Jaakko Piipponen, Finland born Remote Garage Founder in Texas

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Please introduce yourself. Tell us a little about where you are from originally and who you are.

My name is Jaakko Piipponen, and I’m from Finland. I studied in Helsinki School of Economics with study abroad at the University of Southern California and got a degree of B.S. in Finance. I worked briefly in investment banking in London, but now I’m building my 2nd startup Remote Garage which does storage on demand.

When and why did you move to the USA? Did you move alone?

I’ve been travelling between Finland and US since 2010, and this time I’ve been here since July last year. My fiancé (USA) goes to medical school in San Antonio, and why I ended up in Texas.

What do you enjoy most about San Antonio, now when you have more experience, how’s the quality of life compared to Finland, Los Angeles or London?

Everyone seems to be really friendly and welcoming here in Texas. In San Antonio, cost of living is probably half or less what I had in LA or London, and yet it still has plenty of things to do.

Usually there are some negatives, what are the ones for San Antonio that really stand out for you personally?

Only downside I can think of is that the city is not really walkable or have advanced public transportation system, which is something I got used to in Helsinki and London.

Do you feel San Antonio is a good place for you as an entrepreneur right now? Are there any areas expats like you might like in the USA in your opinion (entrepreneurs/startups WHY?

San Antonio has some significant advantages if you’re working in the some of the city’s strong areas such as cyber security. I strongly feel that new startup hubs should not try to outright copy Silicon Valley, but instead they should find out what are their own strengths and embrace them. Marc Andresseen discussed about this New York Times recently.
I’d also add that since the cost of living is still so low, it might attract more talented people here over time who get fed up with the high costs associated with the more typical tech hubs.

How would you rate the public transport? What are the different options? Do you need to own a car?

You must own a car to get anywhere at all. Public transportation is passable in and around the focal points of the city, such as the UT Medical Center, but it typically takes 2-3 times longer to get anywhere with a bus compared to driving around.

Which are the best places/suburbs to live in San Antonio as an expat in your limited experience?

Popular areas tend to be around Alamo Heights, Stone Oak and if you’re working on anything health-related, the Medical Center. Downtown is an up-and-coming area too, as written recently in WSJ.

Do you go out a lot – hobbies? Or is everything about work right now?

Don’t really go out at this point since building startup keeps me busy, but the downtown and the River Walk are nice places to go out when we do. There are also some great parks north of the city, such as Friedrich Park, which are great for some hiking.

What’s the cost of living compared to Los Angeles? What is cheap or expensive in particular?

Pretty much everything is cheaper, and the housing costs in particular. I think San Antonio’s competitiveness in that area will be emphasized even further when they complete building of the Google Fiber here.

What are the locals in San Antonio like; or do you feel you mix mainly with other expats?

I have met none of the expats yet but only locals who are very friendly.

Did you think it is easy meeting people/other startups and making friends in San Antonio?

I just Googled “tech startups San Antonio” when I got here, and found the #1 place for startups here called Geekdom. Once you get the really cheap membership for the co-working space, you’re able to meet pretty much anyone working with startups in the area.

What’s the economic climate like in San Antonio, how would you compare it to the LA/Finland? Why? How does the work culture differ from Finland?

The city is growing really fast, and you can see construction everywhere (though luckily not too much on highways anymore, since they seem to be in pretty good condition).
People seem to work longer hours compared to Finland, and it seems there are less holidays here. Then again, with startups it seems to be pretty similar, since everyone has to work with all they have got or they face the risk of going under.
Compared to Los Angeles, the culture seems fairly similar or perhaps a little more relaxed.

Did you have any misconceptions about Texas that have turned out to be super wrong….or vice versa, you thought something will be great and it is exactly the other way around?

Since my fiancé is from here, I kind of knew what to expect. I find it interesting how people here are more proud of their state compared to Californians. Perhaps I still hoped to see a few more ranches and cows, but they tend to be farther away from the city.

Do you think your career (business) would be the same in Finland/LA – or does this work better for you? Either way, please explain more.

