Week of May 5-11, 2003 ~  v.5, n.18
Digital Tug of War
Despite battles in and out of the courtroom, the Internet music industry has made little progress since the time of Napster.
full article >

Now Available from Larta: Medical Devices
The U.S. medical device industry has been a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy. The U.S. medical device industry is the largest in the world, representing an estimated 5,750 companies and generating over $55 billion in 2002. Furthermore, the U.S. medical device industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 9% in coming years.
more information >

Technology Guide Helps Companies Find Government Funding
 Larta has published its latest edition of the most comprehensive resource on government funding programs for technology R&D, Winning Government Money: 2003 Federal Technology Funding Guide. Sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the report is recognized as the nation's leading survey on technology funding by the Federal government (over $90 billion per year), and serves a pressing need for technology companies seeking information on Federal funding.
more information >

Growthink Study Finds Sharp Decline in So Cal Venture Funding
On the heels of the recently released PwC MoneyTree Survey and Larta's own Sand Dollar Report, Growthink Research’s Southern California Venture Capital Report (1Q 03) also notes a decline in venture capital and investment in the region. As PwC and Larta's reports indicated, the decline in Southern California is smaller than in other regions in the U.S.
more information >

Larta Events

2003 Nano Republic Conference
Larta's 2003 Nano Republic Conference July 10th is a leading national conference where you can learn how to use Nanotech in commercial products. Industry leaders will cover the practical issues of engineering, design, and integration. Meet companies that are using Nanotech today. Hear from winners of the Nano Republic Awards and learn about today's most important Nanotech products and services.
more information >

Larta University

May 13 & 28: PwC Expert Access #4: Revenue Recognition
Revenue recognition continues to be a serious concern in the financial community, particularly in the tech sector. This course will focus on the key revenue recognition principles that can be used by emerging technology companies.
Locations: West L.A. & Irvine
more information >

May 14 & 15: Entrepreneurship Series #1: Strategic Planning For Your Venture
This first session of the Entrepreneurship Series addresses ways entrepreneurs use strategic planning to turn business inspiration - concepts, ideas, assets, and intellectual property - into a profitable company.
Locations: Irvine & West LA
more information >

May 21: Economic Research Briefing: What's Next in Electronic Gaming?
The worldwide gaming industry represented a colossal market of $20.7 billion in 2002, fueled in part by a surge in sales of game consoles. The industry is expected to grow even further as new game systems emerge and gaming software improves. Larta hosts an Economic Research Briefing to explore, explain, and detail trends in the electronic gaming industry.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
more information >

June 3: Successful Negotiation #1
This first session provides participants with a professional, structured approach to negotiation that increases the likelihood of success and decreases adverse consequences of negotiation. Taking a holistic approach, participants learn how to prepare effectively, how to commence and conduct a negotiation, and how to use special methods and tactics that professionals commonly employ.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
more information >

June 11 & 12: Entrepreneurship Series #2: The Road Map: Writing an Effective Business Plan
This session covers all phases of business plan development, including: identifying objectives, understanding what investors look for, the value proposition, tailoring strategies to a specific market and economic context, and creating the elements of a business plan.
Locations: Irvine and West LA
more information >

Other Articles
Sponsored by LATimes.com

Where the Action Is (Fortune)
Some in Silicon Valley have learned to stop worrying and love the bust. Here's why.
full article >

How to Pay the Piper (The Economist)
As lawsuits fly, a new service offers a simple way to pay for music online.
full article >

A Comeback To Be Doubted (Washington Post)
A run-up in Internet stock prices has sparked debate about whether
we're witnessing a replay of the 1990s bubble -- one that could pop
just as disastrously -- or the end of a three-year bear market.
full article >

SARS Looms Large for Embattled Tech Manufacturers (Reuters)
Electronics manufacturers, already reeling from low margins and fierce competition, now must contend with the SARS outbreak, which analysts say could dent business in Asia this quarter.
full article >

Six Technologies That Will Change the World (Business 2.0)
Imagine robots that can read your mood and ink-jet printers that can crank out transplantable hearts. The visionaries you are about to meet have not only imagined these things -- they're hard at work building them.
full article >

Patents Go Global (Technology Review)
A single global patent system could simplify the international patent process. Will the United States sign on?
full article >

