Event to help startup companies
By Steven Poland
Staff
Writer
Ever think of building or joining a startup company?
Garage.com’s Bootcamp for Startups two-day
conference is taking place in Chicago this week, and might help you
answer question.
"Previous responses have been that the two
days at boot camp are better than two years at a (management in business
administration)," said Bill Reichert, president of Garage.com,
a venture capital investment bank that provides funding services for
high technology and life sciences startups.
The conference, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday,
at the Chicago Navy Pier, was established to help train entrepreneurs
who are building high technology or life sciences businesses, according
to a press release.
The release said that in the conference's intensive,
high-energy sessions, experts provide advice on important startup issues
including fundraising, business development, recruiting, and marketing.
"We try to encapsulate in two days the best
wisdom for entrepreneurs — key tips to success, who tends to fail,
etc.," said Reichert. "For a student thinking of joining a startup company
in high-tech, the conference will also help students make better judgments
when looking at those opportunities."
Entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to network
with peers and potential mentors.
"It’s a great schmoozefest. It gives
students the opportunity to meet with all types of other people and
gain their perspectives on technology trends, etc. That’s in addition
to what they get from the panels of experts," said Reichert.
The event has 14 scheduled speaker and panelist
sessions. The first speaker is Reichert with a session titled "The
Fundable Deal." The event’s agenda said the program offers
participants inside information about capital structure, valuation,
dilution, options, classes of stock, bridge loans and due diligence
to make a company fundable.
Some other topics include: "Perfecting Your
Pitch," "Winning (and Losing) eBusiness Strategies,"
"Touched by an Angel" and "Hot to Create a Fundable Team."
The final speech, "Rules for Revolutionaries,"
is at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and given by Guy Kawasaki, founder and
CEO of Garage.com.
Kawasaki, an inspirational speaker and commentator
on corporate culture, explains the 10 things that a revolutionary must
do to succeed in today's business climate.
Registration for students is $299, compared to
the non-student rate of $795. Mark Sepeta, president of the Krannert
Entrepreneurship club and first year Krannert MBA candidate has signed
up.
"I’ve only heard great things about the
conference and am really looking forward to it. Also, seeing that the
high-tech industry is in the tank right now, I’m curious to hear
what these individuals experienced in startups have to say about building
a company in these conditions," said Sepeta.
Veneeth Iyengar, a senior in the School of Management,
has previously attended the conference in Silicon Valley. He was also
part of the redFOLIO.com team that placed second last year in Garage.com’s
PlanEDU, a business plan competition for students.
"The boot camp itself was an extremely resourceful
tool. We learned a great deal on how to make favorable impressions on
venture capitalists," said Iyengar.
For more information on Garage.com’s Bootcamp
for Startups, visit their Web site: http://www.garage.com/bootcamp/
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