Hey, entrepreneurs, we’re living in a bubble
Josh Green, Panjiva

No, not that kind of bubble. The bubble we’re living in is actually much more dangerous than the classic tech bubbles that inevitably come and go, because this particular bubble may well prevent American entrepreneurs from playing a leading role in shaping the future... The bubble I’m worried about is a 20th Century Bubble... Read more...

Energy Leadership and the DOE Loan Programs
Robert S. Salama, Seven Hills Partners, LLC

It is nearly impossible to open up a newspaper without some mention of Solyndra, the thin film solar company headquartered in Fremont, CA reorganizing under Chapter 11. At this point, surely the general public is familiar with the issue at hand – the Department of Energy (DOE) provided a $535 million loan guarantee to Solyndra in 2009, the first company to win an energy loan guarantee from the Obama administration, in what has been called a rush to get stimulus cash out the door... Read more...

Larta has has recently been awarded the contract to continue assisting USDA-funded entrepreneurs with their commercialization goals for another 3 years.

Since 2008, Larta's USDA-Commercialization Assistance Training Program (USDA-CATP) has assisted 115 agritech entrepreneurs strengthen their business plans, partnership activities, company infrastructure, investor readiness and IP portfolios. 18 of those companies reported back to Larta on raising over $8 million in the 9 months following the development of a Commercialization Strategy Report as part of the program.

Larta Hosts Virtual Event for Global Entrepreneurship Week

Larta is proud to have hosted an official event of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011: "The Globally Networked Approach to Commercializing Tech-Based Innovation". The webinar, targeted at entrepreneur support organizations, brought key players from the innovation ecosystem to discuss a new approach to building and cultivating networks for the benefit of entrepreneurs. Watch the recording here.

Global Entrepreneurship week is held once a year to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship as a growing movement. Each year, millions participate to learn, share new ideas and become inspired to seek a better way of doing things.

Larta Joins OECD for a Discussion on Fostering SME Growth - Video Highlights

Last month, Larta and OECD led a discussion on the growth of SMEs in an uncertain global environment. See the video highlights below or watch the entire forum.



Larta CEO to Lead Discussion on Entrepreneur Support Programs

Larta CEO, Rohit Shukla, will lead a discussion on mentoring, networking and support of entrepreneurs as a means of impacting the commercialization of their R&D. He will join other "managers of innovation" at the Global CONNECT Summit in December to share best practices and knowledge on strengthening US and international economies through the support of high-growth entrepreneurial enterprises.

Our pick of Larta-alumni companies that are making the news and already on their way to making it big!

Novophage Raises $5.75 Million

Novophage, a current Larta NSF-CAP1 participant recently raised $5.75 million in Series A financing from Chevron Technology Ventures, The Kraft Group, Flybridge Capital Partners, Founder Collective, and angel investors. The new financing will contribute to the company’s “Industrial Genome Project” focused on using bacteriophages to create targeted solutions to solve problems related to energy loss, corrosion, and product fouling in industrial systems.

Novophage Chairman & CEO Micah Rosenbloom believes “Larta has been helpful as a sounding board in the face of new information while also ensuring that we maximize our ability to secure government funding for our work that will ultimately have a positive impact on our water and food supplies, and our environment."

Intrinsic Bioprobes Acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific

Intrinsic Bioprobes, a three-time Larta NIH-CAP participant from 2004-2008, was recently acquired by one of the world’s largest manufacturers of scientific instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Intrinsic Bioprobes, applies mass spectrometry technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease. By adding technologies acquired through Instrinsic Bioprobes to their arsenal, Thermo Fisher can now create a complete, integrated workflow for the quantitative detection of protein biomarkers. Read more here.

Digital Family Reunion
December 8, 2011 - Wokcano Restaurant, Santa Monica, CA

The 4th annual Digital Family Reunion we'll celebrate the connectedness of the digital media industry in Southern California. Dynamic and well-connected media, entertainment, technology and finance professionals will gather in celebration of the industry and each other.

Larta’s network is invited to register here at a discounted rate of $30 using promo code DFR13.

New Paradigms to Fund & Move Biotech
January 10-12, 2011 - Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, San Francisco, CA

New Paradigms is guided by key individuals from biotech, pharma and the investment community to advance R&D through alternative sources of funding, non-traditional partnering strategies and innovative approaches to drug approval for the successful commercialization of new therapies. Co-located at the same time as the JP Morgan Healthcare event, on-site networking partnering services are available to registered attendees. The pre-conference Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, also offered as a stand-alone event, covers how to build a biotech company and assess decisions to do an IPO. Use discount code CANP for 20% off registration.


Visit our Events Calendar for a list of Larta's partners' events.