East-West Digital News 16 October 2012
Startup-Afisha, an online resource for Russian startups that has thus far focused on the domestic market, yesterday announced a decisive shift to address a global audience. Slated for launch next month, its startup database RusBase will “provide Russian IT startups with access to leading Western funds” and “link Russian funds to international partners for co-investment.”
RusBase, by Q1 2013, aims to sign up 200 projects – the critical mass it needs to attract international investors.
The English-language platform will also develop editorial content, from news and interviews to monthly reports on venture activity, with the participation of “popular Western journalists” and “a well-known foreign publishing house,” Startup-Afisha founder and business angel Alena Popova said in an exchange with East-West Digital News.
The company has announced an investment of $3 million over 18 months from Black Ocean, a New-York headquartered holding that builds, operates and invests in technology businesses around the world, focusing on video, social-media, mobile and e-commerce. The funds will be disbursed in several tranches, with other West European funds and family offices potentially participating at later stages.
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