Technology Transfer: When The Buzz Is The Problem
The buzz of technology transfer has become a problem, because it suggests a "model," a scheme for the creation of value based on nuggets that operate inside complex, closed environments.
click here for the full article from Rohit Shukla, larta CEO

larta's Project T2: Turning Technology Into Profitable Business
Many of the various obstacles that spring up during a technology transfer process can be traced back to the cultural and knowledge chasm that springs up between researchers and the business world. If commercialization efforts ultimately succeed, the transition will almost always have been an agitating education for all involved. If it fails, as it frequently does, it's an alienating and frustrating process.
click here for the full article

Related Articles

Universities Join Forces to Spur Entrepreneurs
A number of leading European engineering and business schools have banded together to create an international association that aims to foster high-tech entrepreneurship.
click here for the full article from Industry Standard

Investment News

Digestion Period
A popular refrain among VCs in the layoff-prone energy starved world of Silicon Valley recently is that this is ?the best possible time to start a company.
click here for the full article from Silicon India.com

Elite VC giants still investing, if it's a home-run promise
Now that they've gone gorilla size, will the elite venture capital firms help stem the downturn in venture capital investing? After the April 2000 market crash, elite VCs scrambled to triage their portfolios. Only recently have they started to peer out of the graveyard.
click here for the full article from Silicon Valley.com

Technology News

Bertelsmann has a find in MyPlay
German record giant Bertelsmann AG paid a reported $30 million for MyPlay.com, a struggling Redwood City-based Internet music service whose ability to raise cash shriveled along with dot-com euphoria, forcing it to shop for a potential suitor.
click here for the article from Silicon Valley.com

Polaroid To Unveil Two Ways To Print Digital Photographs
Polaroid will unveil two high-speed technologies Thursday for digitally printing photographs that the company hopes will turn around its financial fortunes.
click here for the article from The Wall Street Journal

TechNet CEOs Unite to Fight Anti-Tech Bills in California State House
click here to read the letter from TechNet

Announcements

Larta University
June 6 and 7: The Business Plan: Balancing Business with Vision
For companies who are in the planning stages of starting their business, a thorough understanding of critical areas of business plan development is vital. This second session of Larta University covers all phases of business plan development: planning for the specific market and the economic context, the value proposition, corporate structures, revenue models, and tying all the information into a comprehensive strategy.
click here for more information

Venture Salon
larta's Venture Salon is currently accepting 1-2 page executive summaries for review for the upcoming private showcase. The larta Venture Salons are exclusive, private, invitation-only showcases for the most promising technology startups in the region that are ripe for investment. Select companies will have the opportunity to present themselves to a small group of premier investors. Each Venture Salon showcases approximately 7 emerging companies that have been carefully screened and mentored in a two-day, intensive workshop. Email executive summaries by June 11th to Stefanie Chao at schao@old.larta.org
click here for more information

Meet, Mix and Mingle:
Highlight of Featured Events

June 1: Applications due for Cal-IT 2001
If you are looking for funding and partnering opportunities, Europe is a viable option, and Cal-IT 2001 is an important event. Hosted by the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, Cal-IT is a partnering and investment forum held annually to introduce the fifty 'hottest' pre-IPO, California-based technology companies to a Pan-European audience of strategic partners and investors. Interested companies need to apply by June 1!
click here for more information

June 6 and 7: Larta University: The Business Plan, Balancing Business with Vision
This second session of Larta University covers all phases of business plan development: planning for the specific market and the economic context, the value proposition, corporate structures, revenue models, and tying all the information into a comprehensive strategy. The half-day workshops are held in both Costa Mesa and Santa Monica.
click here for more information

June 6 & 7: VOJO in Pasadena and Santa Monica
Vojo networking events help professionals in New Media, Technology, Internet and Communications industries build critical relationships, find strategic partners and increase the channels to professional opportunities. Vojo events provide an informal atmosphere to help build a network of contacts. It's the best possible environment to get to know someone and build a business relationship. The June 6th event is at Q's, located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. The June 7th event is located at Gotham Hall on 3rd St. between Santa Monica Blvd. & Broadway in Santa Monica.
click here for more information

June 12: LAVA: The Rising Trend of Corporate Venture Capital Investing
In these choppy markets, there is one group of venture capitalists bucking the trend. Come and hear what a panel of leading corporate venture capitalists representing industry titans have to say about their increasing activities in investing across several company development stages. 7-9:15 a.m. in Pacific Palisades.
click here for more information

June 13: BioBrew
BioBrew is a professional networking organization for business professionals, academic scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and service providers in the biomedical and life science fields. The Westwood microbrewery is the ideal place for "biopeople" in the LA area to meet, swap business cards and exchange ideas. 6-8:30 p.m. at the Westwood Brewing Company. Free admission. Free appetizers. Cash bar.
click here for more information

June 16: "Growing Pains: Fundamentals for Companies Experiencing Smart Growth"
larta's sister organization, the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance, presents Growing Pains. This seminar will serve as a critical guide, helping CEOs of early stage companies establish the fundamental practices to grow rapidly and prepare for exit. The two panels, designed to be interactive, will explore the core strategies--and experiences--to help CEOs avoid making critical mistakes and ensure rapid and smart growth. Hear from successful entrepreneurs, investors and service providers of what it takes to experience smart growth. Featuring: Todd Gutschow, Co-founder of HNC Software; Brian Kenner, Cofounder and former CTO of INTERVU, Inc.; Nick Sturiale, Sevin Rosen Fund; and Scott Alderton, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP - just to name a few. 8 a.m. to 12 noon in San Diego.
click here for more information

June 23: Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum - "Venturing In Wireless and Mobile Technology: Separating Money From Mirage"
A panel of entrepreneurs and industry experts takes a fresh and hard look at the promise of wireless and mobile technology and its potential for new and viable ventures. Featured speakers include: Tracy Trent, President and CEO, Stellcom, Inc.; Joel Balbien, Managing Member, Smart Technology Ventures; Joseph Cadieux, Enterprise Solutions Group, Palm, Inc.; Joseph Lawrence, Director of Global Technology Marketing, Qualcomm Incorporated; Bruce Perens, Open Source Evangelist, Hewlett-Packard Company; Katrina Barillova, Founder and CEO, Fusion Technology; Ari Kaplan Co-Founder, President and CEO, PocketDBA Systems, LLC; and Moderated by Michael Krieger Lecturer, UCLA Computer Science Department.
click here for more information

July 31 - August 1: Herring In Hollywood
An enormous, uncharted entertainment market is emerging. As bandwidth grows three times faster than computing power, Red Herring takes on Hollywood?s multi-billion dollar bazaar and explores its undiscovered stories, emerging trends, and unique business opportunities. No longer just "Herring on Hollywood," this executive-level event has been redefined from the ground up. Now, "Herring In Hollywood" will explore the entire digital entertainment marketplace.
Click here for more information

October 18-19: FilmIT - Mark your calendars!
larta is proud to support the Film Information Technology Conference & Exposition (FilmIT) --it is the premier, business-to-business event that examines the convergence of the Motion Picture and Technology Industries. FilmIT creates an unparalleled program for IT and film executives to explore the impact that cutting-edge technologies have on Hollywood through an extensive, senior level conference forum, keynote presentations, case studies, workshops, networking events and vendor demonstrations.
click here for more information

 

LA VOX is provided weekly as a free service to you by larta - the technology alliance for Southern California. LA VOX is made possible by the generous support of: Ernst and Young Akin Gump Technology Ventures Grubb and Ellis Mission Ventures State of California Technology Trade & Commerce Agency

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.