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SSTI, the State Science and Technology Institute, calls Larta University one of the "...best programs in the country," having "...helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, implemented innovative programs, and assisted client companies to raise hundreds of millions of dollars."

December 2: Mergers & Acquisitions
Most entrepreneurs dream of building a business that eventually provides a significant monetary return to the company’s shareholders through a liquidity event. The two primary ways for a company to enact a liquidity event are through an IPO or through a partial or complete sale of the business. In 2001 and the first half of 2002, there were approximately 140 IPOs, and approximately 15,000 M&A transactions. This session will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn about the “path to liquidity”. The course will discuss the elements that make a successful acquisition candidate, what a business can do to maximize value before the sale process, how the M&A process works, and how to maximize value during the sale process.
Location: Los Angeles

December 9: How to Write a Winning SBIR Proposal
Winning federal money begins with a winning SBIR proposal. Get access to the millions of dollars that are set aside by the United States Government and private organizations to fund technology research and development activity. Sessions will touch on several general areas, including; the search process to find SBIR/STTR grants appropriate for your technology, general information about the culture and requirements of each agency offering these types of grants, and the business structures/collaborations/research plans found in winning proposals.
Location: Los Angeles

Larta University's Course Schedule

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Biotechnology
California Stem Cell Project Energizes Other States to Act (Los Angeles Times)
To keep researchers from being lured away, other funding efforts are in the works.
more Biotech news

Consumer Electronics
Why TV Will Never Be the Same (BusinessWeek)
Digital technologies mean more than just sharper pictures. Here's a look at three major trends they'll make possible.
more Consumer Electronics News

Hardware
Cisco: Nothing to Sniff At (BusinessWeek)
Though its growth isn't as lofty as before, its market dominance, healthy balance sheet, and low valuation make its stock a good pick.
more Hardware News

Internet
Wikipedia Creators Move Into News (Wired)
After doing much in recent years to revolutionize the way an encyclopedia can be built and maintained, the team behind Wikipedia is attempting to apply its collaborative information-gathering model to journalism.
more Internet news

Investments
`Idol' for start-ups (San Jose Mercury News)
Here's the biggest lie that entrepreneurs and venture capitalists tell themselves: We've learned our lesson. Silicon Valley's start-up culture thrives on boundless, even reckless optimism.
more Investment news

Media
Striking up digital video search (CNet News)
Google, Microsoft and Yahoo are quietly developing new search tools for digital video, foreshadowing a high-stakes technology arms race in the battle for control of consumers' living rooms.
more Media news

Security
Web on watch for common enemies (CNet News)
Security experts are watching out for attacks that burrow through two new flaws, warning that the vulnerabilities are a bigger threat because of people's reliance on the targeted software.
more Security news

Semiconductors
Sony, IBM, Toshiba Give Details of 'Cell' Chip (Reuters)
Companies unveiled some key details on the powerful new "Cell" processor the three are jointly producing to run next-generation computers, game consoles and TVs.
more Semiconductor news

Software
PeopleSoft: Beaten but Not Quitting (BusinessWeek)
Despite the overwhelming number of shares tendered to Oracle, the target's board won't budge. Final stop: A proxy battle?
more Software news

This calendar lists events endorsed by Larta Institute.

December 1: Two Potential Sources of Debt Capital in Japan: Public and Private
JETRO hosts an informative event featuring Asashi Fujimori, Deputy Chief Representative, DBJ Los Angeles Office, and Allen M. Sasaki, Vice President, Business Lending Division, Mizuho Corporate Bank of California.

December 2: Mergers & Acquisitions
This Larta University course will discuss the elements that make a successful acquisition candidate, what a business can do to maximize value before the sale process, how the M&A process works, and how to maximize value during the sale process.

December 6-8: Red Herring: Fall Conference 2004
The Red Herring Fall conference brings together executives of the Top 100 Innovators companies who drive change, CEOs, and executives from the financial community. Learn about the Top 10 trends that will dominate 2005. Strategically position your company for 2005 and beyond.

December 7-10: IPv6 Summit
The premier event to find out everything about the New Internet, also called Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), the IPv6 Summit includes a full day of tutorials and 3 days of expert presentations covering industry and government transition to the new Internet.

December 9: How to Write a Winning SBIR Proposal
This Larta University class will cover the search process to find SBIR/STTR grants appropriate for your technology, general information about the culture and requirements of each agency offering these types of grants, and the business structures/collaborations/research plans found in winning proposals.

December 15: Technolink Forecast 2005
This year's Technolink annual holiday celebration will examine how the 2005 political landscape affects the economic growth of California’s industries, and the effects of the integration of technology and borderless societies on California’s industries and workforce.

December 15: Digital Coast Holiday Reception
Digital Coast Roundtable invites its members to a night at the California Yacht Club. In its 6th year, the Digital Coast Holiday Reception is a tradition for Los Angeles entertainment and technology industry leaders.

January 20, 2005: Entrepreneurship Series #4: Protecting Your Technology: Intellectual Property Rights
This Larta University workshop covers the most crucial legal and business strategies any company should know before exposing its technology to a competitive marketplace, including: copyrighting and trade secrets, working with an independent contractor to develop a product, and licensing.

February 1-2, 2005: Nanotech Investing Conference
IBF's 4th Annual Nanotech Investing Conference will cover investing trends, deal structures, intellectual property, and the commercialization process of nanotechnology.

February 3-5, 2005: 2005 AUTM Annual Meeting: Looking ForwardSM
Join the discussion about the future of technology transfer at the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) 2005 Annual Meeting: Looking ForwardSM. This meeting regularly gathers more than 1,500 technology transfer and intellectual property professionals from across the globe. Learn, share and network with these leaders in the field as they share their knowledge of the practices and skills that bring innovation to the public. For details, visit AUTM's Web site at www.autm.net and click on "events" for details, or contact AUTM headquarters at autm@autm.net or 847-559-0846.

Larta Institute's Events Calendar

Larta Institute
connecting people to drive innovation

We bring people together to move technologies into the marketplace. Our client solutions include: conferences, training workshops, technology transfer, advisory services, and research and analysis.

Since 1993, companies helped by Larta Institute have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Larta Institute's conferences and seminars provide insights to thousands of businesspeople each year. Larta Institute's weekly electronic magazine on business innovation is read by over 20,000 people.

www.Larta.org

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