The Capital Network — Past Programs

Programs

Past/Archives

Dec. 7, 2011, 12=noon

FUNDING THROUGH IP LICENSING

This limited seat luncheon helps you explore whether your IP portfolio could be licensed to add cash to your business. The discussion will also touch on the advantages and pitfalls of licensing as well as the various kinds of licensing possibilities.

Working lunch programs are hosted by The Capital Network's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate entrepreneurial development and fundraising processes for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Steve Frank – Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Dec. 1, 2011, 12noon

FOUNDER EQUITY ISSUES: STRUCTURING FOUNDER RELATIONSHIPS, STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENTS AND CHOICE OF ENTITY

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees invaluable information on structuring founder equity to avoid the pitfalls that can harm a company's ability to attract investment capital.

Topic Expert:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Nov. 30, 2011, 8:00 - 10:00am

TCN WOMEN's BREAKFAST

CATALYZING GROWTH: INCREASING THE SUCCESS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN IN HIGH GROWTH STARTUPS

More women than ever are launching high growth start-ups. TCN and Boston's Entrepreneurial Community invites you to join us for a special Women's Breakfast Roundtable focused on the challenges around women's entrepreneurship in Greater Boston.

The panel of experts will examine some of the key issues facing start-ups and why women may face extra challenges in creating a high growth start-up. Topics include:

Building a strong network and using that network to propel your company
Team-building for growth and for investor expectations while communicating expertise
Aiming high enough and learning to communicate high potential and realistic short-term plans
Thinking beyond starting a couple million dollar business to building a business with high growth or extreme growth potential

OPENING REMARKS AND INDUSTRY OVERVIEW BY:

Lisa Adams - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

IP Counsel to clients on diverse technology portfolios
President, Boston Patent Law Association
Vice Chair, Education Committee, United Way Women's Initiative
Selected as Massachusetts Rising Star 2005-2008

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION:

Following the panel discussion, there will be three breakout sessions:

The World of IP and growing your company
Getting to a Term Sheet
What Stage is Your Business - where to go next...

FEATURING:

Bettina Hein - Founder and CEO, Pixability, Inc.

Previously cofounded Swiss based SVOX AG and led venture backed speech software to profitability
Initiator of START, an organization that advocates entrepreneurship among college students
START received the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Dayna Grayson - Principal, North Bridge Venture Partners

Led investments in Awareness, Currensee, and Viximo
Previously led new product development efforts at Blackbaud (BLKB)
Was a previously a consultant with Cap Gemini Ernst and Young

MODERATED BY:

Katie Rae - Managing Director, TechStars Boston

Founder of Project11
Previously, Head of Product atMicrosoft Startup Labs
Was SVP of Product at Eons

Venue:

Microsoft New England R&D Center (Cambridge, MA)

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Nov. 15, 2011, 12noon

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 101 FOR LIFE SCIENCE ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurial founders, CEOs and CFOs of high growth startups will want to attend this event and hear the experts at MFA – Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico as they guide you through an exploration of the unique accounting challenges and tax opportunities facing life sciences companies. Walk away with an understanding of how to best navigate the complex life sciences financial reporting, accounting and tax requirements along with practical advice on how to avoid pitfalls that could affect everything from cash flow to your ability to raise capital.

Hosted by:

Moody Famiglietti & Andronico (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

Nov. 8, 2011, 7:30am to 5:30pm

TCN LIFE SCIENCE FAST TRACK:

Unique Challenges for Life Science, Medical and Health Entrepreneurs in 2011

Building on the success of TCN’s Fast Track Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs, the Life Science Fast Track is an intensive, interactive half-day seminar designed to provide entrepreneurs and investors an in-depth understanding of what it takes to raise early stage capital for a life science startup.

Topics & Agenda:

see TCN Life Science Fast Track home page

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Platinum Sponsor and Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

View video clip

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Nov. 1, 2011, 12noon

DEBT FINANCING OPTIONS: WORKING CAPITAL, FACTORING, LEASING AND VENTURE DEBT

This limited seat luncheon discusses how to use sophisticated debt instruments to leverage company equity and reduce dilution. Topics to be discussed include the types, costs and benefits of debt products for technology and life sciences start-ups, the prerequisites for negotiating and closing on a debt financing, and how to calculate the leverage, risk and returns on your equity. The lunch will also include tips on how to form relationships with lenders before you actually need the cash.

Topic Expert:

Brad Holt - Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Oct. 20, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

TCN UpStart Roundtables are monthly gatherings at the Venture Cafe that bring together Boston-area early-stage startups and seasoned entrepreneurs. This free series with The Capital Network, Venture Cafe, and Silicon Valley Bank is a great opportunity for you to ask burning questions about starting a company and meet other like-minded entrepreneurs in a casual cafe setting.

Guest Speaker:

Rob May – CEO & Founder of Backupify

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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Oct. 19, 2011, 7:30 - 9:30am

BUILDING A HIGH GROWTH BUSINESS FOR ANGEL AND VENTURE CAPITAL

Only a select few early-stage companies will have what it takes to get growth capital from outside investors. This session will outline some of the characteristics of fundable companies - from business plan fundamentals to rule-of-thumb metrics used by angel and venture capital investors.

Join our capital-raising experts and veterans in an interactive panel discussion and post-panel networking reception to explore the funding options available.

Speakers:

Hardi Meybaum - CEO, GrabCAD

Kent Bennett - Vice President, Bessemer Venture Partners (slides)

Joshua Herzig-Marx - Founder, VP of Products & Services, Incentive Targeting (contact us for slides)

Eric Hjerpe - Partner, Kepha Partners (slides)

Moderator:

Jennifer Lum - Founding Partner, Apricot Capital

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 27, 2011, 12noon

CURRENT INVESTMENT TRENDS IN MOBILE

This limited seat luncheon explores the trends in investment in the mobile industry. This expert lunch will feature a mobile VCs and will explore which business models, sectors, and industries are getting funded and suggestions on how to catch the eye of an investor. #TCNmobile

This working lunch program is hosted by Critical Mass, New England Venture Capital Association and The Capital Network and will provide tactical level information designed to accelerate entrepreneurial development and fundraising processes for Boston-area startups.

[ Twitter Hashtag: #TCNmobile ]

Speakers:

David Beisel – Co-Founder and Partner, NextView Ventures

Sean Dalton – General Partner, Highland Capital Partners

Jeffrey Glass – Managing Director, Bain Capital Ventures, Boston

Sean Marsh – Co-Founder and General Partner, Point Judith Capital

Ryan Moore – Co-Founder and Partner, GrandBanks Capital

Moderator:

Jerry King – Chief Operating Officer, Where.com

Event Sponsors:

Bingham McCutchen LLP - TCN Platinum Sponsor

Critical Mass

MobileMonday - Boston

New England Venture Capital Association (NVCA)

Venue:

Cambridge Innovation Center

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Sept. 22, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Dave Balter - Founder & CEO, BzzAgent

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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Sept. 13, 2011, 12noon

EQUITY COMPENSATION PRICING AND THE PERILS OF 409A

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation issues and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs. If you are a CEO or a CFO of a high growth startup, this is your chance to join an expert panel from Wolf & Co., one of the area’s premier accounting firms, to discuss the issues confronting your use of stock, options, SARs, and other equity compensation plans.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate entrepreneurial development and fundraising processes for Boston-area startups.

Topic Experts:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Jean Hammond - Member, Hub Angels, Launchpad, & Golden Seeds

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 7, 2011, 6:00 - 9:00pm

FUNDING OPTIONS:

What is the Right Path for You?

This panel-led program provides an essential overview of early stage capital sources including Angels, Angel Groups, Venture Capital, Bank Debt, Venture Debt, Grants, Strategic Partners and Bootstrapping approaches. Topics covered will include investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rates, control features, compliance requirements and the overall costs of capital from each such source.

Join our capital-raising experts and veterans in an interactive panel discussion and post-panel networking reception to explore the funding options available.

SPEAKERS:

VC: Matt Witheiler - Principal, Flybridge Capital Partners (slides)

Angel: Ham Lord - Managing Director, Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Commercial Debt: Dan Allred - Sr Relationship Manager, SVB (slides)

Gov't Aid: Larry Nannis - Partner, Katz, Nannis & Solomon, PC (slides)

Bootstrap Entrepreneur: Tim Jones - Founder & CEO, Buzzient, Inc.

MODERATOR:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Sponsored by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Aug. 18, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Eric M Silberstein - Co-founder, Epernicus

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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Aug. 10, 2011, 12noon

HOW TO USE ANGELSOFT TO EFFECTIVELY RAISE CAPITAL

This program provides entrepreneurs with tips and tricks to make better use of the Angel Soft Program. Most Angel Groups use the Angel Soft software to review deals. Therefore, as an entrepreneur looking for seed capital, there is little way to get around using the Angel Soft Program. This program advises and mentors all-stage entrepreneurs and enables all attendees to experience what top Angel Groups in the community view as essential to getting noticed as a Successful Entrepreneur through Angel Soft. You will have the opportunity to ask specific questions to leading Angel Investors in the Boston Community on what might enable your company to gain seed capital vs. an alternate start-up.

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

Topic Expert:

Christopher M. Mirabile - LaunchPad Venture Group

Ben Littauer - Boston Harbor Angels

Mark LaRosa - Angel Soft

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Aug. 3, 2011, 12noon

FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS - ADVANCED CLASS

This working group lunch will help you understand the Do’s and Don’ts of properly preparing your Financial Projections. Dave Fogel, Principal at Swifton CFOs, will teach the techniques that will get your startup's financial projections noticed by investors as well as those mistakes that will get you rejected. This session will also discuss how to develop the key assumptions that an entrepreneur must provide as well as how to start the impossible --- a sales forecast.

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

Topic Expert:

David Fogel - Principal, Swifton CFOs

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co. (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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July 21, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

John Landry - Managing Director, Lead Dog Ventures

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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July 19, 2011, 12noon

UNDERSTANDING THE DILUTION IMPACT OF EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT: HOW TO BUILD A CAP TABLE

This working group lunch, moderated by one of Boston’s leading experts in the field, will first help you build your own capitalization table in a simple but powerful spreadsheet format and will then explain, in detail, how to use this tool to understand the dilutive impact of stock options, restricted stock, early stage angel or venture capital investment, “down-rounds”, anti-dilution provisions and other similar events. In today’s difficult investment climate, entrepreneurs should have the maximum understanding of the impact of a proposed financing – before they talk to investors. This session will not only explain terms like “pre-money ”, “fully diluted equity”, “option pool”, “percentage ownership,” “weighted average anti-dilution”, “full ratchet anti-dilution” and “per share price” – but will show you the exact numerical consequences of these difficult negotiating points.

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

Topic Expert:

Jeremy Halpern - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP (handout)

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

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June 27, 2011, 12noon

MAXIMIZING VALUE THROUGH IP

In addition to exploring the basics of IP, what it is and what it does, we will discuss strategies and techniques proven to be effective to add value to early stage companies. We will discuss strategic development of IP assets. Learn how these IP assets play a role in the value of a company and 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.

