March 04 , 2002 ~ v.4, n.9

 


Larta is the think tank for technology businesses. We apply knowledge in practical ways on behalf of cutting edge companies, investors, governments, and professionals. Larta drives the technology markets through four core activities: business training, market research, consulting, and capital/knowledge conferences.

Sign up for Larta University - equipping innovators with sound business fundamentals. Visit www.old.larta.org/Lartau.

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Los Angeles, CA 90089-7727
Tel: (213) 743-4150
Fax: (213) 747-7307
www.old.larta.org

Entreworld - a world of resources for entrepreneurs

The Tough Sell
As the VC industry is increasingly apprehensive of new investments and preoccupied with later-stage companies, startups will have an increasingly difficult challenge in the road ahead to prove there is a real market for their innovations beyond the wonder of the technology itself.
full article>

~Other Articles

Topic: Digital Media
Mouse grouse: Disney boss lays into computer biz (Hollywood Reporter)
Walt Disney President and CEO Michael Eisner accused some computer manufacturers of profiting from copyright piracy during a contentious hearing Thursday before the Senate Commerce Committee."The killer app for the computer industry is piracy," Eisner told the committee during its hearing examining copyright problems in the digital realm. "They think their short-term growth is predicated on pirated content."
full article>

Topic: Finance
Why Should Anyone Believe You? (Business 2.0)
What ruined Enron wasn't just accounting. It was a culture that valued appealing lies over inconvenient truths. Are you sure your company is all that different?
full article>

~Coming Soon from Larta:

The Sand Dollar Report 2002: An Analysis of Venture Investing in Southern California
(featuring Data from the MoneyTree survey)


sponsored by

Eight years after the initial Larta report on the venture capital industry of Southern California (1994), the region has undergone a considerable transformation, reflective of the sea change in the regional economy itself. Southern California is one of the most diverse economies in the country, and, not surprisingly, has the most diverse venture capital investments of any comparable region in the country. And while venture investors in the region have been on a recent roller coaster of rapid growth and even more rapid decline, many of them remain optimistic, yet realistic, about the opportunities ahead. This report on the venture capital industry of Southern California features comprehensive new information and data (including regions of San Diego and Santa Barbara), with interviews from leading investors in the region.

Interviewees Include:

Brad Jones, Founding Partner, Redpoint Ventures
Joel Balbien, Managing Member, Smart Technology Ventures
Ted Alexander, General Partner, Mission Ventures
Bridget Karlin, Senior Director, Redleaf Group
Sydney Edwards, Principal, TL Ventures

~Larta Events

March 7: Venture Salon
Larta's Venture Salon is the exclusive quarterly conference for the venture industry. This time, we feature the premiere of the 2002 Sand Dollar report and some selected, trained companies that best exemplify technology trends. Pricewaterhouse Coopers is partnering with Larta, and Larta's Sand Dollar Report (on venture investing in Southern California) will be published in collaboration with PwC's MoneyTree Report. Thursday, March 7 from 2 to 5:00 p.m. in Santa Monica.
Attendance is very limited, accredited investors only.
more information>

March 20 & 21: Larta University, Attracting Capital
This workshop covers various aspects and opportunities available to companies interested in attracting capital. The class will cover the different types of financing options, and the pros and cons of each of those, from government funding, to loans, to all stages of VC financing, and how to decide what type of capital a business is best suited for. This session will also address how to pitch a company, and how to negotiate business deals. The workshop is led by a panel of investors, with practice pitch sessions performed.
more information>

April 18th: Southern California Technology Venture Forum
Knowledge and Investment Conference
Come to SCTVF 2002 to learn about emerging markets--including nanotechnology, security technologies, and bioscience. Renowned keynote speakers will present industry analyses on these emerging markets, followed by a select group of companies representing the best technologies in Southern California. SCTVF is the meeting point for anyone who needs to know about the state of cutting-edge technology--venture capitalists, corporate investors, private investors, analysts, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. 7:30 am-2:30 pm, Regent Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, California.
more information>

~Announcements

Call Center for sale
Larta is selling a Harris 20-20 Call Center, including switch, control station, and 40 government spec phones. This top-of-the-line call center includes a dual tower, redundant switch, which can handle 1000 simultaneous incoming and outgoing phone calls. Bought in 1998 for over $400,000 and used for only a few months (estimated having ever handled only 1000 calls TOTAL), the Center includes videos, manuals, etc. Dozens of photos of the unit can be seen at here. Contact Steven Klein at sklein@old.larta.org to make an offer or get further details. Selling for $75,000 or best offer.

