SAN JOSE, Calif., June 2, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Close to 1,000 technology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life science innovators, venture capital firms, government agency representatives and corporate investors will meet in San Jose June 28 and 29th at The Venture Forum's annual event to connect early stage innovators with funding sources. Since its inception 11 years ago, The Venture Forum has facilitated $600 million in venture capital, corporate and government investment, thereby helping innovators move high-value technologies closer to commercialization.
"The venture capital funding stream has begun to flow again, so we felt the timing was right to move The Venture Forum from Los Angeles to Silicon Valley, the epicenter of innovation," says Rohit Shukla, founder of the Los Angeles-based Larta Institute which sponsors The Venture Forum.
During the two-day event, the Venture Forum will "offer seed and startup capital investors a glimpse into the future of every major technology sector, from nanotechnology to the Internet," explains Shukla. "We believe entrepreneurs are our seed corn, the genesis of technology companies of the future, and we will connect them with venture capital and other funding sources so they can bring their innovation to the commercial marketplace," says Shukla. "It's possible the next Google is one of our startup exhibitors!" he declares.
Registration for the two-day event is $795. To learn more about the Forum and to register for the two-day event, go to http://www.theventureforum.com/registration.asp
Competitive Differentiation
Unlike typical trade shows or conferences, where the event has little followup, The Venture Forum is connected year-round to funding sources through the Larta Institute. Larta has commercialization program contracts with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to facilitate government support of information technologies, life science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical technologies, to help these innovators commercialize their products. Larta also works year-round with its extensive network of venture capital firms and other private investors to be the link between concept and commercialization. Since its founding in 1993, Larta has assisted companies in raising more than $1.5 billion in capital investment.
"There isn't another conference on the planet that can tap into every significant technology base that exists. That is what The Venture Forum and Larta is able to achieve -- this linkage between all major technology sectors and the funding sources they need," says Shukla.
Forum Overview
During the June 28-29 Forum at the San Jose Convention Center, individual innovators will have the opportunity to interface with venture capital and other funding sources, as well as other entrepreneurs, through exhibits, panel discussions and networking events. The Innovation Lounge will be open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. to enable innovators to meet one on one with potential investors. A complete schedule is available at http://www.theventureforum.com/agenda.asp
June 28 features the Technology Innovation Showcase with Pavilions dedicated to DARPA, Technology Transfer, Advanced Technology, U.S. Regional Innovation and Global Innovation, including Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and Canada. Innovators can connect with possible funding sources in these pavilions as well as participate in panel discussions on technology transfer, clean technology, media technology, angel investors and other topics.
The keynote speaker June 28th is Renee James, Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Software and Solutions Group, based in Portland, Oregon. She is responsible for working with industry partners to ensure compatibility with Intel platforms and components. Previously, she served as general manager of the Microsoft Program Office. She was responsible for all aspects of the relationship between Intel and Microsoft. In addition, she has served in a variety of management positions in marketing, planning and general management. James also served as the technical assistant to former Intel Chairman Andrew S. Grove for four years.
June 29 features the NIH Life Science Showcase with a focus on emerging technologies funded by NIH through Larta's NIH Commercialization Assistance Program. Discussion panels will include biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technologies. The keynote speaker for June 29th will be announced shortly.
Attendee Registration
Registration for the two-day event is $795. To register, go to http://www.theventureforum.com/registration.asp. A $150 exhibit-only pass is also available.
Credentialed Media: To register for a press pass, please contact Joe Escamilla at jescamilla@larta.org or 213-765-4829.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Venture Forum sponsors include: Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, NIH, Advanced Technology Program, Morrison Foerster, Agilent Technologies, Cargill Ventures, Unilever and Enterprise Partners Venture Capital.
For information on sponsorship opportunities contact Charles R. Sena at 213-765-4836 or email at csena@larta.org
About The Venture Forum
The Venture Forum is the country's largest -- and longest running -- showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship. Since its inception in 1995, The Venture Forum has facilitated $600 million in venture capital, corporate and government investment, thereby helping innovators move high-value technologies closer to commercialization. It has been associated with several strong trends in innovation, in areas ranging from media and communications to clean technologies and materials, from ecommerce to nanotechnology. Life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation have also been supported by The Venture Forum.
The Venture Forum first identifies key trends in major technology sectors, then selects innovators in those areas to present their ideas to leading decision makers in the investment and corporate worlds. Every presentation made by entrepreneurs at the Forum has been carefully mentored by Larta Institute, the founders and producers of the Forum.
About Larta Institute
Larta Institute's mission is to increase economic development through the improved transition of scientific and technological breakthroughs from the laboratory to the marketplace, where they can solve problems, enhance economic opportunities, advance medical care, and better people's lives. Larta Institute is an independent, private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation registered in the State of California.
Since 1993, companies helped by Larta Institute have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Its programs serve thousands of businesspeople each year. Larta accelerates the transition of cutting-edge technologies to the marketplace by connecting innovators to investors and companies, and leveraging its extensive network of relationships and resources.
Larta Institute was originally formed in 1993 through legislation enacted by the State of California to assist small companies developing innovative technologies. The Institute has expanded dramatically since then to serve thousands of clients in a wide variety of technology sectors globally.
For more information contact Rohit Shukla, founder, at rshukla@larta.org. Also visit Larta's blog at http://larta.blogspot.com/
CONTACT: Larta Institute
Rohit Shukla, Founder
(213) 765-4829
rshukla@larta.org