This lunch is limited to 20 entrepreneurs so please register early to reserve your space.

Topic Experts:

Lisa Adams - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Bill Geary - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Ron Cahill - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

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June 23, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Eric Giler - CEO, Witricity; former CEO, Brooktrout and Groove Mobile

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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June 21, 2011, 12noon

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 101 FOR LIFE SCIENCE ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurial founders, CEOs and CFOs of high growth startups will want to attend this event and hear the experts at MFA – Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico as they guide you through an exploration of the unique accounting challenges and tax opportunities facing life sciences companies. Walk away with an understanding of how to best navigate the complex life sciences financial reporting, accounting and tax requirements along with practical advice on how to avoid pitfalls that could affect everything from cash flow to your ability to raise capital.

Hosted by:

Moody Famiglietti & Andronico (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

June 21, 2011, 7:30 - 9:00 am

PREPARING FOR Growth & Exits DURING FUNDRAISING

Always raise capital with an exit in mind.

This special roundtable offers valuable perspectives from a local founder with a recent exited, investor, and lawyer on the critical factors in creating a successful company and planning for a valuable exit event. The interactive discussion will also address the legal logistics, timetables, regulatory challenges and pitfalls to avoid as you approach your exit. You'll learn a spectrum of options to help you navigate through your path to success in growing your New England startup.

Panelists:

Jerry King – Chief Operating Officer, Where.com

Matt Witheiler - Principal, Flybridge Capital

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag

Moderator:

Ian Mashiter – Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Boston University; Partner, Hub Angels

Venue:

Foley Hoag at Seaport West (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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June 16, 2011, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Networking for Fundraising Success

A Special Event from TCN, BWF, and the CFO Roundtable

A special networking event organized by The Capital Network (TCN), Boston Women in Finance (BWF), and the CFO Roundtable focused on the power of networking. This special networking event brings together the Boston area's top Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and Strategic Partners for an evening of wine, food, and more important of all, networking generously hosted by Bingham McCutchen.

Venue:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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June 7, 2011, 7:30am to 5:30pm

TCN VENTURE FAST TRACK

Led by leading experts in the field of startup financing, the limited seat Fast Track is an intensive, interactive full-day seminar designed to provide entrepreneurs and investors an in-depth understanding of what it takes to raise early stage capital for a startup.

The Fast Track Boot Camp is a dynamic, fast-track version of TCN's comprehensive roundtables and expert lunches.

Topics & Agenda:

see TCN Venture Fast Track home page

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

View video clip

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May 26, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Doug Levin – Founder & CEO, Ayeah Games

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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May 11, 2011, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

UNDERSTANDING Cleantech FINANCING:

FROM ANGEL/VC TO PROJECT FINANCE

A Special Event Sponsored by Bingham McCutchen LLP

Energy efficiency, wind, solar, waste-to-energy, geothermal, biofuels, smart-grid, carbon-emissions capture and storage – Who is investing in what and how can you get it? What type of funding is right for you right now? Is it Angel, VC, Strategic, Government, Project Finance?

Don't go it alone or uninformed--we're here to help! Join our capital-raising experts and veterans in an interactive panel discussion and post-panel networking reception to explore the funding options available to CleanTech companies and learn what it takes to successfully attract capital from Boston-area funding sources.

Panelists:

Patrick Cloney - Executive Director, MassCEC

B. Eric Graham - Director, Techbridge Program at Fraunhofer Center

Robin Heffernan – Senior Associate, Flybridge Capital

Stella Karavas - CEO, Voltree Power

Kathleen Phelps - Of Counsel, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP (slides)

Sponsored by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Apr. 28, 2011, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Leslie Williams – Serial Entrepreneur; CEO, ImmusanT

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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Apr. 27, 2011, 12noon

WHEN IS VENTURE CAPITAL RIGHT FOR YOUR EARLY STAGE COMPANY

This limited seat luncheon provides entrepreneurs tips into what their company must look like to be appropriate for venture capital funding. You will have the opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s situation.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Dina Routhier - Principal, Massachusetts Technology Development Corp.

Hosted by:

Massachusetts Technology Development Corp. (TCN Silver Sponsor)

April 26, 2011, 7:30am to 5:30pm

TCN LIFE SCIENCE FAST TRACK:

Unique Challenges for Life Science, Medical and Health Entrepreneurs in 2011

Topics & Agenda:

see TCN Life Science Fast Track home page

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

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Apr. 12, 2011, 7:30am - 9:00am

RAISING CAPITAL WHILE PROTECTING FOUNDERS EQUITY

Raising funds from venture capitalists and angel investors can be an important step in financing your start-up. How do you move past your first round of VC or angel funding to a non-dilutive funding source, such as SBIR funding and debt financing? What are your options and which option is right for your company and when should you pursue those options? Join us for a lively panel discussion to explore various alternative financing options for start-ups.

Speakers:

Thomas A. Fitzgerald - CFO, Velico Medical, Inc. (slides)

ML Mackey - CEO, Beacon Interactive Systems (slides)

Heather Onstott - Director of Small Business, LaunchCapital LLC (slides)

Dan Allred - Senior Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Bob G. Kispert - Director of Cluster Development - JAII at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (slides)

Moderator:

Arnie Scott - Member, HubAngels

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Apr. 5, 2011, 12noon

COMPANY VALUATION METRICS AND ANALYSIS

In today’s economic environment, where investors are strapped for cash and looking for the lowest risk alternatives, the already difficult task of defending your corporate valuation to Angels & VCs is nearly impossible. This limited seat luncheon provides a 2 hours of deep instruction to entrepreneurs struggling to understand valuation methodologies, metrics, tactics and tips for early stage corporate valuations.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Handout: Negotiation and Valuation - Key Concepts

Topic Experts:

Michael Conza – Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Event Sponsor:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Apr. 5, 2011, 12noon

START-ME-UP LEGAL ADVICE LUNCH SERIES (STUDENTS ONLY)

Part 4: Financing Terms for Startups

This program will provide you with an overview of Angel and Venture Capital financing terms and the implications of these two forms of financing. Learn to better navigate New England’s funding landscape in order to successfully raise capital for your start-up.

This FREE lunch series is presented by The Capital Network, Stay-in-MA, and Pepper Hamilton LLP.

Hosted by:

Flybridge Capital Partners

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Apr. 1, 2011, 12:00 - 4:30pm

TCN BUSINESS WORKSHOP

HANDS-ON QUICKBOOKS WORKSHOP FOR ENTREPRENEURS

TCN and SmartBooks are partnering to offer 15 Boston-area entrepreneurs the opportunity learn how to set up a QuickBooks database and use it efficiently and accurately to support their business needs. Attendees will learn to set up their chart of accounts for income statement and balance sheet accounts and utilize QuickBooks features to build invoice templates, record transactions, use reports, and perform reconciliations. We will have three time slots throughout the afternoon when you will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a QuickBooks expert. You will be able to select a time slot when you register.

Event Sponsor:

SmartBooks (TCN Silver Sponsor)

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Mar. 31, 2011, 3:00 - 6:00pm

TCN UpStart roundtable

at the Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

Guest Speaker:

Panos Panay - Founder & CEO, Sonicbids

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Venue:

Venture Cafe at the Cambridge Innovation Center

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Mar. 30, 2011, 12noon

TRANSITION FROM SEED TO VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDING

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.

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Mar. 22, 2011, 12noon

START-ME-UP LEGAL ADVICE LUNCH SERIES (STUDENTS ONLY)

Part 3: Equity Compensation Basics for Startups

This program provides an understanding of equity compensation basics. Join experts from Pepper Hamilton, one of the area’s premier law firms, to discuss the issues confronting your company’s use of stock, options, SARs, and other equity compensation plans. We will discuss founder stock, options, and other equity incentives.

This FREE lunch series is presented by The Capital Network, Stay-in-MA, and Pepper Hamilton LLP.

Hosted by:

Pepper Hamilton LLP

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Mar. 8, 2011, 7:30 - 9:30am

BUSINESS BASICS: COMMON PITFALLS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

You’ve developed the idea, have started to raise money, and are ready to launch your company! Have you thought about how you’ll keep track of finances, how you’ll compensate your employees, and what legal issues you might face? Check out TCN’s new breakfast program that will help you avoid common pitfalls in launching a business. Hear from experts and experienced entrepreneurs on the following topics:

How to Build the Team and Set Up Compensation Expectations
Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Tax Considerations
Legal issues around Incorporation

After hearing advice from the experts and entrepreneurs, participants will have the opportunity to ask talk more intimately with each of the panelists about their respective topics in small groups after the presentation.

This event is limited to 50 entrepreneurs, so reserve your spot today!

Panelists:

Brent Larlee – Serial Entrepreneur; Advisory Board Member, North Shore InnoVentures

Lauren Celano – Co-founder & CEO, Propel Careers (slides)

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag (slides)

Derek Graves – Manager, Wolf & Co (slides)

Calvin Wilder – Co-Founder & President, SmartBooks (slides)

Moderator:

Phil Cooper - Member, Boston Harbor Angels

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Feb. 10, 2011, 12noon

Utilizing YOUR IP TO ACCESS FUNDING

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

Topic Expert:

Steven Frank - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

______________________________

Feb. 9, 2011, 6:00 - 8:30pm

NEGOTIATION & VALUATION

Entrepreneurs have always struggled to develop and defend early stage corporate valuations as they seek to raise equity financing. In today’s economic environment, where investors are strapped for cash and looking for the lowest risk alternatives, the already difficult task of defending your corporate valuation is nearly impossible. In this new financial world, how do entrepreneurs and investors ever arrive at common ground?

To help answer this question, entrepreneurial Founders, CEOs, CFOs and private investors are welcome at this once-a-year TCN Roundtable where valuation methodologies, metrics, tactics and tips are discussed by successful entrepreneurs, angels, venture capitalists and industry experts. A case study of a recent successful financing is examined to test your valuation abilities and acumen in real time. This program has challenged (and amused) even the most experienced entrepreneurs and investors over the years.

Speakers:

Skip Besthoff - General Partner, Castille Ventures

Angelo Santinelli - Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, Babson College

James Herriman - COO, SmartCells

Moderator:

Mike Conza - Partner, Bingham McCutchen

Event Sponsor:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

______________________________

Jan. 19, 2011, 12:00non

UNDERSTANDING DEBT TERM SHEETS

This limited seat luncheon discusses how to use sophisticated debt instruments to leverage company equity and reduce dilution. Topics to be discussed include the types, costs and benefits of debt products for technology and life sciences start-ups, the prerequisites for negotiating and closing on a debt financing, and how to calculate the leverage, risk and returns on your equity. The lunch will also include an explanation of terms and calculations for Debt Term Sheets.

Topic Experts:

Dan Allred - Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

Brad Holt - Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

______________________________

Jan. 11, 2011, 7:30 - 9:30am

PITCHING A BUSINESS PLAN

Early stage ventures seeking investment need to know how to target, locate, approach and close with venture capitalists, angels and strategic investors. Through an interactive panel discussion with leading New England entrepreneurs, attendees will learn how to maximize their chances of identifying the right investors and securing the capital they need to grow their business. Attendees learn how to create an "Elevator Pitch" and what to include in their "Investment Deck".

