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Surfing the Wave – What the heck is crowdfunding anyway?

Crowdfunding is the hipster way to go, but how effective is it? Join us as we discuss the ups and downs of crowdfunding and what it means for you. Hear from entrepreneurs who have received funding from Angel List and Kickstarter and an expert on the legal implications of getting funding from the crowd.

Speakers:
Andy Cook, CoFounder – Rentabilities
Sam Aquillano, Founder, Director – Design Museum Boston
Brad McNamara, Founder – Freight Farms
Michelle Basil, Partner – Nutter McClennen and Fish
Moderator:
Ben Littauer – Launchpad and Boston Harbor Angels

Location:
Dogpatch Labs
1 Cambridge Center, 6th Floor
Cambridge, MA

Ralph Sheridan – Angel Video Interview Series

[This post is part of an on-going series of video interviews with members of the start-up community - see a list of links to the full series here.] A chemist turned turned IT security and clean tech expert, Ralph Sheridan has been buying and investing in companies for over 30 years. For the last five or so, [...]

Expert Lunch: Maximizing Value Through IP

Join us for lunch, followed by two round table discussions to learn about strategies and techniques proven to be effective to add value to early stage companies. This interactive small group setting provides an opportunity to learn about IP basics, strategies for building an IP portfolio, and the role of IP in corporate transactions. Learn how these IP assets play a role in the value of a company, and how they impact the success a company will have in its capital raising efforts. IP broadly encompasses many different types of corporate assets. Businesses in any industry must be aware of the ways in which the company’s future success can be enhanced by an appreciation of IP and its strategic use.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN’s professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Agenda:

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:30 Roundtables

Jean Hammond – Angel Video Interview Series

[This post is part of an on-going series of video interviews with members of the start-up community - see a list of links to the full series here.] Jean Hammond is an institution in the Boston start-up community. She’s a Sloan MBA with a ton of entrepreneurial experience in the digital signal processing and networking space who [...]

Boards and Advisory Boards: Different Animals

New entrepreneurs show a lot of confusion on the subject of advisory boards and corporate boards of directors. It’s justified; there is some conceptual overlap. But they are very different animals. Think of it as a superset/subset relationship: a good board will provide some of the advice and guidance of an advisory board, but corporate [...]

Expert Lunch: Transitioning from Seed to VC

Is your start-up ready to transition from seed capital to venture capital? This limited seat luncheon will provide attendees with advice on how to appeal to venture capitalists now that your start-up is off the ground. Expert advice from professionals at Bingham McCutchen will cover business plan essentials and the pitch, as well as term sheets. Prepare yourself and your company when adding new investors by understanding valuation and other terms, as well as the impact of dilution on your ownership.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN’s professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

VC Bootcamp: Why Boston is a Great Place to Launch

By Dave McLaughlin, CEO of VSnap

Recently The Capital Network presented its Venture Fast Track program, a one-day “boot camp” to prepare startups for success with venture capitalists and angel investors. So often I find that people with great ideas might be a little bit unsure whether they’re a good fit to plug into all the resources offered by organizations like The Capital Network, MassChallenge, Boston World Partnerships, Venture Café, and so many more. It’s important that people understand just how open this community is. If you have a hunger to start and grow something, just show up! You’ll be welcome.

At the Venture Fast Track, people commented on two big buckets of value: the info and the people.

Detailed Intelligence

There was an amazing volume of detailed intelligence shared by presenters. (You can click here to see the detailed agenda). This is one of the great things about being in Boston – all the specialized 411 that you need is available to you if you just dive in and start asking questions at events like this one.

Patrick Hayes is the Founder of Shopping Manager, a company that he describes as “managing a phenomenal grocery shopping experience for consumers.” For him, the most valuable part of the day was the in-depth discussion of Cap Tables and the dilution that founders and early-stage investors experience during follow-on financings.

Tonya C. Johnson is founder of Ancient Baker, a Jamaica Plain bakery that uses ancient grains and medicinal plants. For her too, the greatest takeaway was the incredible detail on all the intricacies of raising angel and venture capital.

Accessible Experts

My experience is that the Boston area has tons of super-knowledgeable people who are accessible and willing to share what they know to help someone else launch and grow their business. This forum definitely proved that out, and several of the attendees cited this aspect of the event as the greatest source of value

John Clark is President of Indivly, a startup that rewards viral content creators. He commented that “the open and honest feedback” was the most valuable aspect of the day.