There’s a reason this is called the “land of opportunities”, so I’m confident it’s the right country to be in. People are used to seeing new entrepreneurs popping up and trying new things, and the welcome has been just phenomenal.
I don’t know how this is in Finland, but the market opportunity there is so much smaller I could not possibly start there. I really admire those who choose to stay there and can pull off something big, but at the same time it’s likely that some of the people choose to stay there and miss opportunities.

What are your favorite restaurants/bars in San Antonio – why ?

Rudy’s for BBQ, Taqueria Datapoint for Mexican, Thai Bistro for Thai. I generally just Yelp things and try to go and explore new places.

Is there any advice you would like to offer new expat arrivals or contemplating a move to San Antonio – especially for a startup??

Consider carefully whether here’s something that can give you an edge. If it’s something related to cyber security, telecom or cloud, this is probably a very good place to start. At the same time, SA is not a “startup hub” quite yet, and for some industries it might make more sense to start from San Francisco, NYC, or LA. San Antonio is also close to Austin, which is emerging as the hotbed for new startups in TX.

If there are other startups that you would like to connect within the European community – who would they be?

I’m sure there are, but on the top of my head I cannot really say if they’re in the “European community” or not. In general, I’d love to meet people in the delivery, storage, and real estate spaces.

Connect with Jaakko Piipponen:
www.RemoteGarage.com
twitter.com/remotegarage
www.facebook.com/RemoteGarage
Phone: (210) 625-7925
Email Jaakko

Austin – David Drake, The Soho Loft & Crowdfunding with Swedish Globetrotter

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David and I have many mutual acquaintance since we both lived years in NYC (now I am in Austin, TX) – he is Swedish and I am Finnish. hasEuroCircle team already interviewed Jilliene Helman and Gary Spirerwho are both involved with the crowdfunding circles so adding a Swede to the crowdfunding mix seems appropriate.

Please introduce yourself; tell us a little about where you are from originally and who you are.

My name is David Drake. I was born and raised in Sweden. My grandparents are from Denmark so I spent all the summers in Copenhagen growing up. I was getting B grades in languages. Therefore I got annoyed as a teenager and decided excel in languages. My interests are also in sports. I was a judo champion at a very young age in Scandinavia. There must have been maybe 15 different sports that I used to do. In one time or another. Most likely my short height as a kid made me over Excel and over compensate in sports. However after college I did not return to any sports.

I was a good – and shy – kid in high school. I got good grades and rarely went out. For instance, I always vacuumed the house once a week just to say thank you to my parents.

Given your background what and why did you end up studying – how did you choose your university and why the USA?

I was accepted to Brown University on full scholarships but since it didn’t have business studies I decided to change to American University in DC (these were full scholarships). I had an early on fascination with business and international finance. My MBA was done in DC as well as George Washington University which was a Dual Masters program allowing me to get an MBA in International Finance & a Masters in international affairs and law.

I have also realized that Wall Street was the center of finance and thus I want to study in the US.

So what do you do now – what takes most of your time professionally?

My family office has investments in different industries and companies globally. I helped found two Angel Networks (Puerto Rico and FP Angels) and I’m on two angel networks like Bitcoin and the Chemical Angel Network. However today most of my time is spent on the media company called The Soho Loft. It focuses on social impact investing and we host 200+ finance focus conferences every year. See Www.thesoholoft.com/upcoming-conferences/s where you can meet and pitch investors on the spot.

I am also spending more time with a public relations and Investor Relations firm VictoriaGlobal.co as the chairman of the board. This is where we are looking for partners in Europe and MENA and I would ask readers to reach out to me at david@LDJCapital.com

In addition Victoria Partners is a 110 family office network with headquarters out of Knightsbridge, London that we own.

These things take up about 75 percent of my time while the latter allows me to travel as I have to visit the family office relationships we have globally. I have been in a different city every week for the last 3 years and now it is difficult for me to stop traveling because I like it.

Do you intend to stay in the USA for now and where is your favorite city in the USA?? Also, o you speak many languages in addition to English and Swedish which are related to each other?

Yes, I am staying in the US. We recently got engaged with the state government of Hawaii and Hawaii venture capitalist association. We are engaged with the International Fashion Show and International Film Festival in Hawaii with them so I will be spending more time there. It also makes sense for me to bring Asian investors of ours to meet tech and realty opportunities in Hawaii – we called this where the West meets the East. We are working with the Hawaii Venture Capital Association to launch their biggest event of the year this fall.