Speakers:

Matthew Witheiler – Principal, Flybridge Capital Partners (slides)

David Beisel – Co-Founder and Partner, NextView Ventures (slides)

James Woodward – Member, Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Sarah Biller – Co-Founder, Capital Market Exchange (CMX)

Moderator:

Andrew Parvey - VP, Wealth Management Advisors, Merrill Lynch

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

______________________________

Dec. 15, 2010, 12noon

UNDERSTANDING THE DILUTION IMPACT OF EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT

This working group lunch, moderated by one of Boston’s leading experts in the field, will first help you build your own capitalization table in a simple but powerful spreadsheet format and will then explain, indetail, how to use this tool to understand the dilutive impact of stock options, restricted stock, early stage angel or venture capital investment, “down-rounds”, anti-dilution provisions and other similar events. In today’s difficult investment climate, entrepreneurs should have the maximum understanding of the impact of a proposed financing – before they talk to investors. This session will not only explain terms like “pre-money ”, “fully diluted equity”, “option pool”, “percentage ownership,” “weighted average anti-dilution”, “full ratchet anti-dilution” and “per share price” – but will show you the exact numerical consequences of these difficult negotiating points.

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

Topic Expert:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (handout)

Venue:

Cambridge Innovation Center

______________________________

Dec. 7, 2010, 12noon

MAXIMIZING VALUE THROUGH IP

This special lunch event is open only to participants from TCN's Venture Fast Track event (November 9, 2010).

In addition to exploring the basics of Intellectual Property (IP), what it is and what it does, we will discuss strategies and techniques proven to be effective to add value to early stage companies. We will discuss strategic development of IP assets. Learn how these IP assets play a role in the value of a company and 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.

Topic Experts:

Lisa Adams - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Bill Gear - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Ron Cahill - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

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Dec. 1, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30am

TCN WOMEN's BREAKFAST

CATALYZING GROWTH: INCREASING THE SUCCESS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN IN HIGH GROWTH STARTUPS

More women than ever are launching high growth start-ups. Yet even in the Boston area, an entrepreneurial hot bed, companies lead by women don't seem to aim as high or clear as many hurdles. TCN and Boston's Entrepreneurial Community invites you to join us for a special Women's Breakfast Roundtable focused on the challenges around women's entrepreneurship in Greater Boston. At this event, we will hear from an investor and an entrepreneur about these challenges.

The panel of experts will examine some of the key issues facing start-ups and why women may face extra challenges in creating a high growth start-up. Topics include:

Building a strong network and using that network to propel your company
Team-building for growth and for investor expectations while communicating expertise
Aiming high enough and learning to communicate high potential and realistic short-term plans
Thinking beyond starting a couple million dollar business to building a business with high growth or extreme growth potential

OPENING REMARKS AND INDUSTRY OVERVIEW BY:

Lisa Adams - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

IP Counsel to clients on diverse technology portfolios
President, Boston Patent Law Association
Co-founder, Nutter Strategic Planning Program for Early Stage Companies
Vice Chair, Education Committee, United Way Women's Initiative
Selected as Massachusetts Rising Star 2005-2008

FEATURING:

Diane Hessan - President and CEO, Communispace

Co-author of best-selling book, Customer-Centered Growth: Five Strategies for Building Competitive Advantage
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008
Selected as top 10 "Women to Watch" in Boston and as one of 20 Visionaries in the Human Resource arena
Co-founder of The Sound Bytes

Rudina Seseri - Principal, Fairhaven Capital

Previously Senior Manager of Corporate Development at Microsoft
Co-Chair, New England Venture Network (NEVN)
Member of Board of Directors, Surge Trading, Inc.

MODERATED BY:

Janet Kraus - Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Harvard University

Co-Founder and CEO, Spire
Co-founder and CEO of Circles (acquired by Sodexho Alliance)
Finalist: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2003)
Past recipient: Boston Business Journal Top 40 under 40

Venue:

Microsoft New England R&D Center (Cambridge, MA)

View video clip

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Nov. 17, 2010, 12noon

FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS - ADVANCED CLASS

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

Topic Expert:

David Fogel - Principal, Swifton CFOs

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Nov. 16, 2010, 12noon

START-ME-UP LEGAL ADVICE LUNCH SERIES FOR COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURS

Part 2: Intellectual Property for Startups

This program will provide you with insight into intellectual property law and practical advice on what you can do now to protect your IP and what you should be planning to do as your start-up develops and grows.

This FREE lunch series is presented by The Capital Network, Stay-in-MA, and Pepper Hamilton LLP.

Topic Experts:

Robin Lockwood – Senior Associate, Flybridge Capital

Kate Castle – VP of Marketing, Flybridge Capital

Robert Chow – Partner, Pepper Hamilton, LLP

Hosted by:

Pepper Hamilton LLP

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Nov. 9, 2010, 7:30am to 5:30pm

TCN VENTURE FAST TRACK

Topics & Agenda:

see TCN Venture Fast Track home page

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

View video clip

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Oct. 26, 2010, 8:00 - 9:00am

TCN life sciences Event

Life sciences licensing: Opportunities, Challenges and Traps for the Unwary

This TCN Life Sciences event will answer questions about Intellectual Property (IP) how early stage companies can negotiate and leverage interests in their intellectual property. We will discuss strategic development of IP assets and learn how these IP assets play a role in the value of a company and impact the success a company will have in its capital raising efforts.

IP broadly encompasses many different types of corporate assets, so 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. Hear from a panel of seasoned technology licensing officers, entrepreneurs, legal professionals and investors on the importance of strategically approaching IP ownership and deployment.

Panelists:

James McArthur – Chief Scientific Officer, Synovex Corporation

Wing Cheung Delatorre, MD - Head of Business Operations, Biogen Idec Innovation Incubator

Steve Gullans, PhD - Managing Director, Excel Venture Management

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Moderator:

Bob Creeden - Managing Partner, Partners Innovation Fund

Venue:

MGH - Richard B. Simches Research Center (Boston, MA)

Event Sponsors:

Partners Innovation Fund

Charles River Insurance

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Oct. 21, 2010, 12noon

ANGEL & VENTURE TERM SHEETS

This limited seat members-only luncheon brings some of Boston’s most experienced attorneys to provide 2 hours of deep instruction to entrepreneurs struggling to understand the complexity of high growth investments. Sample terms sheets will be provided and analyzed. This program is a fantastic follow up opportunity to those attending the prior Financing Roundtable.

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

Topic Expert:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Oct. 12, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30am

ANGEL GROUP & VENTURE CAPITAL TERM SHEETS

As an entrepreneur, negotiating an Angel or Venture Capital term sheet can be a daunting task. This interactive roundtable discussion led by venture capitalists, angels, entrepreneurs and attorneys explains the critical common business and legal terms used in these term sheets. The roundtable also discusses common practices and pitfalls surrounding the use of term sheets and the current market terms for early stage angel and venture investments. Some sample term sheets will be reviewed and explained.

Panelists:

Andrew Paradise - Founder & CEO, AisleBuyer LLC

David Frankel – Managing Partner, Founder Collective

Deepak Sindwani – Principal, Bain Capital Ventures (slides)

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP (slides)

Moderator:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 29, 2010, 12noon

MOBILE APP OR MOBILE COMPANY?

This limited seat members-only luncheon explores the difference between creating a mobile application and a mobile company. Since many mobile apps are launched as side projects, at what stage of success do they justify forming a company? This expert lunch will feature a mobile entrepreneur and a VC, and will explore the difference between creating a mobile app and a mobile company, and the fundraising and liability implications for each.

Presented in Conjunction with:

MobileMonday - Boston

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

View video clip

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Sept. 28, 2010, 12noon

START-ME-UP LEGAL ADVICE LUNCH SERIES FOR COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURS

Part 1: Legal Overview for Startups

This program for will provide an initial understanding of the various company structures - including corporations, limited liability companies, sole proprietorship and partnerships - as well as other fundamental legal issues related to launching a new company, such as granting equity to founders and adopting critical employee and consulting agreements.

Attendance at this event is limited to students.

This FREE lunch series is presented by The Capital Network, Stay-in-MA, and Pepper Hamilton LLP.

Topic Experts:

Robin Lockwood – Senior Associate, Flybridge Capital

Kate Castle – VP of Marketing, Flybridge Capital

Robert Chow – Partner, Pepper Hamilton, LLP

Hosted by:

Flybridge Capital Stay-in-MA Program

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Sept. 22, 2010, 12noon

EQUITY COMPENSATION PRICING AND THE PERILS OF 409A

Topic Experts:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Michelle Basil - Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 7, 2010, 6:00 - 9:00pm

FUNDING OPTIONS:

What is the Right Path for You?

This panel-led program provides an essential overview of early stage capital sources including Angels, Angel Groups, Venture Capital, Bank Debt, Venture Debt, Grants, Strategic Partners and Bootstrapping approaches. Topics covered will include investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rates, control features, compliance requirements and the overall costs of capital from each such source.

Panelists:

Dan Allred – Senior Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Maggie Flanagan LeFlore – Managing Director, MedImmune Ventures, Inc. (slides)

Rob May – CEO & Founder of Backupify (slides)

Larry Nannis – Partner, Levine, Katz, Nannis & Solomon (slides)

Robin Lockwood – Senior Associate, Flybridge Capital (slides)

Christopher Mirabile – Managing Director, Race Point Capital (slides)

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP (slides)

Sponsored by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Aug. 11, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30am

CAN YOUR EAST COAST START-UP RAISE MONEY FROM WEST COAST VCs?

This special event provides information and advice on this critical topic from speakers live via video conference from Silicon Valley. Topics covered will highlight the verticals and markets that attract more West Coast capital, the consequences of raising West Coast capital when living on the East Coast, and typical terms to expect from a West Coast VC. Speakers will also provide advice on how to access West Coast capital and how to create and maintain networks.

Panelists:

Rob Seaver – Founder & CEO, Vivox

Phil Sanderson – Managing Director, IDG Ventures SF

Phyllis Gardner, MD – Partner, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures

Alan Kalin - Partner, Bingham McCutchen (Silicon Valley Office)

Mike Conza - Partner, Bingham McCutchen (Boston Office)

Moderator:

Ryan Moore – Partner, GrandBanks Capital (slides)

Venue:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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July 28, 2010, 12noon

DEBT FINANCING FOR STARTUPS

Topic Expert:

Brad Holt - Silicon Valley Bank

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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July 14, 2010, 12noon

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR LIQUIDITY

This limited seat luncheon will highlight financial planning for liquidity and wealth management for entrepreneurs. Highlighted topics will include current changes in Estate tax rules, structuring your corporate ownership to minimize liabilities, and potential changes in income and capital gain rates that could impact your financial plans. The lunch will also highlight what is happening now in the markets and global economy that entrepreneurs should be aware of when creating financial plans.

