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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."

April 14: Entrepreneurship Series #7: Moving the Product: Sales & Distribution Strategies
Companies should be aware of all the sales and distribution channels available, determine which ones would be most appropriate, and how to manage them to expedite growth. Companies have managed to prosper immensely from building the right alliances, where businesses share valuable assets ranging from a customer base to marketing activities, from suppliers and procurement to product development. Topics covered in this course include: how to sell, getting the most out of distribution networks, and forming valuable strategic alliances.
Location: West Los Angeles

April 19: Mergers & Acquisitions
It is virtually every entrepreneur’s dream to build 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 versus 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 what makes a successful acquisition candidate and what a business can do to maximize value before the sale process and how the M&A process works and how to maximize value during the sale process.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles

Larta University's Course Schedule

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Biotechnology
Pfizer’s profit prescription (Red Herring)
Pfizer draws criticism with plan to market a promising cholesterol drug only in combination with Lipitor.
more Biotech news

Communications
Qwest's Sweetened Offer Puts MCI on the Hot Seat (Washington Post)
With Qwest Communications International Inc. adding another stack of cash to its takeover offer, MCI's board of directors yesterday began weighing whether to sell their company for Qwest's dollars or Verizon's promise of long-term stability.
more Communications news

Consumer Electronics
Wireless in Nawlins (CNet News)
Phones and wireless gadgets were all over New Orleans this week, as CTIA Wireless 2005 came to town. Although people had plenty to celebrate, not all was easy in the Big Easy.
more Consumer Electronics News

Government
Researcher: R&D credit might be misused (San Jose Mercury News)
A multibillion-dollar tax credit for business research and development cannot be effectively administered by the IRS and might be misused, according to research to be presented to Senate tax writers.
more Government news

Hardware
Suddenly, It's Fast Forward at TiVo (BusinessWeek)
The digital video recording service's Comcast deal delivers 21.5 million potential new users and transforms a faltering player into the industry's star.
more Hardware news

Internet
Court Ruling May Force EBay to Scrap 'Buy-It-Now' Feature (Los Angeles Times)
EBay Inc.'s U.S. site could be forced to abandon its popular "buy-it-now" feature — which accounts for nearly a third of the value of goods sold by the online auctioneer — as a result of a court ruling this week, analysts said.
more Internet news

Investments
Memory of tech bubble now keeps investors wary (San Jose Mercury News)
During the late 1990s and early 2000, investors had a love affair with technology companies on a scale that Silicon Valley had never seen before.
more Investment news

Security
The strange decline of computer worms (The Register)
Computer worms are becoming less commonplace as virus writers diversify their malware spreading tactics to create the maximum effect for the least possible effort.
more Security news

Semiconductors
Hey, Don't Toss Those Fishy Chips (Wired)
Consumer electronics could be a whole lot cheaper if chip manufacturers stopped throwing out all their defective chips, according to a researcher at the University of Southern California.
more Semiconductor news

Software
Oracle again outbids SAP for Retek (InforWorld)
Oracle increased its bid for Retek to $11.25 per share, again outbidding rival SAP in the tug-of-war for the retail software maker.
more Software news

This calendar lists events endorsed by Larta Institute.

April 5-8: Biomedicine Miniaturization 2005
The ASME Nanotechnology Institute is pleased to announce Biomedicine Miniaturization 2005 - a robust, timely and expanded training program to be offered from April 5-8, 2005 at the Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport Hotel. The Conference will be co-chaired by Abe Lee, Ph.D. of the University of California's Henry Samueli School of Engineering's Biomedical Engineering Department, Walt Baxter, Ph.D. of Medtronic, and Goran Matijasevic, Ph.D. of the University of California, Irvine. Register Today - Online Registration Closes on April 1, 2005!

