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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((TITLE: US Eastern Europe IT – Maslov
HEAD: Eastern European Startups Come to US Searching for Opportunities
TEASER:
DATE: 12/xx/2023
PUBLISHED AT: 12/xx/2023
BYLINE: Evgeny Maslov
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: New York
VIDEOGRAPHER: Michael Eckels
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Page
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 2:19
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:
EDS NOTES:
Please return to Anna Rice and copy to HFR when done.))
((INTRO))
[[Immigrants from Belarus, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries are actively exploring the American IT startup market. One immigrant-run venture capital firm is helping them find investments. Evgeny Maslov has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
Founder and managing partner of a venture capital firm Geek Ventures — Belarus-native Ihar Mahaniok has been an investor for many years. His firm pays especially close attention to immigrants from Eastern Europe, including Belarus and Ukraine.
((Ihar Mahaniok, Geek Ventures Founder)) ((RUS))
“We focus on immigrants – those that just recently immigrated to the U.S. as well as those who came here some 10-15 years ago.”
((NARRATION))
Among the startups Geek Ventures works
((Mandatory courtesy: Qibus
with are companies from China, India and Israel.
((End courtesy))
((Mandatory courtesy: Competera))
A few of the people from his team are from Ukraine
((End courtesy))
as is one of the companies they are currently working with.
((Ihar Mahaniok, Geek Ventures Founder)) ((RUS))
“One of the most impressive companies we’ve seen is called New Homes Mate. Its founders are from Lviv,
((Mandatory courtesy: New Homes Mate))
Ukraine. Right now, the founders are in Austin, Texas. This company is
((End courtesy))
working on solutions to let people buy homes directly from developers.”
((NARRATION))
Another successful example is a company called Filmustage [[Pron: Film You Stage]] that is located on the West Coast. It specializes
((Mandatory courtesy: Filmustage))
in providing web services for cinematographers, producers and movie professionals
((End courtesy))
who work in both small and large TV studios. The company’s CEO Egor Dubrovsky says
((Mandatory courtesy: Filmustage))
Geek Ventures provides them with more than just investment money.
((Egor Dubrovsky, Filmustage)) ((RUS)) ((Mandatory Courtesy ZOOM))
“Investments are behind every startup. But on top of investing money Geek Ventures also provides
((End courtesy))
help with networking – they have a large database of people that can help in all sorts of areas!”
((NARRATION))
Geek Ventures say their mission is creating a sort of bridge between talents in Eastern Europe and other countries, including the U.S. that can offer lots of valuable opportunities and appreciate new ideas.
((Ihar Mahaniok, Geek Ventures Founder)) ((RUS))
“There’s talent everywhere, but not every country has the same opportunities. Most financial opportunities are in the U.S. – both in terms of clients and investors.”
((NARRATION))
And while it may be difficult for a company to move away from Belarus or Ukraine — where there are fewer investors — relocating to the U.S. makes it easier to find potential investors.
((For Evgeny Maslov in New York, Anna Rice, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 13, 2023 10:26 EST
BylineEvgeny Maslov
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