Topic Expert:

Andrew Parvey - The Crudale Parvey Group

Venue:

Merrill Lynch (TCN Industry Supporter)

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June 29, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30am

PREPARING FOR GROWTH & EXIT DURING FUNDRAISING

Always start with an exit in mind. This roundtable offers individual perspectives from a Boston-area founder, investor, and lawyer on critical factors in creating a successful company and planning for a valuable exit event. This interactive discussion will also address the legal logistics, timetables, regulatory challenges and pitfalls to avoid as you approach your exit. You'll learn a spectrum of options to help you navigate through your path to success in growing your New England startup.

Speakers:

Roger Walton - General Partner, Castille Ventures (slides)

Tom Cibotti - Managing Director, Covington Associates (slides)

Murat V. Kalayoglu, MD, PhD - Founder & CSO, HealthHonors

Moderator:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP (slides)

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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June 22, 2010, 12noon

PRACTICAL START-UP, FUNDING AND VENTURE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

This limited seat luncheon at the new Venture Development Center at UMass Boston provides attendees an overview of new venture start-up and planning considerations oriented to those contemplating a venture as well as existing business owners. Topics will include the entrepreneurial lifestyle, feasibility, business strategy, financing, business resources, and strategies for navigating the current economic environment. You will have the opportunity to ask specific questions about your venture.

This lunch will be led by Mark Allio, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network at UMass Boston, a former strategy consultant, non-profit administrator, and entrepreneur. Joining Mark will be William Brah, Founder and Executive Director of the Venture Development Center, Boston’s new business incubator.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Mark Allio - Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network at UMass Boston

Hosted by:

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network at UMass Boston

June 16, 2010, 7:30am to 5:30pm

TCN VENTURE FAST TRACK

Topics & Agenda:

see TCN Venture Fast Track home page

Venue:

Nutter McClennen Fish (TCN Venture Coaching Program Sponsor)

View video clip

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June 9, 2010, 12noon

UNDERSTANDING D&O INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS

This session will help attendees understand what (if any) D&O insurance and indemnification agreements are in place for their protection and learn how they and their investors are exposed from a personal level. We will review claim scenarios and corporate indemnification policies, and provide a basic overview of D&O insurance including critical “state of the art” coverage provisions for dealing with this risk.

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

Topic Expert:

Steve Schoenberger - Account Executive, Mason & Mason (slides)

Venue:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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May 19, 2010, 12 noon

WHEN IS VENTURE CAPITAL RIGHT FOR YOUR EARLY STAGE COMPANY

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Dina Routhier - Principal, Massachusetts Technology Development Corp.

Hosted by:

Massachusetts Technology Development Corp. (TCN Silver Sponsor)

May 12, 2010, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Cleantech capital:

EARLY STAGE CAPITAL FOR CLEANTECH COMPANIES

A Special Event Sponsored by Bingham McCutchen LLP

Wind, solar, waste-to-energy, geothermal, biofuels, smart-grid, carbon-emissions capture and storage – How Active is it? Who is in investing and got investment? Is it Angel, VC, large utilities, software giants or Government that is investing? Explore the available early stage capital funding options for CleanTech startups in New England and learn what it takes to successfully attract capital from Boston-area funding sources.

Panelists:

Philip Giudice – Commissioner, Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources

David Kopans – Co-Founder and CFO, EnergyClimate Solutions

Dave Power – President, Power Strategy

Bard Salmon – Chairman of the Board, Perillon Software, Inc.

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP (slides)

Sponsored by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Apr. 28, 2010, 12 noon

UNDERSTANDING EQUITY COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation arrangements and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs.

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

Topic Expert:

Michael Conza – Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

Apr. 22, 2010, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Networking for Fundraising Success

A Special Event from TCN and IEEE ENET

A special networking event organized by The Capital Network (TCN) and the Boston Entrepreneurs' Network (ENET) focused on the power of networking during the fundraising process. This special networking event brings together the Boston area's top Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and Strategic Partners for an evening of wine, food, and more important of all, networking generously hosted by Foley Hoag Emerging Enterprise Center.

Keynote Speaker:

Brian Halligan - Founder & CEO, HubSpot

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Apr. 13, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30 am

BUILDING A FUNDABLE TEAM

It is an oft repeated truism that angels and venture capital firms invest in teams more than they invest in ideas and technologies.This roundtable will provide investors’ perspectives on this dilemma, along with a discussion of other team-related topics, such as:

- What is a founder’s role on the management team?

- Is the current team complete enough for the stage of the company?

- Does the current team need someone to play an interim role to fill in a critical need?

- At what stage of the company growth would it be appropriate to have a management reorg?

Speakers:

Glenn Champagne - Member, Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Dr. Omar Amirana, MD - Partner, Oxford Bioscience Partners (slides)

Sarah McIlroy - Founder & CEO, Fashion Playtes

Moderator:

Brent Larlee - Managing Director, WaiHaka Strategies

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Apr. 8, 2010, 12 noon

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE MOBILE ECOSYSTEM

To be successful in the mobile business, every start-up needs to build partnerships with large companies such as mobile operators, handset vendors and/or infrastructure suppliers. A great strategic partnership can accelerate a company’s growth by expanding market reach and adding distribution muscle and brand credibility; a bad one can bleed a young company dry.

This lunch will be led by Eric Giler, currently CEO of Witricity and formerly of Groove Mobile, a seasoned entrepreneur who has led multiple businesses in the mobile and telecom spaces, and who has built many successful partnerships in the mobile ecosystem, learning many lessons along the way.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Walt Doyle - President & CEO of Where (slides)

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Mar. 31, 2010, 7:30 - 9:00 am

TCN life sciences Event:

Making Medicine Personal

Health care today is becoming more and more personal. Each of us does, or will have, our own electronic medical record and soon we will be able to reach into the "cloud" to see and share images taken to diagnose our conditions and reports from the health care professional. What it all means to you as a patient is that you will have more of a say in how to manage your health from both a quality of care and a cost of care. Join us as a panel of experts comprised of entrepreneurs, who have started companies that address these issues, individuals from large companies who are already involved in "making medicine personal", and investors who believe this opportunity could be the "next big thing" speak to the future direction, strategies and opportunities that lie ahead in this evolving market.

Panelists:

Enrico Picozza – Venture Partner, HLM Venture Partners

Hamid Tabatabaie - CEO, Life Image

Mara G. Aspinall - President & CEO, On-Q-ity, Inc.

Dr. Raju Kucherlapati - Scientific Director - Harvard Medical School-Partners HealthCare Center for Genetics and Genomics

Moderator:

Bob Creeden - Managing Partner, Partners Innovation Fund

Venue:

MGH - Richard B. Simches Research Center (Boston, MA)

Event Sponsors:

Partners Innovation Fund

Charles River Insurance

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Mar. 24, 2010, 12 noon

STRUCTURING FOUNDER EQUITY & RELATIONSHIPS

This limited seat luncheon provides attendees invaluable information on structuring founder equity to avoid the pitfalls that can harm a company's ability to attract investment capital.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP (slides)

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Mar. 18, 2010, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Special event from TiE-Win & TCN:

FIRESIDE CHAT with Karen Miller

Come hear the war stories of a successful serial entrepreneur and "Rising Star" CEO Karen Miller of www.DoInk.com, a Web2.0 company that provides drawing & animation tools. In 18 months, the company has grown their site to 100,000 plus users.

Karen majored in English & Political Science at the University of Richmond in Virginia in 1978. Fell in love with high tech when working in the marketing department of a small CADD (Computer Aided Design Drafting) company in Baltimore. Got the entrepreneurial bug and was hired as Director of Sales & Marketing (as the 3rd employee) at West End Film, a pioneer in PC based animation. They grew & sold West End Film to Pansophic Systems for $6 million & due to that success was recruited to Boston to become Director of Marketing for Number Nine Computer Graphics.

While at Number Nine,Karen met three engineers & with them, co-founded DOME imaging systems, a market leading medical imaging technology company in 1988. Having bootstrapped DOME for 2 and a half years and working as a waitress to get the company off the ground, Karen eventually Angel financed and later sold the company in 2002 to Planar Systems returning $70 million to shareholders on a $2 million investment.

Not one to retire, she co-founded www.doink.com two years ago with one of her former DOME business partners. DoInk is a Web 2.0 site that provides on line drawing & animation tools. Come hear the her story and network with an entreprising group at this event....

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Mar. 10, 2010, 12 noon

COMPANY VALUATION METRICS AND ANALYSIS

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Handout: Negotiation and Valuation - Key Concepts

Topic Experts:

Michael Conza – Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC

Event Sponsor:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Feb. 25, 2010, 12 noon

ACCESSING SBA LOANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

This limited seat luncheon discusses how to access U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for small businesses. SBA loans are administered by and delivered through commercial lending institutions, and are a viable funding option for many qualified Boston-area small businesses. Come join lending experts from First Commons Bank as they discuss SBA loans and provide answers to some commonly-asked questions about the SBA loan program, including: how to access SBA loans, whether they are right for your business, and what is needed to successfully apply for an SBA loan.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Tony Nuzzo - Chairman, President & CEO, First Commons Bank

Hosted by:

First Commons Bank (TCN Silver Sponsor)

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Feb. 9, 2010, 12 noon

LEVERAGING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE FINANCING PROCESS

What To Expect When You’re Fundraising

The state of the economy has created uncertain times for entrepreneurs. While starting a company in this environment certainly has its benefits (particularly in terms of the available pool of talent), fundraising is a lot more challenging. As you look to satisfy your capital needs, you will need to be creative in searching out funding sources, including leveraging business relationships and contacts to uncover possible leads for financing your startup. This limited-seat lunch will give you a perspective on what you can expect from the Boston-area angel groups, VCs and debt providers. We’ll have a representative from each of these sources of capital to give an overview on what it’s like out there and to answer the questions you may have.

Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors in New England to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process for Boston-area startups.

Topic Expert:

Pete McDonald - Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Jan. 27, 2010, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

NEGOTIATION & VALUATION

Speakers:

Bettina Hein - Founder and CEO, Pixability, Inc.

Bard Salmon - Chairman of the Board, Perillon Software

Ryan Moore - Founder & General Partner, Grand Banks Capital

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen (slides)

Event Sponsor:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Jan. 21, 2010, 12 noon

ACCOUNTING 101 FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Early stage entrepreneurs often need help understanding complex accounting issues - particularly those that affect the ability to raise capital. This compact, in-depth session, led by some of the Boston area’s premier accountants, help entrepreneurs navigate potential roadblocks to fundraising due to accounting issues. Topics will be defined interactively, and may include impact of business model choice on cash flow, when and how to hire financial personnel, accounting tracking methods and developing credible financial projections. This session is designed for both entrepreneurial founders, CEOs and CFOs.

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

Topic Expert:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Venue:

Wolf & Co. (TCN Platinum Sponsor)

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Jan. 12, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30 am

PITCHING A BUSINESS PLAN

Early stage ventures seeking investment need to know how to target, locate, approach and close with venture capitalists, angels and strategic investors. Through an interactive panel discussion with leading New England entrepreneurs, attendees learn how to maximize their chances of identifying the right investors and securing the capital they need to grow their business. Attendees learn how to create an "Elevator Pitch" and what to include in their "Investment Deck".

