larta is a trusted advisor to the investment, technology, and startup community of Southern California. larta is an independent, private nonprofit company originally created by California legislation. For a complete listing of larta's programs and activities, please visit www.larta.org. Download larta's Annual Report Download The Sand Dollar Report: An Analysis of Venture Investing on the Digital Coast 2001 746 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90089-7727 Tel: (213) 743-4150 Fax: (213) 747-7307 www.larta.org

1. Pitch Perfecting: The Venture Forum Mentor Process
"The way the mentoring sessions are set up is the way it should be in the real world," said technology and business publicist Tracy Williams, who serves on one of the Southern California Technology Venture Forum's (SCTVF) eight mentor teams. The unique mentoring process has positioned SCTVF as the premier platform for new technologies, giving the presenting entrepreneurs the pitch-training their companies--and potential investors--deserve.
Click here for the full article

2. Tuesday, April 17, 2001, Century Plaza Hotel, Century City: Southern California Technology Venture Forum, The Epicenter of Emerging Markets
It's the 7th Annual Southern California Technology Venture Forum, where you'll hear from 16 of Southern California's hottest technology investment prospects. Hand-picked from a field of over 100 companies - and mentored by the best business minds in Southern California - this year represents the debut of companies at the edge of innovation in biomedicine, communications infrastructure, digital asset protection, real-time information management, media and signaling gateways and application enterprise integration, to highlight a few. It's the longest running forum of its kind, having jumpstarted over $400 million in investment financing for companies. And this year's field is one of the most promising yet.

Join:
* Todd Springer - Trident Capital
* Brad Jones - Redpoint Ventures
* Tom Clancy - Enterprise Partners
* Joseph Marks - Smart Technology Ventures
* Jeffrey Starr - Mission Ventures
* Klaus Koch - Kline Hawkes & Co.
* Tony Hung - Dynafund Ventures
*Jim Cole - Windward Ventures
And hear from the newest leaders in technology

WE HELP INVESTORS SEPARATE HOPE FROM HYPE
Register today at www.TheVentureForum.com

For questions email info@TheVentureForum.com or call 213/743-4267

Meet, Mix and Mingle:
Highlight of Featured Events
This event bulletin is provided as a service by larta on behalf of various partner organizations and about events vetted and endorsed by larta.

April 17: Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum - Venturing in Knowledge Management: The Next Big Thing?
A panel of industry analysts, investors, technologists and CEOs looks at the venturing opportunities in knowledge management software while examining the progress and plans of two emerging knowledge management software ventures.
click here for more information

April 19: larta's State Funding Workshop
Technology companies can win up to $250,000 to bring their products to market. larta manages a grant program - the California Technology Investment Partnership (CalTIP) - that provides up to $250,000 in state funds to match federal technology awards. Catch the final informational workshop on April 19.
Click here for more information

April 24: Women In Technology International (WITI) Happy Hour
Mixing and mingling with fabulous women from the technology and entertainment worlds. At The Friar's Club in Beverly Hills. Contact: dianne@SMCI.com

Copyright © 2001 larta. All rights reserved. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to those who may be interested. Permission to quote any proprietary part of this material is granted given proper credit. Distribution is allowed provided that no modifications are made to the original content.