Venture Conference Archives
Venture 2007 Highlights
CED hosted its 24th annual Venture conference this week with 800+ people participating in total, including more than 250 investors from 20 states.
Over 60 high-growth companies from an eight-state region presented at the conference. Venture 2007 also offered a first-ever Start-up Speed Dating session on Tuesday afternoon, which gave pre-seed companies an opportunity to meet with investors in a fast-paced, rotating session.
Here are a few print, radio and online stories about Venture 2007:
Conversation with Angel Expert Jeffrey Sohl
Allan Maurer, a reporter with TechJournal South, has interviewed angel expert Jeffrey Sohl in advance of next week's Angel Investor Retreat at Venture 2007.
Sohl will deliver featured remarks during the retreat on April 24 at 8:30am.
Monica Doss Guest Column: Funding Fuels Growth
In advance of next week's Venture 2007 conference, Business Leader has featured a cover story on past Venture conference presenter Integrian.
In addition, the magazine included a guest column from CED President Monica Doss.
The article examines the results of CED's 2007 Entrepreneurial Satisfaction Survey, which found that access to capital remains a critical factor in starting and growing a company.
Angel Optimism
Angels are optimistic about the climate for investments in early-stage businesses in 2007, according to a report from the Angel Capital Association (ACA).
This news follows CED's recent announcement of nine presenting companies at its Angel Investor Retreat on April 24 in Durham.
This optimism comes at the same time when angel groups reported increases in investments in 2006 over 2005, with a 23 percent increase in average total investment dollars by group and 34 percent growth in the average number of deals the groups funded.
On the Menu Episode 1: PWC's Jeff Barber
CED has launched an Internet T.V. show featuring conversations with innovators, entrepreneurs and investors from across the region. CED’s new Web-based interview series, “On the Menu: Out to Lunch with Innovators and Entrepreneurs,” was created in partnership with Raleigh-based digital media firm Myriad Media.
CED will stream a new 4-5 minute interview from its Web site every 4-6 weeks.
The first “On the Menu” interview -- recorded at a New Orleans-style restaurant in downtown Raleigh called The Big -- features a conversation with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Jeff Barber, who is co-chair of CED’s upcoming Venture 2007 conference.
Watch the YouTube version:
Venture Fundraising: River Cities Closes $75 Million for Fourth Fund
River Cities Capital Funds, which has offices in Cincinnati and Raleigh, has raised $75 million in a first close of its $150-200 million fourth fund, according to recent fundraising disclosures.
Rik Vandevenne, a principal in River Cities’ Raleigh office, said the firm is actively looking to invest in IT and healthcare expansion-stage companies in the Midwest and Southeast.
Angel Investing Jumps in 2006
Angels invested $25.6 billion in entrepreneurial companies in 2006, a 10.8% increase over 2005, according to a newly released study (PDF) by the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire.
The center's director, Jeffrey Sohl, will elaborate on these findings during featured remarks at CED's Angel Investor Retreat on April 24 at Venture 2007.
CED Podcast: The State of Venture Capital
CED has posted an audio podcast (MP3 file) of NVCA President Mark Heesen's "State of Venture Capital" presentation. Heesen gave this talk on Feb. 1 at UNC-Chapel Hill's Carolina Club.
As Jason Caplain notes in this Southeast VC blog, Heesen's slides (PPT file) include a detailed breakdown of national and NC-specific venture data.
Q&A with NVCA's Mark Heesen
In advance of CED's "State of Venture Capital" program this afternoon at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Raleigh News & Observer has published a Q&A with NVCA President Mark Heesen.
Here are excerpts from N&O reporter Frank Norton's conversation with Heesen:
VC Predictions for 2007
Venture capitalists are predicting a strong and stable investment climate in 2007 with opportunities across a diverse group of industry sectors and global regions, according to a recent survey (PDF) from the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).
NVCA, which is a supporting sponsor of CED's Venture 2007 conference, gathered comments from numerous venture capitalists about what to expect in the new year.
Getting Connected in Asheville - Part 2
CED President Monica Doss blogs again from the recent "Connect" conference Asheville:
BREC and Asheville are becoming a magnet for the pockets of innovation that are spread throughout western NC and eastern Tennessee.
We’ve all talked about our sense that pockets of serious innovation are erupting far outside of the traditional technology hot beds and that is validated here.
Getting Connected in Asheville
From CED President Monica Doss:
I'm writing from Asheville, NC, at the 4th BREC Carolina Connect Conference in the company of about 300 entrepreneurs, investors, students and local business leaders.
BREC (Blue Ridge Entrepreneurcial Council) and BRAIN (Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network) were created by Advantage West, the economic development regional partnership that serves 20+/- western North Carolina counties, and is supported also by the Appalachian Regional Comission.
The main and breakout sessions have been enthusiastic and packed, and lots of laughter and applause everywhere.
Biotech Resources
Dr. Leslie Alexandre, president and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, describes the public and private resources that can help bioscience entrepreneurs succeed.
Alexandre says that the region's key strength is the collaborative nature among organizations championing biotech entrepreneurship.
Engaging the Angel Community
PricewaterhouseCoopers hosted its quarterly "Shaking the MoneyTree" breakfast this morning in Cary, NC.
After going over the Q1 2006 venture numbers, PWC's Jeff Barber moderated a panel discussion with two active venture capitalists: The Aurora Funds' Jeff Clark and H.I.G. Ventures' David Sung.
One interesting discussion topic was the status of seed and early-stage investing.
Listening to Kurzweil's Keynote
Did you miss Ray Kurzweil's memorable keynote address at Venture 2006 two weeks ago? Or do you want to hear it again?
If so, you can now listen to the audio (ZIP file) of his presentation, just posted online on the Venture 2006 site.
John Warner's Notes from Venture 2006
John Warner, a well-known entrepreneur, author and blogger from South Carolina, had several interesting posts from his experience in Pinehurst at CED's Venture 2006 conference.
Southern Capitol Ventures' Jason Caplain shares his thoughts on Venture 2006. #
Rick Smith of WRAL Local Tech Wire writes that enthusiasm is high at CED's annual Venture conference. #
Check out this article from the News & Observer's Sabine Vollmer on North Carolina''s thriving, competitive life science economy. #
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Recent Entries
- Venture 2007 Highlights
- Conversation with Angel Expert Jeffrey Sohl
- Monica Doss Guest Column: Funding Fuels Growth
- Angel Optimism
- On the Menu Episode 1: PWC's Jeff Barber
- Venture Fundraising: River Cities Closes $75 Million for Fourth Fund
- Angel Investing Jumps in 2006
- CED Podcast: The State of Venture Capital
- Q&A with NVCA's Mark Heesen
- VC Predictions for 2007