Speakers:

Phil Cooper - Member, Boston Harbor Angels (slides)

Laura Fitton - Founder & CEO, oneforty inc.

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (slides)

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Dec. 8, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30 am

TCN WOMEN's BREAKFAST:

HOW TO BUILD AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM FOR WOMEN IN GREATER BOSTON

Folks all over New England are looking back at our heritage of being one of the most successful areas of the country for entrepreneurship and realizing that the path for the future is very different. What about women’s entrepreneurship?

How are the rules of the road changing and what types of support systems do we all need to build together to drive this future?

How can leaders in the last decade work together to mentor entrepreneurs, provide CEO support, collaborate on early stage financing, and architect the new road map for women-led ventures?

Come hear two successful women talk about their incredible journey creating start-up businesses and join discussions on how women can help women in start-ups:

Speakers:

Maria Cirino – Co-Founder & Managing Director, .406 Ventures

– Co-founder of Guardent (acquired by Verisign)

– Past recipient: Massachusetts CEO of the Year award

– Past recipient: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award

Janet Kraus – Co-Founder & CEO, Spire

– Co-founder & CEO of Circles (acquired by Sodexho Alliance)

– Finalist: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2003)

– Past recipient: Boston Business Journal Top 40 under 40

Moderator:

Jean Hammond – Serial Entrepreneur (AXON, Quarry Technologies)

– Member: Hub Angels, Launchpad Ventures, Golden Seeds

Participating Organizations:

see event flyer for details (downloadable PDF file)

Venue:

Microsoft R&D Center (Cambridge, MA)

Download presentation

View video clip

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Dec. 2, 2009, 12 noon

UNDERSTANDING THE DILUTION IMPACT OF EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT

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

Topic Expert & Sponsor Host:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (handout)

Venue:

Gray, Gray & Gray (TCN Silver Sponsor)

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Dec. 1, 2009, 12 noon

ANGEL & VENTURE TERM SHEETS

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

Topic Expert:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP (slides)

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Nov. 13, 2009, 8:00 - 10:00 am

RAISING CAPITAL FROM FRIENDS & FAMILY

A TCN University Series event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

Tapping personal ties to raise cash for a company that's either too new or too small to get financing elsewhere is an age-old formula that still makes sense. Friends & Family often provide funds quicker and on more favorable terms than third party investors, but such investments can also be riddled with hazards and pitfalls. Come listen to our expert panel of investors, entrepreneurs and experts who can provide needed advice as you navigate your personal capital community.

Introduction & Opening Remarks:

Yumin Choi - HLM Venture Partners

Discussion Moderator:

Robert Chow - Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP

Speakers:

George Nichols - President & CEO, Sonian, Inc.

Rob Go - Senior Associate, Spark Capital

Gretchen Davidsen - Founder, Family Enterprise Services Consortium

Event Sponsor:

Pepper Hamilton, LLP

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Nov. 12, 2009, 12noon

ANGEL & VENTURE TERM SHEETS

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

Topic Expert:

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Nov. 3, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30 am

ANGEL GROUP & VENTURE CAPITAL TERM SHEETS

Panelists:

Elon Boms – Partner, LaunchCapital LLC (slides)

Neill Occhiogrosso - Principal, Highland Capital Partners (slides)

Paul Sweeney – Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Moderator:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Oct. 28, 2009, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Networking for Fundraising Success

A Special Event from TCN and NEVCA

A special event organized by the The Capital Network (TCN) and New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA) brings together the area's top Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and Strategic Partners for an evening of wine, food, and more important of all, networking.

Keynote Speaker:

Lee Hower – Principal, Point Judith Capital (& founding member of LinkedIn)

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Oct. 21, 2009, 12 noon

FUNDING THROUGH IP LICENSING

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

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Oct. 19, 2009, 7:00 - 9:30 pm

TCN & MOBILEMONDAYS EVENT:

MAKING THE MOBILE MONEY FLOW

The mobile industry provides opportunities to generate substantial revenue. However, the flows of money are often fragmented and involve many different parties and diverse revenue shares. At this event, we'll break down the financial side of the mobile app ecosystem with a step-by-step examination of app stores, OEMs, and carriers. Some of the territory we'll cover includes distribution through the app stores, app aggregator services, and direct carrier distribution for free and paid apps.

Discussion Moderator:

Todd Hixon - Founder & Managing Partner - New Atlantic Ventures

Speakers:

Steve Krom - VP & GM of AT&T Mobility, New England Region

Mike Kirkup - Director for Developer Relations at Research in Motion

Doug Hurd - Director of Business Development, uLocate Communications

Venue:

The Place (Boston, MA)

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Oct. 16, 2009, 8:00 - 10:00 am

TCN & MITX EVENT:

RAISING CAPITAL FOR YOUR MOBILE DIGITAL MEDIA COMPANY

Raising capital in today's economy is a no easy feat. And especially, for mobile technologists, and those who invest in them, there are special factors to consider. Brought to you by TCN and MITX, this is a don't miss event for mobile entrepreneurs and venture capitalists!

Our panel of technologists who have successful raised capital in the current conditions and venture capitalists who have recently funded mobile companies will discuss investment opportunities and challenges in the digital media space.

Speakers:

David Beisel - Vice President, Venrock Investments

Ryan Moore - General Partner, GrandBanks Capital

Devkumar Gandhi - Founder and CEO, NEXAGE, Inc.

Dan Smith - CEO, go2 Media

Moderator:

Brian Shin - Founder & CEO, Visible Measures

Venue:

Microsoft R&D Center (Cambridge, MA)

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Oct. 7, 2009, 12 noon

DEBT FINANCING FOR STARTUPS

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

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Oct. 1, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30 am

Life science licensing: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND TRAPS FOR THE UNWARY

This TCN Life Sciences event highlights how to approach negotiating and leveraging interests in intellectual property. Hear from a panel of seasoned technology licensing officers, entrepreneurs, legal professionals and investors on the importance of strategically approaching IP ownership and deployment.

Panelists:

Scott Requadt - Transactional Partner, Clarus Ventures

Leslie Williams - CEO, Life Sciences Start-Up

Frances Toneguzzo, PhD - Executive Director, Research Ventures & Licensing, MGH

Erik Halvorsen, PhD - Director of Technology and Business Development, Technology & Innovation Development Office, Children's Hospital Boston

Moderator:

John Dellapa - Member, Corporate Practice, Mintz Levin

Venue:

Mintz Levin (TCN Special Events Sponsor)

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Sept. 22, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30 am

BUILDING A HIGH GROWTH BUSINESS FOR ANGEL AND VENTURE CAPITAL

Only a select few early-stage companies will have what it takes to get growth capital from outside investors. This session will outline some of the characteristics of fundable companies - from business plan fundamentals to rule-of-thumb metrics used by angel and venture capital investors.

Panelists:

Eliot Katzman – Partner, Commonwealth Capital (slides)

Stuart Nixdorff – President and COO, Newton Peripherals (slides)

Chuck Goldman – Co-Founder & CEO, Apperian

Tim Curran - CEO, Vela Systems (slides)

Moderator:

Pete McDonald – Relationship Manager at Silicon Valley Bank

Venue:

Emerging Enterprise Center at Foley Hoag (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 16, 2009, 12 noon

EQUITY COMPENSATION PRICING AND THE PERILS OF 409A

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation issues and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs. If you are a CEO or a CFO of a high growth startup, this is your chance to join an expert panel from Wolf & Co., one of the area’s premier accounting firms, to discuss the issues confronting your use of stock, options, SARs, and other equity compensation plans.

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

Topic Expert:

Scott Goodwin, CPA - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co., P.C.

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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September 8, 2009, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

FUNDING OPTIONs

This panel-led program provides an essential overview of early stage capital sources including Angels, Angel Groups, Venture Capital, Bank Debt, Venture Debt, Grants, Strategic Partners and Bootstrapping approaches. Topics covered will include investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rates, control features, compliance requirements and the overall costs of capital from each such source.

Panelists:

Bob Kispert – Director, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (slides)

Dan Allred - Senior Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Tim O'Loughlin – Managing Director, Sempre Management (slides)

Andy Clapp – Managing Partner, Arctaris (slides)

Lucy McQuilken - Director, Intel Capital (slides)

Matthew Witheiler – Sr. Associate, Flybridge Capital Partners (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (slides)

Venue:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Aug. 12, 2009, 12 noon

RED FLAGS IN FINANCIAL MODELS THAT SCARE OFF INVESTORS

This limited seat luncheon provides CEOs and CFOs of early stage ventures insight into revenue and expense recognition issues in financial models that can make or break outside investment opportunities in their ventures!

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

Topic Expert:

Jim Deleo, MBA, CPA, MST - Partner, Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP (slides)

Venue:

Gray, Gray, & Gray, LLP (TCN Silver Sponsor)

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July 29, 2009, 12 noon

UNDERSTANDING D&O INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS

This session will help attendees understand what (if any) D&O insurance and indemnification agreements are in place for their protection and learn how they and their investors are exposed from a personal level. We will review claim scenarios and corporate indemnification policies, and provide a basic overview of D&O insurance including critical “state of the art” coverage provisions for dealing with this risk.

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

Topic Expert & Sponsor Host:

Steve Schoenberger - Account Executive, Mason & Mason (slides)

Venue:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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July 14, 2009, 12 noon

UNDERSTANDING THE DILUTION IMPACT OF EARLY STAGE INVESTMENT

This working group lunch, moderated by one of Boston’s leading experts in the field, will first help you build your own capitalization table in a simple but powerful spreadsheet format and will then explain, indetail, how to use this tool to understand the dilutive impact of stock options, restricted stock, early stage angel or venture capital investment, “down-rounds”, anti-dilution provisions and other similar events. In today’s difficult investment climate, entrepreneurs should have the maximum understanding of the impact of a proposed financing – before they talk to investors. This session will not only explain terms like “pre-money valuation”, “fully diluted equity”, “option pool”, “percentage ownership,” “weighted average anti-dilution”, “full ratchet anti-dilution” and “per share price” – but will show you the exact numerical consequences of these difficult negotiating points.

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

Topic Expert & Sponsor Host:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (handout)

Venue:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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June 17, 2009, 12 noon

TAX IMPLICATIONS OF EARLY STAGE FINANCING

As a new entrepreneur, income taxes may seem like the least of your worries right now. But many of the decisions you’re making could have significant tax implications in the future. Whether it’s carrying over net operating losses, maximizing research and development credits, understanding the tax treatment of different equity compensation or planning for an exit event, the issues can be complex. In this highly interactive limited-seating luncheon,Tax Implications of Early Stage Financing, attendees set the agenda so that Wolf & Company tax experts can spend the time to answering their specific questions.

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

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., PC (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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June 9, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30 am

NON-Dilutive Capital alternatives

Wondering if there are funding options for your start-up other than Venture Capital? This lively panel discussion explores the various alternative financing options for companies; including convincing your customers to fund your company, and SBIR funding.

