Market gyrations and economic uncertainty have created turmoil in many businesses and industries and have caused entrepreneurs and employees to ask "What the heck do we do next?".  This event will discuss issues and strategies for starting, financing, and managing a new venture in the current environment.  Panelists will discuss:

1) What types of businesses are VCs interested in funding today?

2) What do you need to launch your business and get funding (business plan, prototype, revenue, etc..)?

3) What are some local sources of funding for early stage companies?

4) What are the best strategies to grow market share and take business from established players?

The Ventures Committee of the Columbia University Business School Alumni Club of New York has brought together panelists directly involved with starting and financing new ventures in New York who will discuss their views on the current market landscape, emerging opportunities and strategies for successfully pursuing them. 

You should attend this event if:

-You are an entrepreneur considering starting a business in this environment

 -You are a manager seeking strategies to better position your company for success

-You are a career-changer evaluating how to target your search or set out on your own

-You are a current student, and want to see wheat opportunities await you

Moderator:

Brian S. Model, CBS’01, is a Managing Director of Stonehenge Growth Capital.  He is responsible for the management of SGC’s New York growth equity portfolio and currently has 10 active portfolio companies. He serves as a director or board observer on six of those companies. Mr. Model has 12 years of entrepreneurial and operating experience. He was a retail executive and entrepreneur responsible for both online and physical retail locations throughout the country. 

Panelists:

Mark P. Davis, CBS ’08, is an Associate at DFJ Gotham Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City focused primarily on investments in information technology startups based in the Northeast U.S. and Israel.  Mark is the author of Get Venture, a blog that addresses industry topics and offers guidance to entrepreneurs on how to raise venture capital and an occasional contributor to a number of industry news services, including Silicon Alley Insider and CenterNetworks.  Mark is also the founder of the Columbia Venture Community, a group serving Columbia University’s student and alumni entrepreneurs. Before joining DFJ Gotham, Mark was the Founder and CEO Zotspot, an internet search destination, and an advisor to numerous startups. 

Divjot "Sunny"  Narang, is a Managing Director of the New York Small Business Technology Investment Fund (SBTIF).  SBTIF is an operating unit within the New York State Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) that provides early stage high-tech companies throughout New York State with a source of venture capital financing. SBTIF makes early stage equity and debt investments in companies that have developed new innovative technology products or services, that provide significant competitive advantage, and possesses a strong intellectual property position. NYSTAR supports technology development, innovation and commercialization leading to economic growth in New York State. Initiatives include academic-industry R&D partnerships, technology transfer initiatives, faculty recruitment and retention efforts at higher education institutions.

Peter W. Rothberg, is a Partner with Duane Morris LLP.  He practices in the area of corporate law with a focus on corporate securities, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, financial transactions and digital media company representation. Mr. Rothberg serves as outside general counsel to venture capital funds and to private companies involved in a variety of industries, particularly in connection with financing and acquisitions transactions, including venture capital and private equity fund investments in such companies, private placements of securities, bridge financings, IPOs and public and private mergers and acquisitions.

DATE

Tuesday, May 14, 2009

AGENDA

6:00 - 6:30PM Registration

6:30 - 7:30PM Program

7:30 - 8:30PM Reception & Networking

PLACE

Duane Morris LLP
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-4086

Building entrance on 45th Street, just east of Times Square.

PRICE

CBSACNY Members/CBS Students/'09 Graduates $25

Non-members $35

To purchase a spot Click here!!!

To become a member of the CBSAC/NY click here

This event is brought to you by Brian Model and Edward Rashba, Ventures Committee Co-Chairs with the generous sponsorship of Duane Morris LLP