Week of May 2 - May 8, 2005 ~ v.7, n.18
Top Stories

Idun's Steve Mento to Keynote Venture Forum 2005
Dr. Steve Mento, President and CEO of Idun Pharmaceuticals, will be a Keynote Speaker at Larta Institute's 2005 Venture Forum, America's largest showcase of top-tier emerging companies, May 25-26, 2005. Dr. Mento is scheduled to speak on Day 1 of the Venture Forum, May 25, which is devoted to life sciences companies funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Spotlight on Israel - World Class Life Sciences Cluster
BioIsrael 2005, May 25-26 in Tel Aviv, showcases talent and opportunity.
Israel boasts one of the most innovative life sciences clusters in the world, with world class research and development, strong indigenous talent, a rich pool of entrepreneurial talent and a supportive infrastructure.

Shukla in E-Commerce Times
Larta Institute CEO Rohit Shukla was extensively quoted in Indian Outsourcing Boom Just Starting, an article that appeared April 26, 2005 in E-Commerce Times. "Shukla and I have been in discussions with the government of Pakistan on strategies for expanding its IT industry," writes columnist Anthony Mitchell.

Congressional Actions Challenge EDA Revamp
U.S. Senate blocks key element of the White House plan to consolidate most economic development programs within the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Available Now from Larta Research!
2005 Federal Technology Funding Guide
Larta Institute's annual guide to government technology funding is recognized as the nation's leading survey on Federal technology funding opportunities. Winning Government R&D Money: Federal Technology Funding Guide 2005 provides detailed information on Federal funding processes, programs, and ways to win government R&D money.
purchase report now for only $99

Send comments and submissions to James Klein, Larta VOX Editor, at voxeditor@larta.org

Larta University


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."

May 5: 2005 Employment Laws That Impact Your Business
Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law for 2005, several new federal and state employment laws and regulations that will impact your business. It is critical that your human resources and personnel directors and managers understand the implications of these new laws as well as the deadlines for compliance. Among the new laws that will be discussed are: changes to California's "Sue Your Boss" law; pending regulations regarding employee meal periods and rest breaks; mandatory sexual harassment training for managers and supervisors; new benefits for registered domestic partners; Workers' Compensation Act revisions; revisions in employee documentation;
Paid Family Leave Insurance policy; and important new court decisions.

Location: West Los Angeles

May 12: Entrepreneurship Series #8: Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Business Presentations
Many presentations often contain too much of the wrong information (or just too much information) and not enough of the essentials. Entrepreneurs and technologists have to translate complex, broad technology business concepts and plans into succinct messages that intrigue and interest venture capitalists, customers and corporate partners. This 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.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles

Larta University's Course Schedule

Tech Sector News
Sponsored by LATimes.com

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Biotechnology
State's biotech industry is tops (San Francisco Chronicle)
California hasn't lost its edge in biotech despite raids by other states eager to lure away its high-paying jobs, a report on the state's biotech industry concluded.

more Biotech news

Communications
MCI Awaits New Verizon Bid (Red Herring)
Qwest's bid of $30 per share may be "superior," but Verizon has until Friday to sweeten its $23.10 bid for MCI.

more Communications news

Consumer Electronics
An X-Factor for the New Xbox? (BusinessWeek)
Better sound and HDTV quality should be impressive. Best of all, though, could be Microsoft's potential six-month jump on the competition.
more Consumer Electronics news

Internet
CNN on the Spam Attack? (Wired)
The blogosphere is buzzing with rumors about a strange viral marketing campaign concerning CNN, that may be promoting the cable channel or squelching criticism of it -- or perhaps both at the same time.
more Internet news

Investments
Venture Funding Down in Q1 (Red Herring)
VC investment dropped 16.4 percent as fewer startups got funding than at any point in the past five years.
more Investment news

Media
Sirius Hops on Podcast Bandwagon (Wired)
Sirius Satellite Radio is latching onto the podcasting phenomenon, launching a show later this month that will feature a daily selection of the increasingly popular do-it-yourself audio programs
.
more Media news

Nanotechnology
Nanotech Patents Proliferate (Red Herring)
Study quantifies huge, complicated body of intellectual property generated by entrepreneurs of tiny, complicated technology.
more Nanotech news

Software
How Intuit Quickened Sales (BusinessWeek)
By watching users closely, the outfit improved its software, boosted shipments, and speedily revived revenues after a disappointing year.
more Software news

Events Calendar

This calendar lists events endorsed by Larta Institute.

May 5: 2005 Employment Laws That Impact Your Business
Among the new laws that will be discussed at this Larta University workshop: changes to California's "Sue Your Boss" law; pending regulations regarding employee meal periods and rest breaks; mandatory sexual harassment training for managers and supervisors; new benefits for registered domestic partners; Workers' Compensation Act revisions; revisions in employee documentation; Paid Family Leave Insurance policy; and important new court decisions.

May 7: Latest Development in Information Technology
Southern California Monte Jade Science & Technology Association presents Latest Development in Information Technology: what does it mean to you or your Business? Experts from different areas in Information Technology will be invited as panelists. Views on the latest development in Internet infrastructure, security, applications, operation systems, software and hardware will be presented. Possible effects of the technology advancement to us as well as to the business communities will be discussed. A panel discussion will follow the presentations. All attendees are invited to participate in the discussion.