Speakers:

RJ Bee - Director Energy & Environment, Hattaway Communications (slides)

Stuart Haber - President & CEO, Infoscitex Corp. (slides)

Garrett Knight - President & CEO, CloseHauled Strategies, LLC

Rob Spalding - Business Development Officer, PENSCO Trust Co. (slides)

Moderator:

Dina Routhier - Principal, Massachusetts Technology Development Corp.

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May 21, 2009, 12:30pm to 2:00pm

SPONSORED LUNCH: VENTURE SUMMIT EAST - OPENING DAY

The Capital Network (TCN), together with Foley Hoag, LLP sponsored the opening day lunch on May 21st for attendees to the 2008 Venture Summit East held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston, MA from May 20-22.

Lunch Co-Sponsor:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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May 13, 2009, 12 noon

EQUITY COMPENSATION PRICING AND THE PERILS OF 409A

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation issues and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs. If you are a CEO or a CFO of a high growth startup, this is your chance to join an expert panel from Levine Katz Nannis & Solomon, one of the area’s premier accounting firms, to discuss the issues confronting your use of stock, options, SARs, and other equity compensation plans.

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

Hosted by:

Levine, Katz, Nannis & Solomon, PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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May 5, 2009, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Cleantech capital:

Exporing Angel, VC, Strategic and Government Funding Options

A Special Event Sponsored by Bingham McCutchen LLP

Wind, solar, waste-to-energy, geothermal, biofuels, smart-grid, carbon-emissions capture and storage -- whatever the form, CleanTech is active. Angels want in, VCs want in, large utilities and software giants want in, even the Government wants in! Explore the available funding options with a panel of experts and learn how to successfully attract the early stage capital you need for your CleanTech startup.

Panelists:

David Kopans - CFO, EnergyClimate Solutions

Jon Karlen - General Partner, Flybridge Capital Partners

Linda Plano, PhD - Associate Director, Mass. Technology Transfer Center

Bard Salmon – Chairman & CEO, Perillon Software

David Verrill – Founder and Managing Director, Hub Investment Group

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen LLP

Sponsored by:

Bingham McCutchen LLP (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Apr. 28, 2009, 12 noon

WHEN IS VENTURE CAPITAL RIGHT FOR YOUR EARLY STAGE COMPANY?

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides entrepreneurs tips into what their company must look like to be appropriate for venture capital funding.

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

Hosted / Sponsored by:

Massachusetts Technology Development Corp (MTDC)

Apr. 2, 2009, 12:00 noon

CRITICAL DOS AND DON'TS IN STARTING YOUR VENTURE

A TCN University Series Expert Lunch event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

An Expert Lunch hosted by Fish & Richardson P.C. to discuss critical issues in forming new ventures. This hands-on program is designed for both undergraduate and graduate level students who have recently started, or who are actively considering starting, an entrepreneurial venture.

Speakers:

Gene Barton - Principal, Fish & Richardson P.C.

Wade Kirshy - Associate, Fish & Richardson P.C.

Hosted By:

Fish & Richardson P.C. (TCN University Series Sponsor)

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Mar. 18, 2009, 12 noon

UNDERSTANDING EQUITY COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation arrangements and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs.

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

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

Mar. 11, 2009, 7:30 - 10:00 am

FUNDING FOR YOUR STARTUP LIFE SCIENCES COMPANY

A Special Event from Mintz Levin and Partners Innovation Fund

Targeted at physicians, innovators or entrepreneurs who have a commercial idea that might be a start-up and wondering how to get funding for their life sciences or medtech initiative, this special event features a discussion moderated by Bill Whelan, Co-Chair of Mintz Levin's Life Sciences Group, and partiticipation from panelists selected from a spectrum of entrepreneurs and investors who know the criteria for making it -- from winning business plans to creating effective teams.

Speakers:

Cat Oyler - Sr. Director, Emerging Technologies, Johnson and Johnson

Bonnie Fendrock - President & CEO, Hepregen Corporation

Abi Barrow - Director at Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center

Doug Cole, MD - General Partner, Flagship Ventures

Richard Anders - Founder and Managing Director, MA2 (MA Medical Angels); Founder, LaunchPad Venture Group; Founder and Managing Director, Rubin/Anders Scientific, Inc.

Moderator:

Bill Whelan - Co-Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group, Mintz Levin

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February 25 , 2009, 12 noon

Revenue Recognition FOR EARLY STAGE VENTURES

This limited seat luncheon provides CEOs and CFOs of early stage ventures insight into revenue recognition issues in financial models that can make or break outside investment opportunities in their ventures! Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Levine, Katz, Nannis & Solomon, PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Feb. 18, 2009, 12 noon

LEVERAGING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE FINANCING PROCESS

What To Expect When You’re Fundraising

The state of the economy has created uncertain times for entrepreneurs. While starting a company in this environment certainly has its benefits (particularly in terms of the available pool of talent), fundraising is a lot more challenging. As you look to satisfy your capital needs, you will need to be creative in searching out funding sources, including leveraging business relationships and contacts to uncover possible leads for financing your startup. This limited-seat lunch will give you a perspective on what you can expect from the angel groups, VCs and debt providers. We’ll have a representative from each of these sources of capital to give an overview on what it’s like out there and to answer the questions you may have.

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

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Premium Sponsor)

Feb. 10, 2009, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

NEGOTIATION & VALUATION

Speakers:

Bard Salmon - Chairman of the Board, Perillon Software

Eric Spitz - CFO, Narragansett Beer Company

Bill McCullen - Director, LaunchCapital LLC Boston

Moderator:

Matt Cushing - Partner, Bingham McCutchen (slides)

Event Sponsor:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Jan. 28, 2009, 12 noon

ACCOUNTING 101 FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Early stage entrepreneurs often need help understanding complex accounting issues - particularly those that affect the ability to raise capital. This compact, in-depth session, led by some of the area’s premier accountants, help entrepreneurs navigate potential roadblocks to fundraising due to accounting issues. Topics will be defined interactively, and may include impact of business model choice on cash flow, when and how to hire financial personnel, accounting tracking methods and developing credible financial projections. This session is designed for both entrepreneurial founders, CEOs and CFOs.

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

Hosted by:

Wolf & Company, PC (TCN Premium Sponsor)

Jan. 22, 2009, 8:00 - 10:00 am

UNDERSTANDING ANGEL INVESTING

A TCN University Series event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

This interactive breakfast panel provides attendees with critical information on the Angel Investment market for high growth technology and life science companies. This University Series plan features members of Boston’s most prominent Angel groups, and successful Entrepreneurs.

Panelists:

Ham Lord - Managing Director, Launchpad Venture Group

Yumin Choi - HLM Venture Partners

Sheryl Schultz - Managing Director, Golden Seeds

Paul Hartung - President & CEO, Neuroptix

Moderator:

Gene Barton - Principal, Fish & Richardson, P.C.

Introduction and Opening Remarks:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors

Event Sponsor:

Fish & Richardson P.C. (TCN University Series Sponsor)

Listen to Podcast !!!

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January 13, 2009, 7:30-9:30 am

Building A FUNDABLE Team

It is an oft repeated truism that angels and venture capital firms invest in teams more than they invest in ideas and technologies. This roundtable will provide investors’ perspectives on this dilemma, along with a discussion of other team-related topics, such as:

- What is a founder’s role on the management team?
- Is there a right time is to bring in “professional” management?
- What are industry norms for management team compensation?

Panelists:

Beth A.Marcus - CTO & SVP, Zeemote

Jim Woodward - Member, Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Claire Wadlington - Partner & CFO, FA Tech Ventures (slides)

Moderator:

Jerry Bird - VP, Massachusetts Technology Development Corp.

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Jan. 08, 2009, 12 noon

FUNDING THROUGH IP LICENSING

This limited seat members-only luncheon helps you explore whether your IP portfolio could be licensed to add cash to your business. The discussion will also touch on the advantages and pitfalls of licensing as well as the various kinds of licensing possibilities. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Premium Sponsor)

Dec. 11, 2008, 12 noon

ANGEL & VENTURE TERM SHEETS

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Dec. 3, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am

ANGEL GROUP & VENTURE CAPITAL TERM SHEETS

As an entrepreneur, negotiating an Angel or Venture Capital term sheet can be a daunting task. This interactive roundtable discussion led by venture capitalists, angels, entrepreneurs and attorneys explains the critical common business and legal terms used in these term sheets. The roundtable also discusses common practices and pitfalls surrounding the use of term sheets and the current market terms for early stage angel and venture investments. Some sample term sheets will be reviewed and explained.

Panelists:

Dave Broadwin - Partner, Foley Hoag LLP (slides)

Graham Brooks - Associate, .406 Ventures (slides)

Bill McPhee - Member, Boston Harbor Angels

Moderator:

Dan Clevenger - Associate, Foley Hoag, LLP

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Dec. 3 , 2008, 12:00 noon

IP Issues in raising angel & venture capital

A TCN University Series Expert Lunch event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

An Expert Lunch hosted by Fish & Richardson P.C. on Intellectual Property Issues in raising Angel and Venture Capital. This limited-seat lunch event is designed to help entrepreneurs understand the intellectual property issues that can accelerate or derail an early stage fundraising process.

Hosted By:

Fish & Richardson P.C. (TCN University Series Sponsor)

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Nov. 19, 2008, 12 noon

DEBT FINANCING FOR STARTUPS

This limited seat luncheon discusses how to use sophisticated debt instruments to leverage company equity and reduce dilution. Topics to be discussed include the types, costs and benefits of debt products for technology and life sciences start-ups, the prerequisites for negotiating and closing on a debt financing, and how to calculate the leverage, risk and returns on your equity. The lunch will also include tips on how to form relationships with lenders before you actually need the cash. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Nov. 11, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am

PITCHING THE PLAN FOR ANGEL & VENTURE CAPITAL

Early stage ventures seeking investment need to know how to target, locate, approach and close with venture capitalists, angels and strategic investors. Through an interactive panel discussion with an entrepreneur and leading area entrepreneurs, attendees learn how to maximize their chances of identifying the right investors and securing the capital they need to grow their business. Attendees learn how to create an "Elevator Pitch" and what to include in their "Investment Deck".

Panelists:

Chad Jackson - General Partner, IncTank Ventures

Skip Besthoff - General Partner, Castile Ventures (slides)

Steve Bollinger - President & COO, Pervasis Therapeutics (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC

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Nov. 6, 2008, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

FUNDING EXPEDITION MIXER

A special event organized by the The Capital Network (TCN) Funding Expedition program to provide a venue for networking between entrepreneurs and investors.

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Oct. 28, 2008, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Networking for Fundraising Success

A Special Event from TCN and NEVCA

A special event organized by the The Capital Network (TCN) and New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA) to bring together the area's top Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors and Strategic Partners for an evening of wine, food, and more important of all, networking. Silicon Valley style, this event is the ideal place for investors and entrepreneurs to interact and uncover amazing opportunities.

