News & Announcements

TOTAL ACCESS Panel Event: “Reverse Demo Day”

By now, the rituals of Demo Day are familiar.  The opportunities are great both for startups to tell their story, and for investors to see a lot of deals in a very short time.  So why wouldn’t the reverse be true?

Introducing the Valley’s first Reverse Demo Day, where the investors sell themselves to entrepreneurs.  Inspired by Betaworks’ and AOL’s New York VC Demo Day, Orrick’s TOTAL ACCESS program will be holding a Reverse Demo Day.  This event puts some of Silicon Valley’s top angel investors on stage and gives them five minutes to deliver their elevator pitch to entrepreneurs.  Participating investors include Jeff Clavier (SoftTech Venture Capital), Dave McClure (500 Startups) and many more.  For startups, it’s the perfect opportunity to get a better sense of some of the names you always see on AngelList.

“Why Storage, Why Now?” with EnerVault, Primus Power, Joint Venture, and RockPort Capital

You’re invited to attend Orrick’s complimentary TOTAL ACCESS program focused on why storage and why now?  Storage has been talked about for years and investments have been made with no significant impact to date.  What is different now?  Come join our panelists as they discuss this as well as other topics pertaining to cleantech storage.

Topics:

  • Problems because of renewable or energy supply issues
  • Policy & regulation issues
  • Key technical challenges
  • Impact and solutions

Moderator:
Greg Heibel, Partner, Orrick

Panel Event: M&A and IPO Market Update with Salesforce, Former Founder of Jigsaw, RW Baird, and Ernst & Young

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012
Time: 7:15 – 8:15 a.m. (Light Breakfast & Networking)
8:15 – 10:15 a.m. (Panel Discussion)
Location: Orrick
Mesa Verde Cafe
1100 Marsh Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Please accept or decline
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You’re invited to attend Orrick’s complimentary TOTAL ACCESSprogram focused on the needs of the startup and venture capital community.  The event will explore the topic of liquidity in 2011 from different professional perspective.

Topics:

  • Market Data of 2011
  • M&A Deals in 2011
  • IPOs in 2011
  • Multiple Perspectives on Recent Exits

Top 10 Questions that Investors ask Founders

Topic: Top 10 Questions that Investors ask Founders. When you present to VCs or angels, do you know which questions they are most likely to ask?  Will you be ready with answers?  How can you prepare meaningful answers and how do you respond gracefully if you do not know the answer?  Join us for great ideas on how to think on your feet during high-pressure presentations.

Presenters: Jon Baer of Threshold Ventures, John Giddings, angel investor, and Joseph Perkins, Orrick, moderator.

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SPEAKERS

How To Make and Market Award Winning Apps

Topic: How to Make and Market Award Winning Apps

Presenters: Matt Monday of Karma Store, Rob Abbott of EGG HAUS, and Steve Hoffman of Yumby and Founders Space.

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Matt Monday Rob Abbott

SPEAKERS

SIIA Executive Breakfast Series: Six Proven ways to Monetize your IP Now!

Kanzatec

Kanzatec

Feisal Mosleh

Feisal Mosleh

JANUARY 25 8:30 am – 10:30 am PT
Foster City, CA

Google bought Motorola Mobility for $12B to get access to their 17,000 patents. Nortel sold its 6000 patents for $4.5B to Apple, Sony, Microsoft, EMC consortium. Even IBM (the #1 in US Patents) sold over 1,000 of its patents recently. There are examples the accelerating trend around intellectual property as a key financial asset that can be traded and monetized these days. Join the SIIA Executive Breakfast Series, sponsored by Corent Technology, to learn:

Transmedia SF: Meet the Makers

Transmedia Producers Present and Discuss their Projects

https://www.eventbrite.com/event/1457378057/autohome

FREE DRINKS, FOOD, NETWORKING AND DISCUSSIONS WITH WORKING TRANSMEDIA PRODUCERS

Transmedia is a hot word these days and it’s being bandied about on all fronts.  Hollywood, Madison Avenue and creatives everywhere are exploring what transmedia is and what it promises in the future.  At this inaugural event of the Transmedia SF group, we’ll seek to define transmedia both in academic terms but also by presenting people who are out there creating and distributing transmedia productions and projects.

