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AGENDA
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Tuesday, May 15
10:00 a.m.
Registration Opens
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Luncheon Reception & Networking
11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
David J. Brophy PhD, Professor of Finance, Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan
Update on the Michigan 21st Century Fund and Venture Michigan Fund
Kelly Williams, Managing Director, Credit Suisse
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Meet the Managers of Selected Venture Firms Receiving Investment Commitments From the $95 Million Venture Michigan Fund I and the $109 Million Michigan 21st Century Investment Fund
Presented by Credit Suisse and the Michigan Venture Capital Association
This panel is comprised of representatives of all firms that have closed on transactions to receive investment from these programs. Panelists will provide an overview of their firms and share their fund investment strategies.
Panelists:
Jan L. Garfinkle, Managing Director, Arboretum Ventures
John Neis, Managing Director, Venture Investors LLC
Rodrigo Prudencio, Partner, Nth Power
Moderator:
Kelly Williams, Managing Director, Credit Suisse
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Institutional Investing: Selecting Successful Small and Emerging Funds
Comprised of institutional investors from fund of funds and foundations, these individuals will discuss
what they look for in a small fund manager, how they identify quality emerging management teams, the types
of investments they look for in early-stage venture capital funds, how they conduct their due diligence, and
what investment areas excite them at the moment.
Panelists:
L. Erik Lundberg, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, University of Michigan
Robert J. Manilla, Senior Investment Director, The Kresge Foundation
Thomas M. Gladden, Partner, Adams Street Partners
Kelly Williams, Managing Director, Credit Suisse
Moderator:
Kevin J. Fedewa, Acting Administrator, Alternative Investments State of Michigan Retirement Systems
1:40-2:40 p.m.
How do Michigan and the Biopharmaceutical Industry Capitalize on Pfizer's Strategic Exit?
As part of a global move to reduce costs, Pfizer has made the strategic decision to close three research facilities in Michigan. This panel will reflect on the implications and opportunities created by Pfizer's move.
Panelists:
James A. Bristol, Ph.D., former Senior Vice President, Worldwide Drug Discovery, Pfizer Inc.
Roger Longman, Managing Partner, Windhover Information, Inc.
John Neis, Managing Director, Venture Investors LLC
Michael T. Raymond, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC
Moderator:
Ron Eastman, Partner, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures
Company Presentations - Services / Energy - Four companies to present.
Company Presentations - Technology - Four companies to present.
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Technology-based Start ups: Emerging Market Trends, New Technologies and Lessons Learned
Start-ups and new technologies have lots of potential and opportunities for investment dollars. These seasoned veterans of founding and investing in technology start-ups will discuss emerging market trends, new technologies that address these markets and open new ones, and how they have successfully leveraged these changes to create successful start up companies. This esteemed panel is steeped in years of industry experience in software and semiconductors as they apply to networking, communications, wireless, security and data warehousing.
Panelists:
Bill Cook, CEO Greenplum
Michael Dager, CEO, Arxan
David L. Hartmann, President, Arbor Blue LLC
Jim Watson, Managing Director, CMEA Ventures
Moderator:
Beau Laskey, General Partner, EDF Ventures
Company Presentations - Life Sciences -
Four companies to present.
Company Presentations - Technology / Other - Four companies to present.
4:20-5:20 p.m.
Investing in Alternative Energy
"Alternative Energy" continues to be a hot item, both politically and in the investment world. Economic and security issues play a role in the demand to create viable, affordable alternatives to oil. But with a history of volatility and broken promises in this area of investment, the question remains: What are the real investment opportunities in Alternative Energy, and what role does venture capital play?
Panelists:
Eric Apfelbach, President & Chief Executive Officer, Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
James Croce, CEO, NextEnergy
Michael DeRosa, Managing Director, DFJ Element Ventures
Rodrigo Prudencio, Partner, Nth Power
Moderator:
Chris Rizik, Co-founder, Ardesta LLC
Company Presentations - Life Sciences -
Four companies to present.
Company Presentations - Technology - Four companies to present.
5:20 p.m.
