Vestbee, online platform that connects global business angels, VC funds and corporates with startups and scaleups from Central & Eastern Europe together with CEE Business Angels Network have just launched the first online regional competition, CEE Startup Challenge. Entrepreneurs can apply through Vestbee at www.ceestartupchallenge.com before May 21^st.

“Global and regional startup ecosystems have been exploding. It’s impossible to catch up with all events and contests so we have decided to take the Challenge to the e-level. This way everybody saves time and money and gets exposure to great opportunities and contacts without even leaving the office” underlines Ewa Chronowska, CEE Business Angels Network President.

“An innovative concept of the competition is a response to the growing demand for solutions that allow entrepreneurs minimizing the workload and time involved in searching for relevant investors,  presenting business idea and raising funds, at the same time allowing investors search and analyze all the interesting projects effortlessly. We address all these needs providing startups with tools to automate and manage fundraising process while offering investors and event organizers solutions for dealflow management” – adds Lukasz Balcerzak, founder of Vestbee.

Rapidly developing startup scene in Central & Eastern Europe leads to a large supply of innovative ideas that attracts many global investors. More and more regional companies  shape their development strategy focusing on international expansion from the very beginning. And that requires relevant expertise, contacts and funding. “Having in one place a wide global network of investors and partners interested in CEE, we can support entrepreneurs in getting necessary exposure, acquiring cross-border contacts and getting funding in a very efficient way”  summarizes Ewa Chronowska.

The current edition of CEE Startup Challenge will recognize the most promising regional companies from Industry 4.0, Energy & Cleantech, Smart Cities & Home, Life Science, Fintech, Big Data & Analytics, Business & ICT and Lifestyle. Winners will get wide exposure to global investors, corporates and media partners, business development support from high-level mentors (among others from Silicon Valley) and free tickets to leading regional events. The winning team will also receive a prize package worth €50,000. The full list of benefits will be announced soon via social media and event website.