Schedule:

6:00 pm – Doors Open for Drinks, Demos and Networking

Panel Event: 10 Startup Mistakes to Avoid

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time: 7:15 – 8:15 am (Light Breakfast & Networking), 8:15 – 10:15 am (Panel Discussion)

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Location: Orrick
The Orrick Building
405 Howard Street
8th Floor – Cafe
San Francisco, CA 94105

You’re invited to attend Orrick’s complimentary TOTAL ACCESS program in San Francisco focused on startup mistakes and what to avoid. Starting and building a company is extremely rewarding, yet challenging for many. Before falling into the pattern of doing what doesn’t work, come hear from our panelists about what to avoid and watch out for while building your company to success.

Join us at Vator Splash in San Francisco!

Vator Splash

Vator Splash

Splash is a single-track evening event and startup competition. Splash gathers leading entrepreneurs, innovators, venture capitalists and angel investors across technology to inspire and energize the audience about entrepreneurship and innovation.  Splash brings together high-caliber speakers who talk about how to build and scale great successful companies, how their industries are changing and the opportunities those changes are creating.

Splash also allows the audience to mingle with top venture capitalists and angels who are funding tomorrow’s next Google and Facebook. These influencers will give you insights into how they think when it comes to investments and they’ll also talk about their changing investment strategies in light of the emergence of super angels, angels, micro-VCs and incubators.  Sign up here and get your 15% discount on tickets by using the promo code “FOUNDERSSPACE”

TOTAL ACCESS: Collaboratively Consuming, Sharing, and Growing

You’re invited to attend Orrick’s complimentary TOTAL ACCESS program focused on collaborative consumption.  With companies such as Airbnb, Taskrabbit, and Uber becoming frequently mentioned players (if not already) in the industry, collaborative consumption startups will be some of the hottest companies to watch out for this year.  Come join us for the inside scoop.

Sign up here

Topics:

  • Why collaborative consumption now?
  • How to establish trust in a collaborative consumption business?
  • What are the biggest hurdles?
  • What are the next big trends we should expect to see in the sharing economy?

Moderator:
Greg Heibel, Partner, Orrick

IPO Seminar for C-Level Execs

Surviving With or Without an IPO — Preparing for Windows of Opportunity

This is a great seminar for CEOs, CFOs and investors of companies contemplating an initial public offering.

http://www.marcumllp.com/emails/events/IPO-NanetteMiller/email

Featured Speakers:
Nanette MillerJulia VaxMark Greenough and Matthew Veturi
will provide expert advice to companies contemplating an IPO and will offer a comprehensive overview of the many practical gating items and pros and cons of making that decision.

DATE

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TIME
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM PST

LOCATION
Hotel Sofitel
233 Twin Dolphin Drive
Redwood City, CA 94065

Best Business Simulation Games – Teaching Young Minds to Become Entrepreneurs

Naomi Kokubo

Naomi Kokubo

by Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space

If you’re thinking of getting a gift for your kids, nephews, nieces or friends, why not start them on the path to entrepreneurship.  There’s nothing like experience to get a young (or old) mind thinking of starting their own company someday.   Since most people aren’t about to found a real company, the next best thing is to start a virtual one in a simulated game world.

Geek Gear: XShot (perfect stocking stuffer)

Steve Hoffman

Steve Hoffman

by Steven Hoffman, Publisher of Founders Space

Nothing is better for Xmas than an XShot — it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to take photos over the holidays!

Check out the video below.   This product is brilliant. And they have an iPhone case that works like a I charm with both the XShot and any tripod you may own.  I know because I own them both!

As you can probably tell, I love the design. The product is also incredibly well made. It doesn’t feel cheap. It’s actually very sturdy. If you love gadgets, like we do, you will get a kick out this one!

Founders Spotlight: Kid IRA

Naomi Kokubo

Naomi Kokubo

by Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space

This week we’re shining the spotlight on founder Alexander Desuasido and his startup Kid IRA:

http://www.kidira.org/

A Kid IRA® is the ideal investment vehicle that allows today’s students to raise and invest their money to grow faster than traditional savings accounts for college and beyond.

The Kidira Foundation provides students and parents with the necessary tools to educate and empower themselves.   It’s a great idea, and I encourage you all to take a look!

Clean Technology Conference: Sustainability

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Location:
SAP
3410 Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304

Registration Link:
http://www.svforum.org/clean-tech-conference

$10 off Registration to SVForum’s Clean Technology Conference: ENERGY

Description:

The domestic clean technology industry has faced political, financial, regulatory, and competitive challenges.  However, venture capitalists continue to invest in the industry, as illustrated by the $891 million raised by 80 cleantech companies in the third quarter of 2011*. Come hear from key leaders and industry influencers about innovative business models and technologies that are addressing global concerns around sustainability and climate change.