Evening Cocktail Networking Reception
6:30 p.m
Dinner Reception
7:15 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Ram Shriram, Founder, Sherpalo Ventures
Ram Shriram is a Silicon Valley legend and a founding investor in Netscape, founder of Junglee, investor and executive in Amazon, and very early active investor in Google. Ram helps build firms based upon breakthrough technology through his firm Sherpalo Ventures. With his knowledge and interest in Michigan, he will address what we need to do to create value from the opportunities we face in Michigan. In his presentation, Ram will engage in a Q&A with Professor David Brophy, drilling down on lessons for Michigan from Ram's experience as a business builder in Silicon Valley. This will be extended to include audience participation as well.
8:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Wednesday, May 16
7:45 a.m.
Registration and Networking Breakfast
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Richard Wong, Partner, Accel Partners
Download Slides - This link will take you to Mr. Wong's bio. Once there please scroll to the bottom of his bio where you will find a copy of his slides for downloading.
Future of Digital Media and Advertising
Richard Wong is a partner with Accel Partners, a leading Silicon Valley venture firm, where he focuses on mobile and broadband services software, as well as messaging and security applications. With significant entrepreneurial and general management experience, Wong will focus on the future of digital media and advertising, as well as offer perspective on early stage, fast growth wireless and messaging companies and highlight the unique opportunities for growth in this technology sector in the Midwest.
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Exit Strategies for Venture-Backed Biotech Companies
Presented by Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone
The engine of the life sciences innovation process requires funding to get ideas out of the
laboratory, through development and testing, and ultimately to people. Funding sources must be able to envision a clear exit strategy to allow them to invest.
With greater regulation and increasing scrutiny, Wall Street is less inviting to some
biotech companies ready for the next level. Maturing biotech companies increasingly
explore a growing number of alternatives to initial public offerings. Panelists will
discuss their assessments of their own exit options, how they chose their particular
paths, and the outcomes they experienced.
Panelists:
Charles L. Bisgaier, Ph.D., President, Pipex Therapeutics, Inc.
Harry Cendrowski, Managing Partner, Cendrowski Corporate Advisors LLC
Jonathan P. O'Brien, Ph.D., Principal, Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC
Mina Sooch, Founder & General Partner, Apjohn Ventures
Moderator:
Phillip D. Torrence, Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC
Company Presentations - Technology - Four companies to present.
Company Presentations - Services / Life Sciences - Four companies to present.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Beginning With The End in Mind: The Importance of Regulatory Approvals
Presented by Foley & Lardner
Panelists will discuss the importance of focusing on regulatory aspects at an early stage of a company's growth and will share their experiences navigating the many paths of regulatory approval and how to determine the deliverables needed as a company makes forward progress in the regulatory process.
Panelists:
Nathan A. Beaver, Senior Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP (Panelist / Moderator)
William Brinkerhoff, Chief Operating Officer, Cerenis Therapeutics
Deborah Ladenheim, Ph.D., VP of Project Operations & Regulatory Affairs, Avidimer Therapeutics
Jim Matheson, General Partner, Flagship Ventures
Company Presentations - Technology - Four companies to present.
Company Presentations - Life Sciences - Four companies to present.
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Networking Luncheon Reception
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Common Terms and Conditions in Early Stage and Venture Financing
Presented by Butzel Long
A primer on what to expect from seed, angel, incubator and venture funding sources. Seasoned investors will share their experiences in an interactive discussion.
Panelists:
Scott Button, Managing Director, Venture Investors LLC
Sandra Cochrane, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Michigan Innovation Center
Michael C. Gruber, Founder, Cornerstone Angels
Mahendra Ramsinghani, Senior Advisor, Plymouth Venture Partners
Moderator:
David B. Braun, Butzel Long
2:30-3:30 p.m.
The Changing Landscape of Venture Capital
What does it take for a venture capital firm to be successful in today's marketplace? Leading venture capitalists will discuss their viewpoint from the perspective of the changing business models in response to today's marketplace, firm size, region in which they invest, and industry focus.
Panelists:
Shawn Carolan, Managing Director, Menlo Ventures
David Cremin, Managing Director, DFJ Frontier
James H. Plonka, Vice President, Dow Venture Capital
Timothy Schigel, Director, Blue Chip Venture Company
Moderator:
Tony Grover, Managing Director, RPM Ventures
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Closing Reception