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News archive - [Event Announcement] ICT Finance MarketPlace Venture Academy and Investment Forum for SMEs

ICT Finance MarketPlace is an initiative to improve access to finance for innovative ICT Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The events are run in conjunction with the Future Internet Week at the same venue. SMEs, coaches and investors are invited to attend. The Venture Academy consists of a one-day, coaching event where experienced coaches from relevant industry areas will help SMEs pragmatically to develop their pitching skills towards potential investors. The Investment Forum offers SMEs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of venture capital and corporate investors, strategic partners and expert advisors. 

The European Commission has identified access to investment and other finance as a particular area of difficulty for SMEs and has launched a series of initiatives to help. ICT Finance MarketPlace is an EU-funded initiative delivered by three projects under the 7th Framework Programme with the objective of improving access to finance for SMEs engaged in ICT innovation.

Two main activities are planned for the October ICT Finance MarketPlace .
  1. Day 1:  27th October 2011, Venture Academy
  2. Day 2:  28th October 2011, Investment Forum
The ICT Finance MarketPlace Venture Academy will be held on the afternoon of 27th October 2011 beginning at 1400hrs and ending at about 1800hrs.  The Investment Forum will be held on the morning of 28th October beginning at 0900hrs and ending at about 1330hrs.
 
 
Designed specifically for SMEs operating in the ICT sector, the Venture Academy consists of a one-day, coaching event where experienced coaches from relevant industry areas will help them pragmatically to develop their pitching skills towards potential investors.  It is a vital preparatory step for SMEs invited to attend the Investment Forum on 28th October where they will meet with and pitch to a selected group of ICT investors.
 
The Venture Academy is highly beneficial for entrepreneurs seeking to access international markets.  Participants will be provided with information, tools and resources which will help them find investment partners and grow their business.
 
The focus is on how to approach meeting with strategic partners and on the expectations of potential investors from such meetings. Participants will receive guidance on how their presentations and business proposals compare with those of other participants, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses and advising on how these should be addressed to maximise the impact of their pitch.
 
Experienced coaches from different backgrounds will enhance the value of the feedback provided: 

Independent Coaches able to provide personal advisory services and who are themselves:

    • Former Venture Capital managers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Former business advisors
 Advisory Coaches from established advisory practices who are:
    • Consultants from larger or specialised consulting/ accounting firms
    • Head-hunters or interim managers
    • M&A advisors or investment bankers
The Investment Forum offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of venture capital and corporate investors, strategic partners and expert advisors.  The Investment Forum takes place one day after the Venture Academy and participating companies will thereby have an opportunity to capitalise on tips and suggestions gathered from their coaches, thus maximising the benefit to them.
 
These events are sponsored and supported by the EU's 7th Framework Programme and are free of charge to all participants.  However, places are limited to about 25 SMEs and these will be selected from applicants following a selection process on the basis of their readiness to receive investment from venture capital and corporate investors.  To register please  click here. ,
 
 
Location: Conference facilities of the Poznań University of Technology, 2 Piotrowo Street, Poznań, Poland
 
Contact: John Molony, TESEO Sprl., molony@teseo.be


Date:
From: 27 October 2011
To: 28 October 2011

Geographical focus
  • International; Other
Related organisations

Entry created by Ines Marinkovic on October 19, 2011
Modified on September 14, 2011