Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the Uncategorized category.
Blog Has Moved
The Georgia Center of Innovation for Life Sciences has moved to:
http://lifesciences.georgiainnovation.org/blog/list/1
Entrepreneur gets grant from Facebook
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090113.BREAKTHROUGH13//TPStory
He’s got game
Winning support – and a big chunk of cash – from an Internet giant is a dream come true for founder of online game company
So the idea of free money from a tech giant, showing its confidence in your fledgling business, would seem the stuff of fantasy.
But Rob Balahura knows otherwise. The 37-year-old founder of J2Play in Waterloo, Ont., had spent two years building what he terms a “social wrapper” for online games – a way of allowing makers of PC, Web and cellphone games to distribute them on social networking websites such as Facebook or MySpace.
The technology offers game makers a compelling proposition. Instead of hawking their wares on Web portals such as Big Fish Games or Real Arcade, which keep as much as 80 per cent of the revenue, “we enable developers to republish their games on a new channel: the social Web, ” Mr. Balahura says.
Upcoming Events for Entrepreneurs in Georgia
Director’s Note: I thought I would spread the word about some interesting events going on in Georgia for entrepreneurs. Not all of these events are life science friendly, but I included them anyway for the technology related readers. I shamelessly plagiarized the content of these websites in order to make it look like I worked harder on this submission to my blog than I really did.
February 4, 5 and 11
Warner Robin, Savannah and Athens with a possible addition of an Augusta event
http://www.sbirga.com/
So, you’ve heard about SBIR and STTR but still a little fuzzy about how it works or if you qualify. Maybe you know about it, but have never actually submitted a proposal because it seems so daunting. Maybe you’ve submitted a proposal but were unsuccessful and don’t understand why you didn’t receive an award. Maybe we can help.
The SBIR Assistance Program for the State of Georgia will present this short workshop which will first give an overview of how the SBIR and STTR programs work and will help you decide if this is something you should get involved with. This includes who qualifies, what the participating federal agencies are looking for, what the intellectual property issues are, what the funding limits are, and what the timeline is.
The workshop then goes into what is involved in a preparing a competitive proposal for SBIR and STTR funding. How you approach the proposal, what points need to be addressed, how you construct the budget, examples of good and bad proposals and sources of assistance are covered.
Attend one of the following SBIR/STTR Workshops in Georgia:
- February 4th Warner Robins
- February 5th Savannah
- February 11th Athens
- An event in Augusta is also being planned
Startup Riot
Wednesday, February 18
Atlanta
http://www.startupriot.com
Attendance Policies
Who can attend?
Startup Riot is open to all investors (institutional and corporate VCs and angels), entrepreneurs, individuals looking for startup jobs, and large companies looking for partnerships and/or M&A opportunities.
Who can’t attend?
If you provide services to startups (attorneys, benefits, legal, etc.) you are NOT premitted to attend unless you are a part of a Startup Riot sponsoring organization. Individuals who have started service firms are included in this group of disallowed attendees. Finally, individuals who run pay-to-pitch organizations are absolutely NOT permitted to attend.
We are also not allowing anyone who works in a service industry but claims to be coming “on their own”. We had a bad experience last time and we aren’t doing that again.
Oh also, if you snuck into the event and either didn’t pay (and still refuse to pay) the registration fee or if you paid less than you should have (by way of deceit), you will be refused access from here on out. You know who you are.
StartupLounge
February 25, 2009
Atlanta
http://www.startuplounge.com/
Director’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I think you should know that I am a shadow partner of StartupLounge. I have been a part of this crew almost since the beginning. I try to stay out of the limelight because Scott and Mike are huge divas. It’s just easier to let them be “the talent”. I wield my power under the cover of darkness.
Each quarter, StartupLounge.com hosts a private networking event for early-stage entrepreneurs and investors here in the Southeast. Formerly called “Capital Connections”, CapitalLounge is held in Atlanta, Georgia, and is attended by fast-growth entrepreneurs based in the Southeast U.S., as well as venture capital and angel investors from around the country.
The format is simple: cash bar, free gourmet food spread, lots of networking, several hundred vetted attendees, and no fees at the door.
Our goals behind the event are simple:
- to provide an environment where early stage entrepreneurs can make connections with other like-minded entrepreneurs
- to provide the opportunity for early-stage investors to meet and mingle with early-stage entrepreneurs
- to provide an environment that is free of service-providers, brokers, consultants, job-seekers, and other such solicitations
- to play a role in boosting the entrepreneurial/startup footprint of the southeast
- to provide a centrally-located venue for attendees in the Atlanta area (perimeter, rather than downtown)
- to facilitate this event at no cost to the participants
Who may attend?