May 9: Tech Coast Angels: Fifth Annual Fast Pitch
Attend the unique entrepreneur's competition and networking event of the year. Network with hundreds of investors and entrepreneurs. Enjoy a sumptuous walk-around dinner and wine. Watch the finalists in the competition present their one-minute "fast pitch" for investor interest (their "elevator pitch") to a panel of Angel investors and Venture Capital investors, who give immediate feedback. Free coaching of contestants is provided by Tech Coast Angels at five coaching sessions starting April 19th.

May 10: Venture Capital from the Shores of the Mediterranean to the Shores of the Pacific - Expanding Opportunities between Israel and California
A panel of accomplished international investors explore the current venture capital market for investment between Israel and California through the eyes of California VCs, Israeli VCS, and Israeli companies doing business in California. Attendees will learn about opportunities to invest in Israeli Companies, the hot companies to watch, as well as how to attract investment dollars for Israel-California ventures from both California and Israeli VCs.

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: The Art of Negotiation
WITI San Diego presents The Art of Negotiation at Avanir Pharmaceuticals Conference Center, 11404 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92130. Eric Klein, Esq. of Katten Muchin Zavis & Rozenman will deliver an interactive workshop that focuses on the skills and concepts necessary to be a skilled negotiator. Fees: Members $25- Non-Members $40. Contact Name: Jennifer Beckey (858-344-3825) Contact E-Mail jjbeckey@yahoo.com.

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 18-20: Director Training and Certification Program
The UCLA Anderson School of Management is hosting the Director Training and Certification Program. Designed for executives, and officers of private and public companies, the program covers every aspect of being a successful corporate director, including SEC regulations, FASB considerations, NYSE rules, and current best practices in corporate governance. Directors who complete this course and pass a written examination become "certified directors" and may be eligible for lower rates on D&O insurance. This program is ISS accredited; attendance may increase your ISS governance quotient. For information contact: 310-825-2001 or execed@anderson.ucla.edu.

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.

May 26: CONNECT Technology Entrepreneur Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame, CONNECT’s highest honor, celebrates San Diego entrepreneurs who paved the way for the technological innovations and businesses of today and who continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs. Join us for the inaugural Hall of Fame luncheon honoring Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Co-founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of QUALCOMM Inc.

May 28-June 5: Gateway to China Trade Mission
Asia Pacific - USA Chamber of Commerce presents an 8-day event specially designed for U.S. business exploration and proliferation in China’s telecommunications and information technology markets. Participants will benefit from customized, prescreened appointments with potential business partners, market briefings, and networking opportunities at hospitality events. Plus -- as a special bonus -- entry to the 5th Annual Forum on City Informatization in the Asia pacific Region (CIAPR) and the 2nd Shanghai International Exhibition on Information, both events are organized by Mayor Office of Shanghai, the Ministry of Science & Technology of PRC, the Ministry of Information Industry of PRC and UNITAR/UNIDO an other organizations. Those two events will bring senior-level government decision makers and business executives of telecom/IT industries from four (4) provinces near Shanghai, about two thousand (2000) Chinese companies will display at the Expo.

May 30 - June 2: Shanghai International Exhibit on Informatization
This EXPO brings together China’s senior-level business decision makers of the telecom/IT industries from four (4) provinces near Shanghai, about two thousand (2000) Chinese companies will display at the Expo. It serves as the direct access to your ideal market in China as well as the opportunity to effectively network with your target perspectives. It will be the biggest opportunity for exposure to China’s telecom and information technology industry. For more info. contact Stacy Sun 800-665-3609 or stacysun@apucc.org.

June 1: Southern California Israel Chamber of Commerce Achievement Awards Gala
Southern California Israel Chamber of Commerce will present The Innovative Business Award to Rohit Shukla, Larta Institute's Founder and CEO; The Community Service Award to Baruch Littman, VP, Development, Jewish Community Foundation, and Founding Executive Director, California Israel Chamber of Commerce; The Financial Services Award to United Mizrahi Bank Ltd.'s Dr. S. Baravarian and Jacob Wintner; The Visionary Leadership Award to Joseph M. Polisar, Chief of Police of Garden Grove, California, and Immediate Past President, International Association of Chiefs of Police.

June 1: The Jerusalem Conference on Homeland Security
The United States Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF), Standard Institute of Israel (SII) and Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) are co-sponsoring the Jerusalem Conference on Homeland Security on Wednesday, June 1st, 2005, at the Renaissance Hotel, Jerusalem. The meeting will bring together distinguished top executives of large US corporations, influential US Government officials and key players in the US Homeland Security (HS) market with key Israeli players and decision-makers in this market from Industry, Government and the Defense System. Over 500 participants are expected to attend.

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.

June 9: Entrepreneurship Series #9: Attracting Capital: Financing Strategies for the New Venture
This Larta University workshop considers different financing strategies, including VC financing, angel financing, government funding, and loans. You will learn what is required to approach each financing source, and when not to waste your time.

June 12-25: Emerging Minority Business Leaders Program
West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation, Inc.'s Emerging Minority Business Leaders (EMBL) program at West Liberty State College helps develop and empower minority students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology leaders. The focus of the course is on entrepreneurship and technology management, and includes a business plan competition, reimbursement up to $700 for travel expenses, free room and board, $1000.00 stipend paid after completion of program, and three graduate credits awarded to rising Undergraduate Juniors and above.


June 21-22: Telecom M&A and Corporate Development Conference
Strategic Research Institute's 2005 Telecom M&A and Corporate Development Conference will bring together an illustrious faculty of leading corporate and strategic buyers from the telecoms community to share their perspective on investment opportunities, challenges and critical issues facing the industry today!

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

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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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