Meanwhile I have a place in Los Angeles with offices in New York. Most of my time is spent between Maui, New York, Los Angeles and Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy. The latter is my favorite place of all time.

My grandparents are Danish meanwhile Danish, Swedish and Norwegian are very similar languages. Yet again, I do come across a lot of Danish and Norwegians claiming that a lot of Swedes do not speak their language. Meanwhile in school I studied Spanish French and English. Yet my passion is Italian although I don’t speak it well at all.

So how is your personal life at this point? You travel a lot – how does that work for family? Where are you living right now and why?

I’m divorced the last two years so travel is something I actually enjoy now. As opposed to most people traveling, I can travel on my own accord and spend at least 1 week per trip. For instance, I am speaking at the European Business Angel Network in Dublin and they are flying me in. Ireland is close to my heart as I took my mom there 6 months ago and it is beautiful. This time I’m flying my father from Stockholm to go castle hunting after I speak in Dublin. The green hills of Ireland are just amazing. Yet my favorite places to work and visit are:

Bellagio, Lake Como
Maui
Bali
Maldives
Waiheke Island outside Auckland.

What do you like most about the job you do now the most – and what the least? What is a typical day for you right now?

I wake up between 3 to 5 am I do not sleep much. Life is too exciting. Emails and contract negotiation takes about 6 hours a day and another 4 hours of phone calls.

I write regularly for magazine like Forbes and WSJ so I spend a couple hours day writing. Over 100 publications get original articles from me. Www.TimesRealtyNews.com Is the latest investment we made on an online publication focused on real estate and crowd funding.

Last week we published a top 10 realty platform report. Dealing with repetitive tasks bores me but fortunately for me I have been able to build infrastructure in corporations to handle that.

How do you see your life evolve professionally and personally if it is up to you?

Fortunately it is up to me and I love to learn. I spent the last 30 years listening to people sharing their knowledge and I feel now that I’m in my 40′s and I can collect my own stories. My entrepreneuship bug started when I was 9 years old. I was selling cacti door to door that my mom collected for a school trip.

Today I collect people and stories. The knack becomes how to connect people and I feel that I’m a superconnector just like you are. The 100s of people working in my main investments provide me the infrastructure to run a conglomerate media company and the hundreds of events and articles I write allows me to meet and learn from thousands. That is so exciting. I get to interview anyone and learn from the best.

How would you describe your business model to someone who knows nothing about your life ?

I am a family office yet my passion investment The Soho Loft is a global finance media conglomerate focused on impact investors…. the work surrounds sharing and educating the world on how and what is being done in this arena.

What are the biggest risk factors for you professionally?

My reputation and lack of follow up are risk factors. Also having great partners is important so I encourage readers to reach out to me from this article.

How is your family in Sweden – what do your parents and siblings do?

My parents are retired in stockholm and they enjoy traveling with me.

What kind of European companies or entrepreneurs would you like to hook up with?

Currently we are acquiring and also hiring people in public relations and marketing. Area of this time would be of interest to also meeting and talk to new online marketing companies to see what they are doing better and faster.

We have had 600 events the last 4 years in finance and consequently 30,000 people have been attending. Companies that interest me would be firms that can monetize from the lead generation of companies we have had at please your events.

Partners would know how to monetize from relationships with the participants at our events. Here are some upcoming events

Please join me at the June 7, Los Angeles, Family Office event. Learn how to raised money from family offices.
http://thesoholoft.com/conferences/victoria-global-sponsors-capital-raising-core-workshop/

Newport Beach conference June 19
Leading Resources and Real Estate: Oil, Gas, Minerals and Real Estate
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/energy-oil-gas-crowdfunding-conference-i-tickets-11112819743

I. Nov 14 had $35 billion in assets under mgmt – sold out.
II. April 24 had ADIA, Trump, Mondrian and Delano Hotels with dozens of family office fly in – sold out.

You must buy the 100+ page Mega Trend report by TimesRealtyNews.com report when you are serious about real estate crowd funding. It will save you 150 hours of due diligence and research. The only report of its kind.