Janine Franceschi is Founder of PAW, a service that helps affluent pet-toting travelers find luxury pet-friendly accommodations. She described the most valuable part of the day as the “direct access to individuals who have done it, lived it, and lived to tell about this crazy entrepreneurial ride we’re all on.”

Really Enjoyable

People all over the world are dying to learn the kind of information shared in this session. As a community, we shouldn’t forget that. And part of what’s so awesome is that sessions like this one make it really pleasant and enjoyable, like a social activity, to learn all this stuff. You leave feeling totally energized.

Aubrie Pagano, Founder & CEO of Zoora, which is a really cool online marketplace for designer custom clothing, talked about this. “I really enjoyed the small group setting and the opportunity to share a meal with investors. It was an intimate, casual way to be introduced.”

I found a lot of value in the nuanced dynamics of dialogue with venture investors in a role play negotiation acted out by Matt Witheiler of Flybridge Capital, who mock-invested in a company pitched by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO of the event management service Punchbowl, based in Framingham. There’s no substitute for getting in a room and soaking this stuff up.

If you wish you’d known about this event earlier, well, don’t fret. Keep in mind that The Capital Network offers tons of events, all full of insight and modestly priced. It’s just one of the many resources in Greater Boston for people looking to launch!

Dave McLaughlin is CEO and Co-Founder of Vsnap. He is a member of The Capital Network’s Advisory Committee and a Board Member of Boston World Partnerships.

SAM HAMMAR NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CAPITAL NETWORK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Meredith Childs

Phone 210-393-0547

Email [email protected]

WELLESLEY, Mass., April 2, 2012 — The Capital Network (TCN), Boston’s leading non-profit organization providing education and community to entrepreneurs and investors around funding for startups, today announced that Sam Hammar has joined the organization as Executive Director. Sam replaces Michelle Hipwood, who has joined TCN alumni company, ImmusanT, a venture backed biotechnology company, as Director of Finance and Operations.

“Under Michelle’s guidance, TCN has grown into an incredibly effective organization providing high quality programming and community to entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists and others in the entrepreneurship ecosystem”

said Jeremy Halpern, TCN Board Member, and a Partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP “We believe that Sam will bring strong entrepreneurial energy, and a broadened strategic vision, as we continue to build an organization that can add tremendous value to startups raising capital at many different stages.”

Well known among entrepreneurs in Boston, Sam most recently spent four and a half years working for Mayor Menino’s Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) on the City’s Innovation District Initiative. She joined the BRA’s Economic Development team in late 2007 to market the City for business attraction and found herself helping craft the vision, strategy, and communications plan for the Innovation District upon its announcement by the Mayor in January 2010.

With a strong belief that the entrepreneurial community and its connectivity could drive the success of the area, Sam has built a global communications infrastructure that has seen a migration of companies to the District, supporting the vision of the agency. Since its inception, over 100 businesses and 3,000 employees have moved there.

Her passion for transparent and accessible organizations prompted her to advise several other City departments on revolutionizing the way they communicate with their constituencies.

“I am thrilled to be able to continue my work with Boston’s entrepreneurial community, helping startups actualize the vision for their companies,” said Sam. “The opportunity to drive The Capital Network’s next stage of growth is a natural extension of my passion around entrepreneurship, and I look forward to working with the community, the board and the organization’s tremendous sponsors to build on the great work that Michelle did as my predecessor.”

Sam holds an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida. Before joining the City, Sam used her marketing and community engagement skills for fundraising at the American Cancer Society, teaching Social Activism at a Boston Public High School, and producing trade shows for The Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

About The Capital Network

The Capital Network provides the most comprehensive set of early-stage financing education, networking and resources available in New England. Through large breakfast roundtables, intimate deep-dive topic lunches, mentoring sessions, Fast Track Boot Camps, focused industry special events and networking receptions, The Capital Network connects New England’s premier entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, corporate/strategic investors, government agencies, educational institutions, and area-expert service providers.

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Legal Needs

You need them early and often. Here are some of the best in town to call. Tell them TCN sent ya!

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Finding your team and Payroll

Find people and pay them!

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