Connect To Venture Funding Start-Ups

"Crossroads Connection: Getting Started and Funding Focus" is a Connecticut Venture Group (CVG) event on Thursday, June 16, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at UConn Stamford, 1 University Place, Stamford.

Fee for "Investing in Early Stage Companies," $25; "Funding Focus for Entrepreneurs/Start-up Companies," $25.

For details or upcoming CVG events, contact Ann Discenza, adiscenza@cvg.org; call (860) 282-4978.

Leveraging Assets For Industry, Entrepreneurs

The Connecticut Venture Group, Connecticut Technology Council and University of Connecticut’s Office of Technology Commercialization will co-host "Leveraging University Assets for Industry and Entrepreneurs" on Wednesday, June 2 at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.

The conference will feature expert-led presentations on technology transfer and university-industry interactions that foster growth and development.

Speakers will include representatives from two acknowledged leaders in industry-university collaborations: the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse and Penn State’s PENNTap program. Additionally, deans from three key UConn schools will discuss how their schools are working with counterparts in industry to collaborate on promising projects that drive innovation and create profitable top-line growth.

Frank Milone, a partner with Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP and co-president of CVG Hartford chapter, said the conference is designed for senior corporate management, entrepreneurs and investors interested in technology transfer, licensing platforms and opportunities for regional university-industry partnerships.

Cost is $25.

For details see www.cvg.org or call (203) 256-5955.

Investment Potential, Google Ventures

Google Ventures is looking for startups in industries including consumer Internet, software, hardware, clean-tech, bio-tech, health care and others - specifically in entrepreneurs who are tackling problems in creative and innovative ways.

As a venture fund, however, they also looking for investments with the "potential for significant financial return."

Seed funding depends on the stage of the opportunity and the company's need for capital.

Google Ventures will also co-invest along with outstanding venture or strategic partners. For more information see http://www.google.com/ventures/contact.html.

CVG Crossroads Venture Fair

The Connecticut Venture Group (CVG) Crossroads Venture Fair is Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 in New Haven.

CVG Leadership Awards will be presented to Rib-X Pharmaceuticals of New Haven and Perimeter eSecurity of Milford.

David Scheer, Scheer and Company of New Haven will be presented with the 2009 Venture Capital Leadership Award for his contributions to Connecticut’s Life Sciences cluster. Since founding his firm in 1981, Scheer has been involved in the founding
and has been a member of the board of directors of ViroPharma, Inc., OraPharma, Inc. (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Pfizer), and Sopherion Therapeutics, Inc. (of which he was chairman).

Crossroads 2009 will showcase emerging and growing technology and life science firms that have established revenues or have received a prior round of professional venture financing.

The event at the Omni New Haven Hotel is attended by leading venture capital and private equity firms seeking investment opportunities. In addition to showcasing exhibiting companies seeking investment capital, Crossroads includes a distinguished roster of speakers on venture investing and the current economic climate.

Online registration for Investors and other attendees is at www.crossroads-cvg.com or call CVG at (203) 256-5955.

Event sponsors include Connecticut Innovations and event hosts Yale University and the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven.

CVG is a non-profit association of venture capitalists that has served to connect members with high-growth companies in Connecticut for more than 30 years.

Twitter, Tweet, Hard to Beat

Heard of Twitter?

A networking tool in real-time, the way people use this new form of communication is still developing.

To sample the conversations and applications, see http://search.twitter.com/search and enter a search word. Look for jobs, people, or just "listen" to the back-and-forth talk blips, called "tweets."