June 26 Yale Club in NYC Series B and C private equity investors event

http://thesoholoft.com/conferences/tsl-supports-epic-asia-2014/

What do you consider the worst thing about the Swedes compared to the USA – and vice versa?

I have been away for the last 25 years. However what I see is that the Swedes avoid confrontation. Whether that is good or bad remains to be argued. However I do not ail from this. Meanwhile I find myself being a quiet spoken American or loud European – depending where I am and who is listening

Crowdfunding – what do you think about it in Europe vs. USA?

it is a powerful on both continents but more so in the US. I track the laws changing by country and continent. These are things I write about. In 2012 I was part of arranging the first meeting me ever had with the SEC on crowdfunding for the crowd funding association that I help found. I was invited to the Champions of Change at the White House on the topic and represented the US commerce dept to EU on small and medium size business policy to rome and Brussels.

I would love to talk to medium size companies in your Europe looking to use crowd funding as a solution and lead generation through our publications and conferences globally.

We get family offices and private equity firms reaching out to us constantly and we’re also talking to investment banks.

If you have a choice to live your life how you want, money would not be an issue what so ever – where would you like to spend your life? Where do you think you would like to be in 10 years and why?

I am living it now and it is between Bellagio, new york, los angeles and Maui right now. Family office business makes me travel all over the world in addition to these cities. In 10 years I would like to continue to doing today- learning from people smarter that me and having dozens of more partners in Europe as brand ambassadors of VictoriaGlobal.co

Crowdfunding circles are full of people who have never worked in finance, raised money for themselves or others and they portray themselves as so called “experts” and speak at multiple events. The new crowdfunding “opportunities” have brought out many predators who appear “real” on the surface. How do you think that fact may affect any future legislation?

It should help industry by showing at all more people getting involved in this space. The transparency in crowd funding is beautiful because you will be able to weed out who is real and who is not. The crowd self police and we see this in the platforms operating on both continents.
(Kaisa: I am not at all convinced about self policing efficiency in the USA having looked at some – certainly not all – of the so called “experts” and listening to some of them speak. Culturally (Finland) I have an issue with people either making up their their credentials/background, success or misleading the “crowd” – but let’s hope the crowd will “self-police” more and more.)

Connect with David Drake:
Chairman – www.LDJCapital.com
thesoholoft.com/Where-is-David
O: 212.845.9652
C: 917.578.9069
Skype: ddrakevnd

The Voice of Capital Formation
www.thesoholoft.com/WSJ/
www.thesoholoft.com/Forbes

 

Los Angeles – Sep 03 2014

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Join us for our next EuroCircle event on Wednesday September 3rd from 6:30PM at Smith Tap House starting and don t forget to RSVP.

Tanya and Ajay

PS: We would love to invite you to join EuroCircle LA team and help us to host and organize EuroCircle events in Los Angeles. You can contact us via the EuroCircle forums (private messages), at the events, FB etc… and during wednesday’s event.

 

New York – May 29 2014

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Join us for our summer kick-off & white party at this gorgeous Rooftop and Lounge.

Your hosts:
– Malena Belafonte, Denmark, www.malenabelafonte.com
Read Malena’s member of the month INTERVIEW!
Join Malena at her SCANDINAVIAN TRUNK SHOW at 15 Central park West earlier in the day on May 29 from 1pm-7pm
– Inna Race, Private Paparazzi Production will be our snapping pictures of everyone throughout the evening.
– Sherry Kumar, Serbia – Serbia. Sherry is also organizing EuroCircle Trip to INDIA in November.

Dress Code:
Wear white, head to toe  (we encourage everyone to wear white but it is not required)
If you show up in a hat or fascinator, you’ll look even more fabulous!
Let’s get a jump start on summer, and do what we do best- party in style.
We invite you to dress for the occasion, and bring your own white chapeau to our party at the Attic.

We look forward to seeing you at this fun event to kick off the summer season!

There will be drink specials and food for purchase throughout the evening.
A DJ will spin tunes all night long so put on your dancing shoes!