April 5 - June 21: Pharmaceutical Product Development Program
University of California San Diego Extension is offering a 12-week program that provides a broad overview and a comprehensive understanding of the process of pharmaceutical product development and addresses issues in the development of novel pharmaceuticals. From preclinical safety studies to product labeling; from market analysis to manufacturing; from proof-of-concept to clinical trials—this course provides an overview of the challenges candidate therapeutics face en route to FDA approval and marketing.

April 7: WITI San Diego Biosciences SIG Educational Event
WITI San Diego presents an Educational Event: Moving Research Products into Clinical Diagnostics: "What You Need to Know" on Thursday, April 7, 2005, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Avanir Pharmaceuticals Conference Center, 11404 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121. Topics include: Clinical Diagnostics Industry, Customer Targets, Regulatory Issues, Legal Issues, Reimbursement, Marketing Tactics, and Sales Strategy & Execution. Join us for this introspective and informational event. $60.00 for members, $75 for non-members. For more information, contact Jennifer Beckey at 858 344-3825 or JJBeckey@yahoo.com.

April 14: Entrepreneurship Series #7: Moving the Product: Sales & Distribution Strategies
Topics covered in this Larta University course include: how to sell, getting the most out of distribution networks, and forming valuable strategic alliances.

April 19: Mergers & Acquisitions
This Larta University course will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn about the “path to liquidity”. The class will discuss what makes 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.

April 27: Investment Capital Conference 2005
Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) presents the Investment Capital ConferenceTM, Southern California’s foremost annual meeting of capital sources and capital seekers. Featuring a rich educational program, extensive networking and The Capital ZoneTM of equity and debt sources, the conference is the ideal place where executives from early-stage to middle-market companies can meet and learn from those who can finance their success.

April 28-30: Wireless Telecommunications Symposium
Exchange information on advances in mobile communications and wireless networking technology, management, applications, and security in a very pleasant Southern California conference environment with leaders and experts from industry, governmental agencies, and universities around the world at the Fourth Annual Wireless Telecommunications Symposium.

May 11-12: Early Stage East: Venture Capital Conference
Early Stage East has a fresh vision to bring emerging technologies to the forefront for its audience of venture capitalists, private investors, expert service providers and entrepreneurs on the East Coast. Early Stage East is the trendsetter in showcasing the most promising young companies in the tech industry.

May 12: Entrepreneurship Series #8: Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Business Presentations
This Larta U workshop will help you effectively communicate your value proposition to the audience, understanding what various audiences respond the best to. You will have an opportunity to practice your elevator pitch with mentors and peers so that you can leave with an effective, tried and tested pitch.

May 12-13: DesignTech Connect
Pasadena Entretec presents DesignTech CONNECT, the first business exchange for industrial design and advanced technology held in Los Angeles. Featuring product demonstrations, hands-on displays, and leading-edge technology and design, this celebration will spark unique business connections and provide excellent opportunities for seeding strategic business alliances and cultivating unprecedented business development in the Los Angeles foothills.

May 25-26: The Venture Forum 2005
America's largest showcase of top-tier emerging companies. This year's expanded two-day format features over 130 companies, including 75 National Institutes of Health SBIR Phase II grant winners.

June 1-3: IBF 16th Annual Venture Capital Investing Conference
The premier industry gathering for venture investors. Planned with the help of peer input to help you compare best practices and track industry trends, this industry meeting unites the most active venture investors.

July 11-14: National SBIR Phase II Conference
The National SBIR Phase II Conference, Beyond Phase II: Ready for Transition, will provide an unparalleled forum for scientists, engineers, and technology decision-makers to discuss transitioning SBIR-supported Research & Development into government and private sector commercial markets. With expected attendance of over 1000, this four-day conference will feature "Technology Matchmaking Meetings," pre-arranged, 20-minute sessions between small businesses and end users, and focused sessions on advanced Phase II topics.

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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Larta Institute
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Tel: (213) 744-1314
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Washington DC Office:
Larta Institute
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(703) 740-8330