Online venture firm Garage.com Friday
opened its first European office in London, making it the company’s second
foray into international expansion since starting a branch in Israel last
October.
The office will connect entrepreneurs across Europe with U.S. high tech
investors, strategic partners, clients and managers. In conjunction with its
broker/dealer affiliate, Garage.com matches high tech startups with
investors and helps entrepreneurs build their businesses into successful
companies.
Garage.com’s London office is located in the heart of Covent Garden, an area
popular with European entrepreneurs, technology companies, and financial
institutions.
In addition to the establishment of its first European office, Garage.com
will offer educational events and startup services to further
meet the needs of the European entrepreneurial community. The firm will
bring its popular Bootcamp for Startups conference to Europe in June 2000.
Bootcamp for Startups provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn about
raising capital, building a buzz, hiring top
talent, and launching their product from the high tech industry’s top
investors, experts, and entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneur Katia Verresen will head business development for Garage.com’s
European office located in London. Verresen
previously founded UpStart Ventures, a French firm that assists European
entrepreneurs with international expansion strategy and
capital needs. Prior to UpStart Ventures, Verresen worked with Venture
Capital Report in France.
“The marriage of startups and venture capital is a global activity,” said
Guy Kawasaki, CEO of Garage.com. “Garage.com’s mission
is to democratize the venture capital process for the global startup
community. We provide promising startups access to the U.S.
venture finance community and the strategic guidance that they need to build
a successful high-growth business.”
Since January 1999, Garage.com has helped 40 technology startup companies
raise more than $100 million in venture capital through its broker/dealer
subsidiary Garage.com Securities.