Alexandra and the EuroCircle New York Team

New York – Malena Belafonte, Denmark – Beauty with Brains

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Malena is a former international model, singer/songwriter, mother, co-founder of the Speyer Legacy School and founder of Malena by Malena Belafonte Cosmetics for Women.
Malena will be co-hosting our Summer Kick Off and White Party on Thursday,May 29, 2014 at the Attic in New York City (right after her trunkshow at 15 CPW).
Join Malena at her SCANDINAVIAN TRUNK SHOW at 15 Central park West earlier in the day on May 29 from 1pm-7pm (thanks DilogR for letting us use your technology)

Tell Us About Yourself.

I am born and raised in Denmark. I come from a very academic family. My parents were both professors at The Royal Danish Conservatory of Music. My dad was a conductor and composer and my mom was a soloist. I started performing with both them and in school, and traveled a lot performing all over. I became a singer and later a songwriter which seemed so natural to me. I left Denmark to become a model in Paris and though it was only to master French at a level that would let me become an Judge for International affairs, after 2 very successful years, that dream of the royal tribune of law, got replaced by my real passion which was music and entertainment.

How long have you been a member of EuroCircle?

I don’t even remember when I joined. I seem to have hosted a myriad of events and been involved for a while.

How long have you been in the US and what brought you here?

I came to NYC as a model because I knew that if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, before setting up base in LA. Somehow I am still here and it ended up being the other way around. I go to LA on trips and have been living in NYC for a long time now. NYC fits my personality which is definitely fast paced and adventurous, yet totally real and honest. The hard working mentality that you simply have to have in order to succeed here is just a part of me that I think my dad fostered.

What has been the best thing you have done so far in your career?

Well, anytime I am in a studio recording there is a happiness that I cannot describe. It is the creativity that fulfills anyone in music. But set that aside: I co-founded The Speyer Legacy School in 2009. One of the mom’s in my daughter’s preschool came to me in 2007 and asked what I thought about starting a very special school for gifted children. Being that my dad had been a co-founder of a school in Denmark and a brilliant mind, it was pretty natural for me to shake hands and say: “Let’s go!” and the journey began. The last one of the Fab 5 as I call us 5 that founded the school, sort of tied it all up in a nice bow, because she was this amazing lawyer who was able to get all of our ideas and enthusiasm put into a legal entity that now has become an educational masterpiece. We started with 2 amazing leaders whose view on education and skills as teachers were just Nirvana. We had 26 students and now we have close to 250 students, a staff of 50 in 85,000 sq feet that we beautifully renovated in time for the September 2013-2014 school year. Another thing I am incredibly proud of was when I did Dancing with the Stars in Denmark. It was one of those times that I will never forget. We were opening the school on the same time and I had to peddle back and forth between NYC and Copenhagen with a 1 year old and a 5 years old and my dance partner, so we lived on 2 hours of sleep a day. It finally became too hard to travel that much and we ended up living in my home country for 3 months. It was awesome for my kids to experience Danish life and also for me to be with my family every day. My husband David (David Belafonte is a producer, son of entertainer Harry Belafonte. David is an Emmy Award winning, Grammy nominated producer too) came every weekend and we all just made it work. Getting the silver was just the icing on the cake. Though both things happened on the same time, and so opposite in every way, it was incredibly fulfilling on every level and such a testament to the diversity that my parents taught me to always have in me.

Is there any particular story, moment, an award or an achievement throughout your career that you are particularly proud of?

Any achievement during my career pales in comparison to having children. Having my daughter, was the most amazing moment in my life. When she came out, she smiled, immediately started nursing and my heart just filled up and it was like: Ahhh, there you are, this was what I felt I was missing my whole life. It all of a sudden just made sense. When my son was born it was horribly dramatic, but I can truly say that with him, my cup runneth over. As a singer I had many moments; Performing live in front of 10,000 people and 24 million viewers was pretty amazing. It was an anniversary for “Fernseh Garten”, a German talk show, and they had pulled everybody in from everywhere to perform. Doing Dancing with The Stars in Europe was again one of the highlights. It was so incredible to be able to emotionally connect to a place inside your heart that your partner also went into, to become one in a dance and to convey that same experience to the audience and even to the viewers. Winning second place didn’t suck . Another performance that stands out in addition to working with Cool and the Gang, Jean Beauvoir and Harry Belafonte, was singing a medley for the Queen of Denmark. That was a highlight and an honor. On July 4th this year I have been asked to be the key note speaker at Rebuild in Demark, which is such a big honor. Following in the footsteps of Victor Borge and President Nixon at this place and time in my life is a little overwhelming.