Introductions Galore with Garage Ventures & Band of Angels

Topic: Introductions Galore: How to Get in the Door. Can you use tips on how to gracefully approach VCs, angels and other key members of the vibrant Silicon Valley startup community?  Join us as we discuss how to widen your network of possibilities with introductions galore!

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Presenters: Bill Reichert of Garage Technology Ventures and Bruce Schechter of Band of Angels.

Join us for the Founders Space Silicon Valley Roundtable, where founders gather to share knowledge and work together to solve problems. Roundtables are geared to founders and C-level executives of growth-oriented companies for exploring critical issues and business opportunities with peers and subject matter experts.

New Years Resolutions with Wavepoint Ventures & CalCEF Angel Fund

Topic: Top 10 New Years Resolutions for Founders. What do you need to focus on in 2012 to position your business for success? Where are the opportunities–what are the pitfalls? Can a few changes make a difference in your business? Get organized for the New Year with great ideas from Roundtable speakers and founders!

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NOTE: The venue is a secure building–all reservations must be made by 4:00 p.m. on 07 December.

Startup Monthly Socials, Party, and Cool Events

Geek Gear: FitDesk is a Geek’s Dream

FitDesk

Imagine answering email, tweeting, checking Facebook, and updating your website, all while bicycling! Sound crazy? Not really, I’m doing it right now as I write this article. And I’m losing weight with each sentence typed. The folks at FitDesk have come up with this cool bike that any geek, like me, would lust over.

AngelHack Launches Hackathon with almost $60k in prizes

Angel Hack announces inaugural Bay Area hackathon to churn out investment grade start-ups in 24 hours.

November 13, 2011 — San Francisco — New hackathon platform, AngelHack, is announcing it’s Dec 3-4 event which will bring together Silicon Valley’s top talent and freshest ideas to compete for almost $60k in prizes such as seed capital investments, co-work space, and tech goodies.

On December 3rd, a room full of 150 entrepreneurs will gather to network and brainstorm before an epic 24hr hackathon. On their journey they will have mentorship from engineers, designers, pitch experts, and product people. The hackathon goes from 5pm Dec 3 – 5pm Dec 4, where after teams will have the opportunity to present their products to a panel of Angel Investors.

Join Founders Space at APPNATION III

Founders Space is excited to be a partner of APPNATION III, the event where the world’s leading app visionaries and emerging players join together to discuss, debate and define this rapidly growing market. Join us there and get 30% off your registration with code “FOUNDERSSPACE”.

Sign up: http://appnationconference.com/appnation3/

Did you know that:

·        A typical US mobile device contains 18 apps.

·        10% of adult cell phone users have downloaded an app within the past week

·        20% of those under age 30.

·        8 in 10 Americans own two or more mobile devices

Founders Spotlight: Playkast

This month’s Founders Spotlight features Playkast. Playkast’s Interactive Video Platform let’s anyone take their website’s video content and turn it into an interactive experience. Playkast is powering the online auditions for the TV show Family Feud. Playkast also enables online video contests, conversations, collections & challenges.

TOTAL ACCESS Panel Event: Cleantech Market Update

You’re invited to attend Orrick’s complimentary TOTAL ACCESS program focused on the current trends and issues in clean technology.

Topics Include:

  • Latest Ernst & Young Clean Technology Statistics
  • Overview of the Current Fundraising and Investment Environment
  • Other Issues in the Current Environment

Moderator:
Don Keller, Partner, Orrick

Panelists:
Michelle Cheung, Vice President, Natural Resources Group, Goldman Sachs
Nat Kreamer, CEO, Clean Power Finance
Matthew Sapp, Assurance Partner, West Region Cleantech Leader, Ernst & Young
Gary Vollen, Managing Director, Head of Clean Technology Group, Baird

Please accept or decline by Monday, November 14, 2011.

VC Funding vs. Strategic Acquisition: Opportunities & Pitfalls (Silicon Valley Roundtable)

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Founders Space Roundtable – Silicon Valley

Presenters: Todd Kimmel of Mayfield Fund, Pete Sinclair of Leapfrog Ventures, and John Giddings angel investor.

Todd Kimmel Pete Sinclair John Giddings

Todd Kimmel of Mayfield Fund, Pete Sinclair of Leapfrog Ventures, and angel investor John Giddings answer your questions.

The Black Art of Learning from the Competition – Founders Space Roundtable (San Francisco)

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Founders Space Roundtable — San Francisco

Presenters: Ryan Spoon of Polaris Venture Partners, Carol Sands of The Angels’ Forum, and Curtis Mo of DLA Piper.