Marina Del Rey Commercial Property Available
Best high tech office deal ready to go, new space $1.25 psf . This offering consists of three buildings, each unique, which may be leased separately, or combined in several ways to accommodate a wide variety of uses. The entire exterior of this campus has just been completely renovated. The property is located 2 miles west of the 405 Freeway and 1 mile from the Marina Freeway, and is within minutes of LAX and blocks of the Pacific Ocean.
more information>

This events calendar is provided as a service by Larta about events vetted and endorsed by Larta.

March 4-6: Foundation for Enterprise Development Presents: "The Inspired Company: Creating High Performance with Employee Ownership"
This is a program designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business leaders. To help you sort through the many issues involved in designing and implementing a good employee stock program, we have brought together in beautiful San Diego the leading experts from around the nation.
more information>

March 4-6: ctexpo
As it moves into its second decade, ctexpo continues to deliver comprehensive educational content on the industry's most innovative technologies. From beginners to the most advanced developers, the program will feature content designed to fill in the gaps. Delegates will learn how to harness convergent technologies. How to bring together the hardware, applications, products, services, builders and channel players. How convergence connects diverse technologies with different protocols, business models & strategies, and how to make them work.
more information>

March 5: Larta ctexpo Luncheon Convergence Meets Consumers: New Applications, New Challenges
The growing applicability of convergence technologies has opened up opportunities and created challenges for a range of players, from vendors to service providers and end users. This ctexpo luncheon held March 5 will feature a conversation between platform creators, web services providers and digital media experts.
more information>

March 7: WITI Los Angeles presents How Have We Changed the Way TV, Movies and Music are Made
Join WITI-LA for a dynamic panel discussion in the landmark Steven J. Ross Theatre on the Warner Brothers studio lot. Docents will be available to tour the adjacent Warner Brothers Museum. A special effects presentation will also be held at this gala event.
more information>

March 11-14: SBIR Conference
Learn How to Tap into a Billion-Dollar Business Resource at the National Small Business Innovation Research Conference. Small businesses can learn how to apply for, and what it takes to win, some of the $1+billion in U.S. Government R&D investments at the March 11–14, 2002, National SBIR Conference in Anaheim. This conference offers some new features and sessions to address the questions and concerns of small businesses that want to learn more about SBIRs and of those who are already successful in Phase I and are looking to move forward into financing, partnering and commercialization. We've built more time into the agenda for substantial agency presentations and networking opportunities. Because the SBIR program is meant to help small businesses from start (concept and R&D) to finish (commercialization), we've included programming to help you identify what you need to do from the start to help you position yourself and your company to advance successfully to Phase III. Hyatt Regency Orange County Hotel Anaheim, CA.
more information>

April 4: Lava Investment Capital Conference
This event provides an opportunity to meet the resources you need to finance a high growth company. Presenting 65 Speakers and 70 Sponsors that provide Debt & Equity Public & Private Financings From $500 Thousand to $500 Million, including Steve Forbes, President and CEO, Forbes, Inc., Leo Spiegel, General Partner of Mission Ventures, and Donald Straszheim, Former Chief Economist, Merrill Lynch & Co.
more information>

April 29-May 1: Nanotechnologies Initiative: From Vision Towards Commercialization, in Washington D.C.
 The National Nanotechnology Initiative, the Federal government's investment in the future of nanotechnology, serves as a major force in shaping the direction of the Nation's nanotechnology research and development activities. Dr. Michael Roco and key representatives from the departments and agencies participating in the NNI, the six nanoscale science and engineering centers, and several important government laboratories will provide a comprehensive, in-depth status report and outlook for NNI research, including budgets, priorities, research projects, outcomes and prospects for commercialization at the upcoming conference. Speakers include Lynn Foster, Larta's Director of Technology Consulting.
more information>

Larta's full event calendar >

 

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