Sensing Trouble (Scientific American)
Chemists approach homeland security in a variety of ways.
full article >

Events Calendar

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

May 9: 2003 Entrepreneur Association Conference, Building Enduring Value
This one-day event, hosted by The Entrepreneur Association at the Anderson School at UCLA and The Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, provides education, discussion, and networking to help entrepreneurs build more successful organizations. Keynote speakers will be Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo, and Paul Orfalea, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Kinko's. Be among the first three email requests (send here), and you'll be eligible for a free pass to the conference.
more information >

May 10: Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum's Spotlight Series Program, Corporate Formation & Strategic Tax Planning
Transforming advanced technology and innovative ideas into successful business ventures depends on much more than technical know-how. It requires intelligent financial and management decisions at every stage of your company's formation and growth. The greatest technology in the world won't thrive in today's marketplace without the right corporate structure to seize growth opportunities, maximize profits, ensure fiscal stability and protect your personal assets.
more information >

May 11-13: NanoBusiness 2003
The Second Annual NanoBusiness 2003 will open its doors May 11 in New York City with an all-star cast of industry leaders. Scott Donnelly, General Electric; Ulf Koenig, DaimlerChrysler; Phil Bond, Undersecretary of Commerce; Q. Todd Dickinson, Howrey Simon Arnold & White; and Rick Snyder of Ardesta are among the nanotechnology luminaries who will address current applications and emerging trends. In all, more than sixty speakers have selected NanoBusiness 2003 as their preferred event to brief their peers and the broader market.
more information >

May 12: Tech Coast Angels, 3rd Annual Fast Pitch Competition
The largest group of angel investors in the US is holding its annual networking
and fast pitch competition. The best three pitches win a funding meeting with a
top VC firm. Last year, there were over 400 attendees. This is a great opportunity
to meet angel investors and VCs. For more info: www.TCAFP.com
Deadline for competition entrants is Friday May 2: www.TCAFPR.com
Or contact Atticus Wagner: 949.859.8445 tcangelsatticus@aab949.com

May 12: Harvard Business School, 2003 Entrepreneurs Conference
Accelerate the growth of your company with advice from investors, successful entrepreneurs, and industry experts at the 19th Annual Entrepreneurs Conference, sponsored by the Harvard Business School Association of Orange County. Times have changed. Learn to adapt with new, real-world approaches to starting, funding and building your company. Share your perspective with entrepreneurs and investors and get insights from them. Dialogue with guest speakers, investors, and business owners who share their experience and expertise.
more information >

May 12-14: NASA at SAMPE 2003
Leaders in advanced materials technologies are invited to attend NASA's cutting-edge technology briefings and demonstrations at SAMPE 2003, sponsored by SAMPE, the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, to be held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. Meet privately with NASA researchers to discuss your potential application and product needs. Learn how your company can partner with NASA to jointly develop and/or license exciting leading-edge materials and material processing technologies. To schedule a private meeting go to www.nasatechnology.com. To attend SAMPE 2003 go to www.sampe.org

May 18-20: VORTEX 2003
VORTEX is an annual must-attend event for the best minds in networking, and a valuable opportunity for senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas with other visionaries and gain access to the practical solutions and innovative strategies that are defining the new networked world.
more information >

May 19-20: UCLA's Wireless Internet, Data and Enterprise Application Conference
This two-day event will bring together leading wireless experts from industry and academia to provide a comprehensive overview of the Wireless Internet space. The conference attracts experts from the entire value chain - mobile operators and carriers, researchers, media content companies, telematics, mcommerce, application developers, vendors, portals, consultants, investors and more.
more information >

May 19-21: ASME 3rd Annual MEMS Technology Seminar
Five courses, exhibits, and NASA Microdevices Lab Tour offered.
more information >

May 20: PricewaterhouseCoopers' Shaking the MoneyTree: Q1 2003 Results
Join PricewaterhouseCoopers and a distinguished panel of industry experts for the release of the Q1 2003 results of the PricewaterhouseCoopers/Venture Economics/National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree Survey. RSVP by e-mail to: la.oc.marketing@us.pwcglobal.com by Monday, May 19, 2003.