You were a model before founding your company – can you share with us any highlights or a fond memory from your modeling career?

I was lucky to have started my career as a model and never had to waitress or do anything else to support myself. So that in itself is a highlight . I remember doing a show in Rio in front of 30 million viewers and 3000 who is who in the live audience. One of the models was such a diva. If you happened to be on the runway with her, you had to almost be shaped like a moon in order to keep your feet on the runway and move your body out past the side of the runway and keep your head over your feet so you would not fall of the runway. So one day after she finished her walk and felt she did so amazingly well that she needed to twirl and turn and walk backwards sort of making her last bow and greeting the people. So dramatic and so self-indulgent. She miscalculated the space to the steps that went backstage, and fell off the runway with such a force that she looked like a cat with stiff legs just upside down. It was as dramatic and loud just like everything she did, and so incredible non gracious, non fantastic and straight out clumsy. Everyone back stage were laughing, though trying their best to hide, but some were literally bend over in stitches. I though it was hysterical, but tried my best to hold it in. And now it was my turn on the cat walk. I tried my best, but I could no longer keep it in. I started laughing so hard that I got tears in my eyes, and now I could not see anything. So here you have this model in a dramatic outfit, supposed to look gloom and angry, and I was shaking of laughter, tears were exploding all over my cheeks, I was visibly shaking and totally red in my face. I desperately tried NOT to fall of the runway, and I think the Universe was like: this is your time to shine, I will guide you, and somehow I managed to get back in one piece, only to hear the roars and applause from the audience. …..they thought this was some amazingly directed piece of the show that was meant to touch the audience and make them feel all sorts of things… No, I was just cracking up because the b((*^ fell off the stage….

Can you tell us more about your new company, Malena Belafonte, Inc?

It is an umbrella company that houses my different project and companies. I have a production company, a cosmetics line and an agency. Facebook: Pink Pirate Agency gives international designers representation in the US in a way that they can relate to. Each country has their own uniqueness in terms of how they do business, their culture and even financial structure. We understand that and are able to marry it with the US ways of doing things, which is very different.
My cosmetics company started out as a line for women on the go, multi functional and developed into an easy to use mineral cosmetics collection and skin care line. We have so little time to take care of ourselves that the products we use need to be easy to use yet give a lot of results, and that is what my line does, yet super glam and with awesome colors.
My production company is busy. Last week we just unveiled the permanent Per Hillo exhibit at Reebok Sportsclub and now we have a trunk show for Scandinavian designers at the beautiful 15 Central Park West on Thursday May 29th. I have 10 of the designers and brand from my Pink Pirate Agency showcasing their collections, from raw diamonds to crocodile bags. Pretty cool stuff.

You do a lot of wonderful charitable work and fundraising. What organizations do you work with?

I sort of jumped head first into charity work by taking over Cindy Crawford’s vice president position of an organization called DISHES. This was the first charity out of the fashion industry benefiting pediatric AIDS and HIV. Once we started the Speyer Legacy School, that became my main focus, though I also joined the board of Time In for Kids, which gives art education to the most at risk schools in NYC. I am currently also on the board of The Danish American Society and The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Foundation.

What makes Denmark so special and where in Denmark are you originally from?

I am from Jyderup, which is 1 hour from Copenhagen. Denmark is a beautiful country that especially in the summer is so lush and beautiful. Danes are nice and real, generous and fun. I can say that the nightlife in Denmark is something totally unique. Partying is in the genes, but it is not generally destructive partying, it is just all out, dancing, having fun, staying up til 6 am kind of partying. And on the other hand, we invented the word HYGGE, which sort of translates into cosy, and everyone hangs out, gets together and the whole lifestyle is all about hygge.

What time of year is the best to visit Denmark and the must see places when visiting there?

Summer. May and July and August. And of course Christmas. There is nothing like Danish Christmas!

What places do you like best in NYC and why..any favorite cafes, restaurants?

