SCTVF Company Spotlight: Maxima Corporation
As telecom and wireless companies struggle through a severe downturn, and venture capital activity in the space remains stagnant, last week Maxima Corporation defeated the market and investment climate, raising $4.2 million from the former vice president with Nortel's Optical Division, and two tech venture firms.
full article >

Recovery in the Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor industry has been known for its boom and bust cycles but its collapse in 2001 was the worst in the history of the industry, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)
full article >

The Future of Corporate Reporting from PricewaterHouse Coopers Your Link to Local Technology Jobs and Talent throughout California Sponsors 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 services: business training, market research, consulting, and capital programs. 714 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 750 Los Angeles, CA 90015 Tel: (213) 744-1314 Fax: (213) 744-1791 www.old.larta.org Orange County Office 7545 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618-2934 (949) 789-1110 Larta IT Sponsor Verizon Contact: Frank Nainoa Sponsorship For Information on sponsoring VOX or other Larta events or publications, email Carlos Gutierrez.

~Larta Announcements

Orange County Report Launch Event

Wednesday September 18, Conexant Systems, Newport Beach
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

This event marks the official launch of Larta's 2002 Orange County Report, Raising the Curtain: The Technology Economy of Orange County. The event will also be a networking opportunity for corporate executives, university administration, service professionals, entrepreneurs, and other key players in the region (and those affected by the region).
more information >

Larta Venture Salon September 13
The upcoming Venture Salon will focus on Orange County's technology community with an advanced briefing on Larta's latest research report, Raising the Curtain: the Technology Economy of Orange County as well as a PwC MoneyTree update on Venture Capital in the County.Venture Salon Chair: Randy Lunn, Palomar Ventures
more information >

Larta University September 11-12: Intellectual Property
Intellectual property can be the primary asset of a technology company, and strategic management of IP can attract capital and monetize revenue, and impact the long-term results of a company's success. This workshop covers the most crucial legal and business strategies any company should know before exposing its technology to a competitive marketplace, including: copyrighting and trade secrets, working with an independent contractor to develop a product, and licensing.
more information >

SCTVF 2002 company funding announcement
San Diego-based Maxima has raised $7.2M for its optical wireless transmission systems from Forrest Binkley Brown and Hamilton Apex Technology Ventures.
more information >

~Other Announcements

JETRO Los Angeles seeking applications for Invest In Japan Study Program
JETRO Los Angeles office will be nominating interested candidates from to participate in this program. The participant should be a senior level executive decision maker who seeks to expand or establish business in Japan. The primary criterion for inclusion in this program is the willingness of the participant to establish an office (small or large) or other infrastructure (repair facility, manufacturing plant, distribution warehouse etc.) in Japan. JETRO will arrange meetings with Japanese companies who can assist in the investment process of the overseas companies. JETRO will also introduce potential joint venture or technology licensing partners as well. For more information or to request an application, send an email to Masaru Nishiura, Director of Business Development.

~Larta in the News

O.C. tech community, universities must strengthen ties, study says (Orange County Register)
According to a report to be released (last) Wednesday, Orange County needs to strengthen the relationship between its universities and the local tech community or its status as a high-tech hot spot will be short-lived.
full article >

~Other Articles

Sponsored by: Sponsored by: LATimes.com

Business, Investment and Entrepreneurship:

New Rules Prolong Search For Corporate Directors (Wall Street Journal)
The once-routine task of finding a new director has become a time-consuming process for companies as demands for accountability rise and a host of new corporate-governance standards loom.
full article >


Digital Media :

Hollywood, Tech Piracy Efforts May Curtail Choices (Los Angeles Times)
Meeting the demand for secure content could limit consumers' use of TV shows, movies and songs.
full article >

Internet Video Game War Looms (Reuters)
A battle of the titans to watch this fall could be the competition between Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft for dominance of the Internet video game market.
full article >

The Even-More-Compact Disc (New York Times)
The record industry wants you to buy your music on a new kind of disc. Unlike a CD, the format will greatly restrict your ability to make digital copies. It will cost more than a prerecorded CD. And it will require you to invest a few hundred dollars in a new player.
full article >

Nanotech:

OLEDs get ready to light up the market for flexible screens (Small Times)
Small tech is heading to the small screen. Displays made of glowing plastic molecules called OLEDs promise brighter and cheaper alternatives to liquid crystal displays. Made of nanostructured polymer films, OLED screens based on technologies developed by companies such as Cambridge Display Technology and Kodak are beginning to hit the market.
full article >

Tech Education:

Bridging the Tech-Education Gap (Wired)
Many tax-paying parents want their kids to have access to technology in school. Their kids also want to use the Net more in class. But a computer doesn't automatically mean a good education, says one educator.
full article >

Is our children learning? (Red Herring)
Each year more than $5 billion is spent on computers in the classroom. But it's the tech companies that benefit.
full article >

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