startupi

I interviewed Guilherme Cohn, financial analyst for FIEEI Horizon TI, a startup fund begun in December by Confrapar. It specifically targets startups in the state of Minas Gerais.

The big question (especially given the attention investors were giving startups at Campus Party) remains: so when are other experienced and successful people going to open startup funds in other states? Besides the four angel associations that we already have, that is.

Below, my questions for Guilherme Cohn:

1) How many businesses or projects or entrepreneurs have applied for the fund?

Around 200 have applied already.

2) What type of projects or entrepreneurs are they?

The majority of the entrepreneurs are young, with a broad and recent knowledge of technology, but with needing capacity in management, sales and corporate governance.

3) Did they come through partner networks?

Not necessarily. We’ve done campaigns at various events, sent the press release to many entrepreneurs and institutions. The network of shareholders from Confrapar also brought in many good projects.

4) Are they all up and running businesses?

Some are. Others are still in the idea or project stage.

5) Were most created for the opportunity the fund offers?

This may happen in the future, but it hasn’t been the case so far.

6) How do you feel about the market in Minas at the year end, and in the new year?

Many new projects have come in. The program Prime120 from FINEP was a big help in that regard.

7) Are the people from HorizonTI and Confrapar participating in Campus Party?

For sure. Confrapar will be there. Campus Party in 2009 brought a lot of opportunities, and we expect 2010 will be even better.

Below is a video summarizing the application and selection process at Confrapar. More information can be found at Confrapar’s site, blog and on Twitter.