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Local technology firms angle for Capital Connection 2007 venture capital opportunities
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Local technology start-ups are preparing to compete for a chance to present their ideas to financiers at the mid-Atlantic’s most high-profile venture capital fair.
Organizers of Capital Connection, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, are now accepting applications for the spring conference, MAVA officials announced Wednesday.
The fair, which is one of several opportunities for local companies to pitch venture capitalists for funding, is by far the most competitive in the region.
About 200 companies typically apply for about 35 spots.
Each winning company gets just minutes to make its pitch with about half of the presenting companies typically finding funding.
The fierce competition for the presentation slots is indicative of the increasing number of start-up technology companies in the region.
With hundreds of firms, and a limited amount of venture funding, venture fairs present an opportunity to get on an investor's radar.
“Not every company is venture backable; it's the companies that are trying to tackle huge markets,” said Tim Meyers, a general partner with Reston-based venture firm Updata Partners and the 2007 chairman for Capital Connection. “That takes a heck of a lot of money and you can’t do that with bank financing or friends and family money.”
Local companies have only a few opportunities each year to pitch investors in such a forum.
The Washington, D.C. Technology Council sponsors a fair, as does The George Mason University Business Alliance. But by far, said Meyers, Capital Connection is the most coveted fair in the region.
“This is one of the largest venture shows in the region,” he said. “The benefit for the region is we get VCs that come from all over the country ... it’s very much a showcase (for the companies) and it’s a showcase for the region.”
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12:44 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 29, 2008 re: "Schools to lease land for phone towers"
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3:39 PM MST on Thu., Aug. 7, 2008
re: "Where being a nerd is cool"
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11:46 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008
re: "Defense, technology firms’ needs make Baltimore the place to be for IT positions"
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11:07 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 24, 2008
re: "U.Md. study shows MBAs lead to higher salaries in IT sector"
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7:34 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 13, 2008
re: "Businesses, educators agree they must unite to address tech job shortage"
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10:17 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
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9:26 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
re: "Schools to lease land for phone towers"
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi this is Nilesh Pund Plz send me information about how take land for tower by company {in short}on my e-mail pund2007@rediffmail.com
7 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Really, we're [game developers] pretty sick of being called "Nerds" by the media; it's a ridiculous characterization. I doubt you'd use the same kinda of language when discussing race or gender. I.e "where being a Ni**** is cool" or "where being a bi*** is cool."
8 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
san carlos removed the only person that was earning her salary. REMOVE THE EMBEZZLING OFFICIALS !
31 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We know who, we know where, we kind of know how, and we get an idea of when... but why did he do this?
10 agree | 12 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wind turbines certainly generate clean energy (preferrable), but I wish leaders would allocate some of their design engineers to study how to protect the wildlife (birds) fatalities. It seems easy enough to place a cage around the turbines, just like the smaller, domestic models that protect children from getting their fingers clipped by the fan blades. I'm sure there's a way to make this look attractive in a super-size turbine.
14 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Dice Report. “Baltimore-Washington has the third-highest average salary for IT professionals at $81,750 a year, ahead of the national average of $74,570.” WOW and yet the jobs which I applied for are paying way below the average. Usually a company asked what salary range I'm looking for, and usually that's a sign of we can't afford you. I answered negotiable, they pursuit for a number. When I give them a number I don't hear from them. Most of the positions I come across are bombarded with responsibilities and has a failure of matching the pay.
16 agree | 14 disagree
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Terence said:
What the article failed to address is that if you have an a non-business major and have an engineering or computer science degree, it is advisable to pursue an MBA degree and as such you would tend to pursue something like an IT degree and in that case, the jump in salary is significant. If you have a business undergrad in IT and pursue an MBA, that jump is significantly less. I still do not understand why students would do both an undergrad and grad in business. Really the textbooks are almost the same, the delivery is the difference. In some cases, classes are cross-taught at both the undergrad and grad. Pursuing a masters of science in marketing, operations and IT is the appropriate route not an MBA for undegrad in business. Just IMHO
16 agree | 15 disagree
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Iconic Xer. said:
I find this story missing a critical and informative element. Sure, tech companies and institutions such as NASA may be losing *employees* to retirement. But that doesn't mean there aren't *lots* of tech professionals around. Quite the opposite. There's an abundance of them. Companies have got to change their cultures, compensation and engagement of workers to be in alignment with the preference of many tech professionals to work outside of organizations, to work for multiple companies, to be flexible, nimble and not dependent on one industry or company for survival. It's a generational thing, really, with your GenXers (27-47 in 2008) heavily leaning in this direction. Re: the lack of kids entering STEM. It has nothing to do with them not wanting to be cool. They are achievement, affluence and team-oriented. Sing their song and they'll come in droves. Sing *your* song & they won't hear you ... or even bother trying. And, mistakenly, you'll conclude they're not interested. What
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Examiner Reader said:
Possible health risk of cancer too! See international studies.
426 agree | 484 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You can't stop it now and usually there is a reason its done that way
489 agree | 469 disagree
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