If you fall into any of the following professional categories, you may be eligible to attend the CapitalLounge event. You will still need to apply online, however, in order to be considered.
For a more in-depth look at the deal selection process, click here.
- An early-stage (fast growth) entrepreneur located within the Southeastern United States (Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky). Note: this is not the same as a “small business entrepreneur.” We want people who are swinging for the fences, not starting a sandwich shop (nothing wrong with the latter, mind you, that just isn’t our focus.) Bootstrappers and holders of idea-napkins are welcome to apply as well!
- A later-stage entrepreneur seeking expansion capital or new network contacts (again, must be based in the S.E.)
- An accredited venture capitalist
- An accredited angel investor (as defined by the SEC: someone who earns over $200,000 a year for three years or for two years if they have a reasonable expectation of earning more than $200,000 in the current year or someone who has net worth in excess of $1 million.)
- An observer (e.g. media, professor, etc.)
- Some combination of the above (e.g. a successful entrepreneur looking to make an angel investment)
Please note that we define a “fast-growth” venture as one that will eventually employ between 20 and 500 people, have sales growth of at least 20 percent projected each year for four straight years, and target five-year revenue projections between $10 and $50 million. Typical industries would include (but are not limited to) information technology, healthcare, life sciences/biotech, pharmaceutical, energy/cleantech, and new media.
Who is not targeted for this event?
As the focus is on connecting entrepreneurs with other like-minded entrepreneurs and risk-focused investors, service providers, including, but not limited to, business brokers, attorneys, accountants, staffing companies, offshore service providers, marketers, IT services companies, and consultants, will not be allowed to attend. This is also not an event for job-seekers!
All investor attendees must clearly demonstrate a substantial risk component within their model (i.e. traditional venture capital, angel investing, etc.) As such, fee-based capital brokers, “pay-to-pitch” entities, debt providers (including banks), and other such organizations will not be permitted to attend.
Southeast Venture Conference
March 11-12. 2009
Atlanta
http://www.seventure.org/index.html
The third annual Southeast Venture Conference (SEVC) showcases the most promising emerging technology firms in the southeast region and provides these companies with unmatched exposure to the region’s top venture capitalists and private equity investors.
The SEVC strives to support entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and the resultant economic development of the Southeast, while understanding the importance of investment capital to those goals.
Presented by TechJournal South, the business publication of the southeast’s technology community, the SEVC promotes networking and interaction among the leaders of tomorrow’s economy.
SBIR/STTR Training Opportunities in Georgia
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2 Upcoming Events for Entrepreneurs
Here are a couple of events this week that would be useful for entrepreneurs to attend.
MIT Enterprise Forum of Atlanta
Run It By The Pros – A Member’s Only Event :
MIT Enterprise Forum Members are invited to attend our upcoming “Run It By The Pros” workshop to be held January 7, 2009. At this event 3 new companies will present their business plans to a panel of experts. Hosted by Sutherland LLP, 999 Peachtree Street NW; 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Seating is limited. http://www.mitforum-atlanta.org/events/2009/01_07_09.php
The MIT Enterprise Forum of Atlanta is a volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational programs and services that promote and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship at the intersection of business and technology in the Southeast.
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GeorgiaBio – Emerging Company Committee
Aggressive Strategies in the Current Market
http://www.gabio.org/event_details.aspx?refid=1&id=147
January 6, 2009 4-6 pm
GTRI Conference Center
250 14th Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30318
Contact: GaBio Business Office at 404-221-0617
admin@gabio.org
Description: This panel will focus on the impact that the current global economic climate is having and possibly will have on the life science industry. Specifically there will be a focus on the way that the industry is adapting to changing market conditions. Leading global industry consultants will offer a view on the industry as a whole and the current financial land and Georgia companies will discuss some of the creative ways that their business have progressed. Panel to be followed by wine and cheese networking reception.
Panelists
Hector G. Calzada, Jr., Director, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
Jim Heitner, Partner, Georgia Venture Partners
Rebecca J Kaufman (Becky), Partner, King and Spalding, LLC.
Bill Luallen, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Nina Sawczuk, MS, MBA – Co-Founder and CEO, Zygogen, LLC.
GA entrepreneur gets national press just in time for the holidays
See this article on Market Watch to read about the success of a Georgia entrepreneur. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Philanthropy-Gift-Cards-With-a/story.aspx?guid=%7B42FA8C96-39DA-40BB-B78D-25774B2C3E75%7D
Philanthropy Gift Cards, With a Twist – Sold at H-E-B
