CVF Past Events: 2006
Here is a brief description of our most recent events. When possible, we provide the speaker's power point presentation. Please click on the date and topic of interest, and you will be directed to that information on this page.
November 16, 2006
Solar Energy
September 21, 2006
Film Technology Panel
July 20, 2006
The State of Investment in New Mexico
May 18, 2006
Negotiating the Exit
March 16, 2006
Funding the Team
January 19, 2006
Mapping New Mexico's Human Capital Assets
NOVEMBER 16, 2006 Featured Presentation:
Solar Energy Panel
Bill Lese, Braemer Energy Ventures
Mr. Lese has more than 21 years of research, operating and venture capital experience in the power and environmental businesses.
Ben Luce, LANL
Dr. Luce is a theoretical physicist and renewable energy advocate; a staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory; President of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association; and Chair and Policy Director of the New Mexico Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (CCAE).
Rusty Schmit, Advent Solar
Founder of Advent Solar.
Description:
The Solar Energy sector is outpacing even many optimistic predictions. Last year venture capital firms invested more than $1.5 billion in clean-tech companies (source: VentureOne). In 2005, public solar companies achieved impressive volume, revenue, and profit growth. Clearly, the Solar Energy sector offers entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and professionals exciting opportunities. This event was held in Albuquerque at the offices of Advent Solar.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 Featured Presentation:
Film Technology Panel
Peter Dekom is the advisor to the State Investment Council for its film investments.
Ed Angel is the Director of the Arts Technology Center in the College of Fine Arts at UNM.
Brad Carvey is an engineer and designer of the first wire-wrapped Video Toaster, for use in the editing and production of video on personal computers.
Description:
The technology behind the movie industry is advancing in fascinating directions, especially in our own state. New Mexico has several clear competitive advantages in film technology: one of the highest concentration of Ph.D's and advanced degree holders anywhere; a rich culture of creativity and artistic expression; some of the most beautiful landscape in the world; and a highly competitive incentives program for start-up businesses.
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JULY 20, 2006 Featured Presentation:
The State of Investment in New Mexico
Greg Kulka, Director - Private Equity & ETI, NM State Investment Council
Brian Birk, Regional Director - Private Equity, Fort Washington Capital Partners
Description:
Business development objectives can often be achieved more easily with an effective public private partnership. The New Mexico State Investment Council has been working diligently on a variety of initiatives that aim to increase investment options for New Mexico businesses. Greg Kulka and Brian Birk will review the SIC initiatives and the results to date. They will discuss the impact of these efforts on investors and the business investment environment in New Mexico.
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MAY 18, 2006 Featured Presentation:
Negotiating the Exit
Ned Godshall, CEO Altela, Inc.
Tom Stephenson, Verge Fund
Description:
When is the right time to exit a deal and provide liquidity for investors? How do you determine when to sell, whom to sell out to, and how to conduct the negotiations? Our speakers will discuss these and other challenging issues in the context of a recent deal — MesoFuel — which was sold to an international company less than two years after it was founded in 2002.
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MARCH 16, 2006 Featured Presentation:
Funding the Team
Waneta Tuttle, PhD Exagen Diagnostics
David Durgin, Verge Fund
Description:
People issues are one of the critical factors for investors when examing a start-up. The existing team's experience, track record, and abilities can determine whether the company even receives funding. This program will coverthe challenges in creating the initial team,the risks in hiring, the issues surrounding transitions,and the special hiring challenges in New Mexico.
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JANUARY 19, 2006 Featured Presentation:
Why Your Marketing is Critical to Investors
Brian Birk, Vice President and Regional Director of Private Equity for Fort Washington Capital Partners
Robert M. Harbour, President and CEO of Lumidigm Inc.
Description:
A startup's marketing strategy and plan provides a road map for
connecting their products or services to interested customers. The
speakers will discuss why that plan is essential to investors and the
key elements investors expect to see. Topics include how to pull a
marketing plan together, where and how to get vital data for that plan,
key questions and answers to consider, and how a marketing strategy can
drive operational activities.
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