I love the Upper West Side. There are so many great places. It is very cosy. It is sort of where show biz families live, because they are left alone and there is more space than downtown. Shopping on Columbus, Sunday Flea Market, Museum of Natural History, Nice Matin for lunch and of course Central Park and The Hans Christian Anderson Statue.

How can people get in touch with you?

My website: http://www.malenabelafonte.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/malenabelafonte
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PinkPirateAgency

Orange County – May 23 2014

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Let’s enjoy a Belgium dinner at the exceptional Brussels Bistro in Laguna Beach. (date changed from May 14th to 23rd)

Please RSVP with me, seats are limited: Patrick (949) 923-1110

Austin – May 18 2014

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Come root for your favorite European country!

Where: Boundless Network office, 200 E 6th Street, Suite 300
When: Saturday, May 18th at 1pm. Show starts at 2pm.

PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ONLINE BEFORE THE EVENT (link on the right side of the page)
Cost: $10 including drinks and lighter snacks.

Hosted by SACC TX, SWEA and EuroCircle (and Boundless Network of course!)

What is Eurovision?

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries’ songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. The Contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. It is also one of the most-watched non-sporting events in the world, with audience figures having been quoted in recent years as anything between 100 million and 600 million internationally.

For questions please contact Rasmus at rwendt@boundlessnetwork.comne

See http://www.eurovision.tv/ for more info

Comment: Malmö, Sweden – ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have composed We Write the Story, with arrangement by Avicii, for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The anthem is the main theme of the Swedish hosting as well as the music for the grand opening act of the Final

Philadelphia – May 10 2014

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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Eurovison event has been canceled. If you purchased a ticket, you will receive a refund via Ticketleap promptly.

If you grew up in Europe, there’s no need to explain. For 58 years, the Eurovision Song Contest (tip: Abba won 1974) has been Europe’s most anticipated broadcast ofthe year. After more than five decades featuring some 1,100 songs, the annual contest is eagerly awaited by all Europeans.

TICKETS $5 for members, $10 non-members

EuroCircle will be broadcasting the Eurovision Contest 2014 from Copenhagen at Tir Na Nog. We have reserved a section of the bar, arranged for drink specials and light hors d’oeuvres. $5 Eurotinis.

To register, please RSVP via this website (Facebook doesn’t count).
Please get your tickets in advance, as you must be on the guest list to join us.

Sherry and your co-hostess Monika Borkowska, Poland

Austin – May 10 2014

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FEATURING DRINKS SPECIALS AND LIVE STREAMING OF THE EUROVISION FINALE

Eurovision has been around since 1956; it was the “Idol” series before “Idol” existed. Come and join The Russian House team for our Finale watch party and see Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK battle it out LIVE on stage. (The Swedes cancelled their party due to the late start)
See each of the contestants here!

What is Eurovision?
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries’ songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. The Contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. It is also one of the most-watched non-sporting events in the world, with audience figures having been quoted in recent years as anything between 100 million and 600 million internationally.

See eurovision.tv for more info!

Meet GENE TODOROV from the Brass House, our Bulgarian member of the month in Austin!
Working on the next EuroCircle Austin event, stay tuned!! Email austin(at)eurocircle.com any suggestions

New York – May 10 2014

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Eurovision Finals Viewing Party

Join us as we watch the Eurovision Finals at this hot rooftop & lounge near Herald Square.The Eurovision song contest will start live at 3pm – this year it is being televised live from Denmark.There will be drinks of the day in special in addition to a food bar menu available for purchase.

Featured Co-Host: Rada, Bulgaria. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Rada came to the U.S. for college. After graduating from Mount Holyoke she moved to the world’s theatrical capital, New York City, to follow her passion for theater and writing. Today she brings the best of Broadway to audiences across the U.S. and her writing has taken the shape of songs. Rada is pleased to offer Eurocircle members an exclusive download of her song “Anonymous In New York” available on her website: www.radanow.com

About Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest running television shows in the world. It was on the 24th of May, 1956, that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest. After 56 runnings, the contest is one of the most typical European traditions and without doubt, Europe’s favorite TV show! In 2005, the Eurovision Song Contest celebrated its 50th anniversary by picking the best entry to date.

We look forward to a fun event – can you predict which country will win?

Best,
Alexandra and the EuroCircle New York Team