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Oct. 15, 2008, 12 noon

RAISING GROWTH CAPITAL WITHOUT TRIPPING OVER ACCOUNTING ISSUES

Designed for the entrepreneur CEO, this interactive lunch session with help you avoid some of the most common accounting pitfalls. Learn the most important terms in the language of accounting, understand the basic financial statements and their interplay and go over the most critical “dos” and “don’ts” when presenting forecasts. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Wolf & Co., P.C. (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Oct. 14, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am

BUILDING A HIGH GROWTH BUSINESS FOR ANGEL AND VENTURE CAPITAL

Only a select few early-stage companies will have what it takes to get growth capital from outside investors. This session will outline some of the characteristics of fundable companies - from business plan fundamentals to rule-of-thumb metrics used by angel and venture capital investors.

Panelists:

Jim Lucchese - CEO, The Echo Nest

Toby LaVigne - CEO, HubCast (slides)

Rudina Seseri - Senior Associate, Fairhaven Capital

George Simmons - Member, Launchpad Venture Group - Boston, MA & Cherrystone Angel Group - Providence, RI (slides)

Moderator:

Scott Goodwin - Member of the Firm, Wolf & Co.

Event Sponsor:

Wolf & Co. (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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Oct. 1, 2008, 12 noon

FOUNDER EQUITY ISSUES

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides invaluable information on addressing Founder equity issues to avoid the pitfalls that can reduce the value of the enterprise to the Founders and harm a company's ability to attract investment capital. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

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Sept. 25, 2008, 8:00 - 10:00 am

Fundable High Growth Business Models for Web 2.0 Companies

A TCN University Series event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

Venture Capitalists (VCs), Angel Investors and successful Entrepreneurs discuss what makes a Web 2.0 company well positioned to attract Angel or Venture Capital. The interactive session provides attendees with essential guidance about strong business models and critical value propositions likely to lead to fundraising success in the current financing environment.

Panelists:

Matt Cuttler - VP of Marketing & Analytics, Visible Measures

Lucinda Linde - Managing Director, Walnut Ventures

Chris Greendale - General Partner, Kodiak Venture Partners

Moderator:

Gene Barton - Principal, Fish & Richardson P.C.

Event Sponsor:

Fish & Richardson P.C. (TCN University Series Sponsor)

Listen to Podcast !!!

______________________________

Sept. 16, 2008, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

FUNDING OPTIONS

This panel led program provides an essential overview of early stage capital sources including Angels, Angel Groups, Venture Capital, Bank Debt, Venture Debt, Grants, Strategic Partners and Bootstrapping approaches. Topics covered will include investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rates, control features, compliance requirements and the overall costs of capital from each such source.

Panelists:

Dan Allred - Senior Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Dr. Abi Barrow - Director, Mass Technology Transfer Center (slides)

Dr. Andrew Jay - Managing Partner, Siemens Venture Healthcare (slides)

Larry Nannis - Partner, Levine Katz Nannis & Solomon PC (slides)

Tali Rapaport - Associate, Matrix Partners (slides)

David Verrill - Founder/Managing Director, Hub Angels

John Dellapa - Member, Mintz Levin (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - Managing Director, Evolution Advisors LLC (slides)

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Aug. 8 , 2008, 7:30am - 5:00 pm

SBIR / STTR Proposal writing workshop

Sponsored by Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) and National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA), in partnership with Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (WEST) and The Capital Network (TCN)

An eight-hour workshop for early-stage, first-time or unsuccessful writers of SBIR Phase I proposals that focuses on two areas key to winning SBIR funding: the work plan and the commercialization plan. This workshop explains how to integrate knowledge of the state-of-the-art with the work plan, and how to master requirements unique to different federal agencies.

Instructor:

Sharon C. Ballard, president and CEO of EnableVentures, Inc.

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June 25 , 2008, 6:30 - 10:00 pm

When More Than Money Is On The Line

John Crowley’s Story of Funding, Running & Selling
a Life Sciences Company

The challenges to raising capital and building a successful business are extraordinary to first time entrepreneurs as well as many seasoned entrepreneurs. For those in life sciences, the capital requirements — and the stakes — are high. No one knows this better than John Crowley, a Harvard Business school graduate and marketing executive who started Novazyme Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge MA. In a little over a year, he went from a small amount of start up capital from friends and family to capturing $27M from venture capitalists in an extraordinary race to develop a cure to treat Pompe disease. John’s passion to succeed did not come from his accountability to his board or investors but from his own family. Two of John’s young children had been diagnosed with Pompe disease and would not survive for long without treatment.

Within two years of its inception, John successfully sold Novazyme to Genzyme for $137.5M. More important, he moved the progress of clinical trials from fitful missed starts to reality. In doing so, in record time he achieved an outcome many entrepreneurs and their investors dream of.

John is now CEO of Amicus Therapeutics (which he brought to an IPO) and he has graciously offered to share his thoughts, lessons learned and experiences about funding, running and selling a life sciences company with The Capital Network’s community. John’s story is one that will resonate for entrepreneurs in any industry as well as those who run their businesses with a passion to make a difference. We warmly invite entrepreneurs, those who work with them, investors and anyone who is touched by John's story to join us for this remarkable evening.

Keynote Speaker:

John Crowley, CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, former founder and CEO of Novazyme

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May 22 , 2008, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Networking for Fundraising Success

A Special Event from TCN and NEVN

A special event organized by the The Capital Network (TCN) and New England Venture Network (NEVN) to bring together Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists, and Angel Investors for an evening of wine, food, and more important of all, networking. With introductory remarks by Don Dodge (serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and member of Microsoft's emerging business team) on the power and value of networking in the fundraising process.

Keynote Speaker:

Don Dodge – Investor, Entrepreneur and Head of Microsoft’s Emerging Business Team

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May 14, 2008, 12 noon

EQUITY COMPENSATION PRICING AND THE PERILS OF 409A

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees a deep dive into equity compensation issues and an opportunity to ask specific questions about your company’s needs. If you are a CEO or a CFO of a high growth startup, this is your chance to join an expert panel from Levine Katz Nannis & Solomon, one of the area’s premier accounting firms, to discuss the issues confronting your use of stock, options, SARs, and other equity compensation plans. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Levine, Katz, Nannis & Solomon, PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

______________________________

May 6, 2008, 7:30 - 9:00 am

Growth & Exits

Always start with an exit in mind. This roundtable offers a founder's, investor's and lawyer's perspective on critical factors in creating a successful company and planning for a valuable exit event. This interactive discussion will also address the legal logistics, timetables, regulatory challenges and pitfalls to avoid as you approach your exit. You'll learn a spectrum of options to help you navigate through your path to success.

Panelists:

Janet Kraus - Spires, Inc. and founder of Circles

Matt Nichols - Highland Capital Partners

Moderator:

Paul Sweeney - Foley Hoag, LLP

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Apr. 16 , 2008, 12 noon

Founder Equity Issues

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees invaluable information on structuring founder equity to avoid the pitfalls that can harm a company's ability to attract investment capital. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Apr. 8, 2008, 7:30 - 9:00 am

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Early Stage Companies can often be financed through various strategic alliances with vendors, customers, distributors, OEMs, VARs, universities, technology partners, or third parties with complementary products and services. This can be a great way to help build early technology and help an early stage company get through certain development milestones that can increase the likelihood of equity financing. The roundtable discusses benefits and burdens of funding your company through Strategic Partnerships and how to identify and make these relationships work for your Company.

Program Panelists:

Tom O'Donnell - TIAX LLC, formerly of Cisco

Alex Shah - GetSolo, Inc. (slides)

Moderator:

Pete McDonald - Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

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Apr. 7-9, 2008

Venture Summit East

A Special Event Co-Sponsored by TCN

Like its sister event in Silicon Valley, Venture Summit East is a two-day gathering that highlights the significant economic, political and technology trends impacting the global growth investor. Venture Summit East features the most influential institutional investors, venture capitalists, corporate buyers, investment bankers and research analysts in the Eastern US in keynote presentations and panel debates.

See: Venture Summit East for More Information and Agenda

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Apr. 1, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 am

How to Help Start a Company When You are a Doctor / Entrepreneur

A Special Event Sponsored by: Mintz Levin, Partners Innovation Fund, and Partners Research Accelerator Program

The special event presents a high level overview of the pros & cons of the various options for early stage MDs-turned-entrepreneurs. In this panel discussion, moderated by Bill Whelan of Mintz Levin, the panelists selected from a spectrum of entrepreneurs and investors will touch on the criteria for making it – from winning business plans to creating effective teams.

Moderator:

Bill Whelan - Co-Chair, Life Sciences Practice, Mintz Levin

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Mar. 19 , 2008, 12 noon

CRITICAL DEAL TERMS

This limited seat luncheon provides an in-depth examination of critical angel and venture capital financing terms that directly influence valuation, capital structure, Board composition and corporate control. Leading venture capital attorneys will explain terms dealing with anti-dilution protection, liquidation preference, drag-along rights and negative covenants.

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Mar. 11 , 2008, 7:30 - 9:00 am

Negotiation and Valuation

This program features an entrepreneur who has recently raised equity financing and who will use his experience as a case study in an interactive format to get you to collaborate to set his valuation and defend it. As in the past, this roundtable challenged (and amused) even the most experienced entrepreneur and investor, and provides the inside perspective needed to set valuation.

Program Panelists:

Bard Salmon - Perillon Software

Ben Saren - City Squares Online

Moderator:

Jerry Kehoe – Bingham McCutchen (slides)

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Mar. 6 , 2008, 8:00 - 10:00 am

Is Your Company Ready to Attract Growth Capital?

A Special Event from TCN and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College

At this event, the head of two of Boston’s major sources of early stage funding, and the CEO of an angel and venture backed software company, discuss what makes a company well positioned to attract Angel or Venture Capital. This esteemed panel leads an interactive session that provides attendees with essential guidance about which of today’s early stage ventures can be successful in the current fundraising environment.

Panelists:

Lou Volpe - Kodiak Venture Partners (slides)

Dan Von Kohorn - Beacon Angels (slides)

Ed Mallen - Time Trade Systems (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - Evolution Advisors (slides)

Event Sponsor:

Mason & Mason (TCN Silver Sponsor)

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Feb. 13 , 2008, 12 noon

Finding Funding in your IP

This limited seat members-only luncheon helps you explore whether your IP portfolio could be licensed to add cash to your business. We'll talk about the the advantages and pitfalls of licensing as well as the various kinds of licensing possibilities.

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Feb. 5 , 2008, 7:30 - 9:00 am

TERM SHEETS

Negotiating an investor term sheet can be a daunting task. This interactive roundtable discussion led by an expert venture capital attorney and Boston’s most active angel investor explains the common business and legal terms used in Angel and Venture Capital term sheets. The roundtable also discusses common practices and pitfalls surrounding the use of term sheets and the current market terms for early stage angel and venture investments. Some sample term sheets from 2007 are also be reviewed.

Program Panelists:

John Hession - Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP (slides)

Jean Hammond - Hub Angels, Launchpad Venture and Golden Seeds

Moderator:

Laila Kassis - Key Venture Partners

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Dec. 4 , 2007, 7:30 - 9:00 am

Pitching the Plan

Early stage ventures seeking investment need to know how to target, locate, approach and close with venture capitalists, angels and strategic investors. Through an interactive panel discussion with an entrepreneur and leading area entrepreneurs, attendees learn how to maximize their chances of identifying the right investors and securing the capital they need to grow their business. Attendees learn how to create an "Elevator Pitch" and what to include in their "Investment Deck".

