with experienced business mentors, and raise capital and the necessary feedback to push their business further.”
Eager to take your IT startup to the next level?
VentureConnect started out in 2010 with the vision of presenting young tech entrepreneurs to the world. Since then, it has evolved to a meeting point for entrepreneurs and potential investors from all over CEE. After starting out with startup-investor matchmaking events, the initiative was turned into an integrative support and mentoring platform last year. The online community AngelConnect brings together business angels for identifying new financing opportunities, while the bimonthly Venture Mentoring meetings support the business education of young entrepreneurs. Success stories like tjobs.ro or BITTNET Systems seem to bear testimony to the financing opportunities provided by VentureConnect.
What’s in store?
For its seventh edition, VentureConnect has fine-tuned the event to the needs of startups in different phases by including two pitching sessions: one for early-stage companies in search of seed investments, followed by presentations from more mature startups in need of a substantial capital infusion.
But the support doesn’t end there. Prior to the pitching session, participating entrepreneurs will take part in a two-day training conducted by Viorel Apetrei (MTW Romania) that will prepare them to deliver effective and memorable pitches. The format of the actual event foresees six minutes for the presentations and another six minutes for a live Q&A with the audience.
Apply now!
Do you have an innovative startup in the technology, IT or online area? Do you think big and believe there’s room for international expansion? Then submit your application here by 15 May.