Ryan Spoon Carol Sands Curtis Mo

Ryan Spoon of Polaris Venture Partners, Carol Sands of The Angels’ Forum, and Curtis Mo of DLA Piper answer your questions.

Solar Energy: Competition from China and the Solyndra Aftermath

Tuesday, December 6th

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Location:
Nixon Peabody
One Embarcadero Center, 18th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111

Registration Link:
http://www.svforum.org/cleanseries

5% Discount Code: CLEAN05

Description:
As the world competes for market share in the solar production industry, China leads the competition with Chinese solar companies now controlling two thirds of the $39 billion photovoltaic (PV) solar production global market. If the United States is to vie for greater market share, then there are a multitude of factors that must be considered, such as the connection between innovation and both domestic and foreign markets, as well as the role of financing. Since many solar companies struggle to gain enough scale in order to become a viable competitor, subsidies, partnerships, and legislation play a significant part in the debate. How can American companies compete with China? How has the Solyndra bankruptcy affected the industry?

Rainmakers 3: To Product/Market Fit and Beyond

When: Friday, Nov 11, 2011 from 6.30 PM – 9.00 PM (PDT)

Where: Aol Building, 395 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto

In this miniconference, we will look at how the seed funding landscape has evolved over the last two years, with the entrance of super angels, AngelList as well as incubators and accelerators backed by venture funds. We will examine the differences and benefits of these various sources of early stage funding and what entrepreneurs should consider when making their decision. Come join us as we learn from the best people at Andreessen Horowitz, Astia, K9 Ventures, Greylock Partners and WebFWD. Get your tickets at http://rainmakers3.eventbrite.com/ and enjoy a 30% off with the discount code “FSvip“.

Calling Top Mobile Innovators : Apply by November 9th

MobiTechFest seeking Wireless Innovators

If you are a startup working on game changing technology and seeking seed to growth stage funding, MobiTechFest is the conference for you. You must apply by November 9th to be considered as a presenter for the upcoming MobiTechFest venture conference on December 7th in Mountain View, CA where up to 14 promising mobile innovations will be showcased to 20+ active mobile/wireless focused investors from Silicon Valley.

APPLICATION DEADLINE : NOV 9, 2011
If you are a startup (seed, Series-A,B,C or restart) from the mobile/wireless space and you are seeking new investment to start or grow to the next level, this is THE conference for you. You must be seeking funding from $250K to $20M . Learn more on the process and how to apply.

WINNER TO RECEIVE $50,000 PRIZE PACKAGE
The investor judges will also select a “Best of Show” winner who will walk-away with a $50,000 prize package including $25,000 in legal services to build your business, courtesy of LeClair Ryan LLP, and a marketing & exhibits package from CTIA, valued at $25,000.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

From Founders of promising innovative companies seeking capital to Mobile Operator Executives to Investors and M&A Executives seeking new innovation should attend this exclusive, limited seating event. Early bird ends November 19th. Register now to reserve your spot.

ABOUT INVESTORFEST MEDIA
Investorfest media is the leading VC funding accelerator working in the mobile space. Through our highly focused training and hands on support, qualified companies are put in front of specially chosen investors our annual MobiTechFest conference. Select alumni companies include Motally (acquired by Nokia), TelCare, Appcentral, HumanEngines (acquired by Motorola Mobility), Crowdzone, Wireless Seismic and many others.To date over 75% of presenting companies have gone on to receive funding, with over $300 million raised since 2006. Learn more at investorfest.com

Geo-Loco: the Future of Tech, Brands and Advertisers in the Loco Revolution

Geo Loco

Geo Loco

Date: November 3, 2011
Where: San Francisco, Mission Bay Conference Center
Website: www.geoloco.tv

25% off Geo-Loco: http://geoloco-sf.eventbrite.com/?discount=founders-space25

Geo-Loco will dive into brand, advertiser and the location convergence in the context of the Social, Local and Mobile (SoLoMo) marketplace — and explore what it means for big brands, consumers, SMBs and the location industry. Learn from real-world successes in mobile-loco advertising, location platforms and more. Executives from Starbucks, Google, Waze, Facebook, Foursquare and leading investors will address these topics in a highly interactive setting.

Keynotes:

Legal Dynamics Between Co-Founders (NY Roundtable)

Sign up for the NY Founders Space Roundtable

Topic: Effective Team and Legal Dynamics Between Co-Founders

Presenters: Natalie Sulimani of Sulimani Law Firm, P.C., additional panelists TBD.

Event Host: Freeman White of Launcht

Registration: Please note–to attend you must be registered for building security purposes.