Program Panelists:

Dr. Jay Schwartz - Boston Harbor Angels (slides)

Carl Stjernfeldt - Castile Ventures

Bob Lenz - PermissionTV

Moderator:

Laila Kassis - Key Venture Partners

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Nov. 8 , 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Funding Options

An Essential Overview of Early Stage Capital Sources: Angels, Venture Capital, Debt, Grants and Strategic Partners. This session presents a high level overview of the pros & cons of the various options for early stage entrepreneurs. Using expert panelists, angel capital, venture capital, strategic capital, bank financing, friends and family investors, and state and federal grant programs are discussed.

Program Panelists:

Chris Sheehan - Common Angels (slides)

Dr. Andrew Jay - Siemens Ventures (slides)

Kevin Greene - Flagship Ventures (slides)

Dan Allred - Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Dr. Abigail Barrow - MTTC (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - MobileTek Corporation

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October 17 , 2007, 12 noon

SECURITIES LAW BASICS: How to Keep your fundraising legal

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides a basic understanding of how to complete your fund raising in compliance with securities laws. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Luncheon Host :

Bingham McCutchen (TCN Gold Sponsor)

Oct. 2, 2007, 7:30 - 9:00 am

KEYS TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS FUNDABLE

Only a select few early-stage companies will have what it takes to get growth capital from outside investors. This session outlines some of the characteristics of fundable companies - from business model fundamentals to rule-of-thumb metrics used by angel and venture capital investors.

Program Panelists:

Stephanie Khurana – Higher Aims, LLC (slides)

Josh Kanner – Vela Systems (slides)

James Woodward – Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Elliot Katzman – Commonwealth Capital Ventures (slides)

Moderator:

Jeremy Halpern - MobileTek Corporation

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July 19, 2007, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

The Entrepreneur's University: Choosing the Right Sales Strategy

This next session of the Entrepreneurs' University explores the fundamental challenges and questions involved in choosing the right approach for your business. Stephen Davis of the CXO Advisory Group leads a 2-hour session covering the landscape of various sales strategies.

Speaker:

Stephen Davis – The CXO Advisory Group

Venue: The Entrepreneurs' University at MWE

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June 14, 2007, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

The Entrepreneur's University: Bulding a Business Plan

John Hession of McDermott, Will & Emery and his colleagues - lawyers, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who have read hundreds of business plans - teach the "do's and don'ts" of writing a concise and effective business plan. This class kicks off the Entrepreneur's University at McDermott, Will & Emery (MWE).

Speakers:

John Hession – McDermott, Will & Emery

Jack Derby – Derby Management

Venue: The Entrepreneurs' University at MWE

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May 8, 2007, 7:15 - 9:00 am

Growth and Exits

What color is your exit? Hear a founder's perspective and an investor's perspective on critical factors in creating successful companies. This interactive discussion will also address the logistics, timetables, and pitfalls to avoid for a valuable exit. You'll learn a spectrum of options to help you choose the right color or rainbow of colors for you.

Program Panelists:

Harry Ruda – Desktone, Inc. (slides)

Rod Randall – Vesbridge Partners (slides)

Paul Sweeney – Foley Hoag, LLP (slides)

Moderator:

David S. Safaii - Windspeed Ventures

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April 26, 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

The Black Box Of Valuation

This program lets you participate in real world scenario that will test your ability and acumen to arrive at the right valuation for your business. The evening roundtable features an entrepreneur who offers his business as a case study in an interactive format where you are asked to collaborate to set his valuation and defend it.

Program Panelists:

Bard Salmon – Lexent Technologies, Inc.

Aaron Freedman – Untravel Media, Inc. (slides)

Jerry Kehoe – Bingham McCutchen

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April 11, 2007, 12 noon

How to Structure Co-Founder Relationships

This limited seat members-only luncheon provides attendees invaluable information on defining Co-Founder relationships to avoid the pitfalls that can harm a company's ability to attract investment capital. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Foley Hoag LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

April 10, 2007, 7:15 - 9:30 am

Strategic Alliances: how to identify and make THESE relationships work TO GET MONEY for your company

Strategic alliances can offer an efficient and effective means to capital. If that isn't good enough, there is another hidden gem -- a potential exit strategy when the time is right. During this session, expert panelists will consider how relationships with vendors, customers, distributors, OEMs, VARs, universities, technology partners or others with complementary products and services could lead to funding and more.

Program Panelists:

Don Dodge – Microsoft (slides)

Marc Recht – McDermott Will & Emery LLP (slides)

John Gargasz – DRS Codem System (slides)

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March 21, 2007, 12 noon

Creating Deal Velocity: Financing Terms that Really Matter

This limited seat luncheon discusses the types and sources of debt capital available to start-ups, as well as how banking relationships can accelerate the growth of ventures. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Silicon Valley Bank (TCN Gold Sponsor)

March 7, 2007, 12 noon

OPTION PRicing: How to value options and stock grants to minimize obstacles to liquidity

This limited seat luncheon shows how early stage companies should value equity grants to employees to ensure that both parties are protected during a later acquisition, IPO or audit. Sophisticated entrepreneurs who understand the importance of these issues will build credibility and trust with early stage investors.

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

Hosted by:

Deloitte (TCN Premium Sponsor)

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March 1, 2007, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

FUNDING OPTIONS: VCs, Angels, Bootstrapping, Grants, Loans & other sources of Early-Stage Capital

We brought back this popular session to again give the audience an in-depth view of the pros/cons of the possible funding options for their business. Using expert panelists, we describe SBIR/STTR grants, bank or technology partner financing/investment and the inside story on what angels will fund or if you should go directly to a venture firm. For each option, the panelists discuss the investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rate, control rate, control issues, compliance features and economic cost of financing a company.

Program Panelists:

Dr. Abigail Barrow – Mass Technology Transfer Center

Steve Hallowell – Commonwealth Capital

Dr. Jay Schwartz – Boston Harbor Angels

Oscar Jazdowski – Silicon Valley Bank (slides)

Larry Nannis – Levine, Katz, Nannis, and Solomon PC (slides)

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February 13, 2007, 7:30-9:30 am

Team Building: Assembling an A-Team that will Attract Financing

It is an oft repeated truism that angels and venture capital firms invest in teams more than they invest in ideas and technologies. This roundtable will provide investors’ perspectives on this dilemma, along with a discussion of other team-related topics, such as:

- What is a founder’s role on the management team?
- Is there a right time is to bring in “professional” management?
- What are industry norms for management team compensation?

Program Panelists:

John Barrett - Cook Associates (slides)

Kirke Curtis - Pamet Systems (slides)

Laura Barker Morse - Atlas Venture

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February 7, 2007, 12 noon

Creating Deal Velocity: Financing Terms that Really Matter

This limited seat luncheon provides an in-depth examination of actual angel and venture capital financing terms that influence valuation, Board composition, financial structure and liquidity options. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

McDermott Will & Emery LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

February 6, 2007, 7:30- 12 noon

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY: FINANCING OPTIONS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

A morning program in partnership with The Commonwealth Institute. With an aperture toward the challenges that specifically face women and their businesses, this interactive roundtable is intended to help entrepreneurs assess which source of capital is right for their company based upon their business needs, goals and type of business. After a brief presentation by those who have “been there”, seasoned entrepreneurs and investors will be on hand to lead a guided discussion to help navigate the journey towards getting money.

Program Panelists:

Jean Hammond - Golden Seeds

Stephanie Khurana - Higher Aims, LLC

Kathy Sherbrooke - Circles

Ken Itrato - Wilmer Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

Rose Saia - The Capital Network

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January 10, 2007, 12 noon

Revenue Recognition iN Financial Projections

Hosted by:

Levine, Katz, Nannis & Solomon, PC (TCN Gold Sponsor)

January 9, 2007, 7:30-9:30 am

Term Sheets and Market Terms in Early Stage Investing

An interactive roundtable discussion about the terms applicable to Angel and Venture Capital investments, and some sample term sheets from 2006. This roundtable provides attendees an explanation of the business and legal terms used in term sheets, the common practices and pitfalls surrounding the use of term sheets, the current market terms for early stage angel and venture investment and the current market for valuations.

Program Panelists:

Alex Wilmerding - Citigroup Private Bank

Jon Gworek - Morse Barnes-Brown and Pendleton(slides)

John Hession - McDermott Will & Emery (slides)

Moderator:

Steve Zamierowski - Deloitte & Touche

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December 12, 2006, 7:30-9:30 am

PITCHING YOUR PLAN

Entrepreneurs who successfully secure funding will tell you that the path to funding starts with a personal introduction to a potential investor. This is an interactive panel discussion of angels, VCs and successful entrepreneurs whose insights will help you find a community of investors. Hear what you need to get the process right and connect with people who’ve done it!

Program Panelists:

Chris Greendale - Kodiak Venture Partners (slides)

Jay Teich - Seahorse Bioscience

Hambleton (Ham) Lord - Launchpad Venture Group (slides)

Moderator:

Mark Terrell - SepSensor, Inc.

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November 29, 2006, 12 noon

HOW TO STRUCTURE FOUNDER AND EMPLOYEE EQUITY

This limited seat luncheon allows TCN members to get invaluable information on avoiding mistakes that can impact a start-up venture's ability to attract Angel and VC funding. Working lunch programs are hosted by TCN's professional service sponsors to provide tactical level information designed to accelerate the fundraising process.

Hosted by:

Bingham McCutchen, LLP (TCN Gold Sponsor)

November 14, 2006, 7:30-9:30 am

The BLACK BOX OF VALUATION

Get your head out of your business and put it to work on a real world scenario that will sharpen your ability to set a realistic valuation and get money. This is an interactive session that gives you a chance to collaborate with peers and determine if you can figure out the right valuation given the circumstances presented.

Program Panelists:

Bard Salmon - Serial Entrepeneur, CEO & Investor (slides)

Jean Hammond - Angel Investor, Launchpad & Golden Seeds

Richard Trembowicz - CEO & President, EdNets (slides)

Jerry Kehoe - Partner, Bingham McCutchen (slides)

Natascha George - Partner, Bingham McCutchen

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October 10, 2006, 7:15-9:30 am

CREATING A FUNDABLE HIGH GROWTH BUSINESS

Program Panelists:

James Woodward - Launchpad Angel Group (slides)

Stephanie Khurana - Higher Aims, LLC (slides)

Alan Hanover - Navigator Technology Ventures (slides)

Moderator:

Kirke Curtis - Pamet Systems

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September 18, 2006, 6:00-9:00 pm

Funding Options for Entrepreneurs

An essential overview of all the possible options for early stage capital — from SBIR grants through VC financing. It is ideal for entrepreneurs who are still sorting out these options, those who are looking to expand their funding as well as for investors who want to understand the portfolio of possibilities available to entrepreneurs. Topics include: investment criteria, time to closing, investment range, success rate, control issues, compliance features and economic cost of financing a company.