May 20: Orange Coast Venture Group's Monthly Breakfast Program, If I Build It, Will they Come? Generating Sales in Today's Economy
Learn how to develop business strategies that increase revenue opportunities and how to build a strong sales force that can turn market opportunities into revenue. Top sales and marketing executives at some of Southern California's most successful companies will tell you how to generate sales in today's tough business environment.
more information >

May 20: Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum: Venturing in Fuel Cells
Please join the Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum for a critical look at the micropower and portable fuel cell industry. Our panel of investors, entrepreneurs, technologists and market analysts will examine venture opportunities for micro or portable power for our homes, offices and recreation.
more information >

May 21: Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum: New Trends in Wireless Applications: Coming to America
Join us on the beautiful campus of California State University Channel Islands to examine the latest trends in mobile media messaging, a segment of the wireless industry that has gained significant traction across Europe and Asia, but up until now has not enjoyed widespread success in the United States.
more information >

May 22: Corporate Investment and Strategic Alliance Conferences
The Corporate Investment and Strategic Alliance (CISA) Conferences are the oldest, largest and most successful conferences in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to companies seeking corporate funding from and/or strategic alliances with Fortune 1000, Nasdaq 100, International 200, or other large public or private corporations.
more information >

May 22: FWE's Annual Venture Dinner
Join FWE San Diego for the Second Annual Progressive Venture Dinner. The 2003 event will build on the success of last year's inaugural dinner, where 45 prominent venture capital providers, 20 professional service providers, and more than 80 high-growth men and women entrepreneurs gathered for an evening of insight and networking.
more information >

June 6: Seventh Annual Central Coast Venture Forum
Meet over 200 angel investors and venture capitalists at the largest venture forum held in the central coast. Learn about hot companies with compelling business plans and exciting technologies with innovative business models. Meet an extensive network of leading business principles and investment professionals.
more information >

June 10-15: YPGN Success 101 Business Academy
YPGN will host its first annual Business Academy where college students and recent graduates can receive a concentrated introduction to business techniques and expert guidance in their entrepreneurial endeavors. The Business Academy will offer instruction, interaction, and outstanding networking opportunities with keynote speakers, industry panelists and a Career Fair. The attendees of the Business Academy will leave with many great tools (world class resumes, interviewing and salary negotiation skills, etc.), informational interviews, personal career advice from industry experts, and the motivation and inspiration required to succeed in today's business environment.
more information >

Larta's full event calendar >

Larta Job Opportunities

Larta currently has the following job opportunities available. Interested candidates please email resumes to jjohnson@old.larta.org.

Programs and Marketing Coordinator
We are seeking an individual possessing strong interpersonal skills, some experience in conference and event marketing, excellent oral and written communication skills, solid organizational skills, and computer graphics and web design capabilities.
more information >

Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate will assist the Business Development Director with sales, new business sourcing, and marketing.
more information >

Programs Coordinator
Programs Coordinator will help the Programs Director administer, expand, and market Larta University training programs.
more information >
***** Tech Marketplace *****
Now available from Larta The Sand Dollar Report 2003
Larta University March 18 & 26 Accounting Issues For Emerging Technology Companies
Now Available From Larta The Medical Device Industry White Paper
World Nano-Economic Congress Sept. 8-10 Washington, DC
smalltimes BIG NEWS IN SMALL TECH get your free subsciption
FIDELYS Investment Banking Services
Applying Nanotechnology today. The 2003 Nano Republic Conference
PricewaterhouseCoopers MoneyTree Venture Capital Survey & More The most comprehensive survey of venture capital investment
Tech Jobs CA Your link to local technology jobs and talent throughout California
Rainmaker & Sun Integrated Marketing Contact: Rena Conner for free marketing consultation 818.789.9928
 
***** Sponsors *****
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Verizon Foundation
 
******** About Larta ********

Since 1993, Larta has been closely involved with cutting-edge business trends, growing sectors, and innovative companies. We apply this "insider" knowledge to help our clients find new customers, open new markets, tackle tough issues, and raise capital.

Companies helped by Larta have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Larta's seminars provide insights to 1,000 businesspeople each year. Larta's weekly electronic magazine on business innovation is read by 20,000 people.

www.old.larta.org

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Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (213) 744-1314
Fax: (213) 744-1791

Orange County Office
16269 Laguna Canyon Road
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Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 789-1110
 

Sponsorship: To sponsor VOX or other Larta events or publications, contact
Carlos Gutierrez