Week of June 23 - June 29, 2003 ~ v.5, n.25
Top Stories

The Promise of the Optical Chip
Hundreds of millions of dollars are being raised on the promise of the next big thing, the "optical chip." But before you invest, pause for a short history lesson.

2003 Nano Republic Conference
A leading national conference July 10 on Nanotech commercialization covering practical issues of engineering, design, and integration.

Nano Republic Award
Be a BIG company in a very small science. Apply now for Larta's 2003 Nano Republic Awards contest. Winners will be announced July 10 at Larta's 2003 Nano Republic Conference.

Coming Soon from Larta: Bioinformatics White Paper
Learn more about bioinformatics and the obstacles preventing it from emerging into a profitable sector within the life sciences industry.

Electronic Games Industry White Paper
The latest industry statistics, trends, announcements and forecasts, with an overview of the hardware and software sectors of the gaming industry.

Medical Device Industry White Paper
Details the U.S. medical device industry, which has been a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy, generating over $55 billion in sales in 2002.
Larta University

July 22 & 24: Entrepreneurship Series #3: Betting on the Jockey: Building the Killer Management Team
When investors, recruiters and entrepreneurs match a startup with experienced business management, it's a delicate dance of communication, ego and power struggle. This workshop covers recruiting and compensation, identifying and filling management team gaps, boards of directors, and legal obligations for employers.
Locations: Irvine and Downtown Los Angeles

July 29: Management Law 101
This seminar will teach company leaders the fundamental employment laws, as well as management techniques to develop a cohesive, forward-moving work force. Laws discussed will include discrimination, harassment, disability, basic wage and hour, fundamental company policies and more.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles

Larta University's full course schedule >
Tech Sector News
Sponsored by LATimes.com

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Biotech
An Aye for Eyetech (Red Herring)
The startup pharmaceutical company takes on Alcon with its new drug for blindness.
more Biotech articles >

Wireless
Hands-free Phone Fails Driver-safety Tests (ZDNet)
Talking on a mobile phone while driving your car is just as dangerous when using hands-free equipment as when holding the phone in your hand, according to a Swedish study.
more Wireless articles >

Software
PeopleSoft Rejects Sweetened Oracle Bid (Reuters)
Business software maker PeopleSoft Inc. said its board unanimously rejected a sweetened $6.3 billion takeover bid from Oracle Corp., saying the offer was inadequate and a merger would violate antitrust laws.
more Software articles >

Semiconductors
Chip Gear Orders Drop a Notch (CNet News.com)
Chipmaking gear orders inched down in May as demand for some equipment remained sluggish, according to a trade group.
more Semiconductor articles >

Investments
Technology Stocks Retreat On Profit-Taking, Fed Data (New York Times - registration required)
Technology stocks slid Thursday despite news that jobless claims fell more than expected, as investors decided to cash in on the recent rally and digested some disappointing regional economic data.
more Investment articles >

Get the Latest So Cal Investment Report
 Larta's Sand Dollar Report 2003: An Analysis of Venture Investing In Southern California features comprehensive new data and interviews with leading venture capitalists. The report includes PricewaterhouseCoopers/Venture Economics/National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree Survey.
Events Calendar

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

June 23-25: Nano Engineering World Forum 2003
International Engineering Consortium's NanoEngineering World Forum 2003 is a must-attend event for scientists, technologists, engineers, research directors, executives and strategic planners, educators, and venture-capital analysts.

June 23-25: Gartner Outsourcing Summit
Outsourcing has become the next business-critical process, requiring everyone who buys, sells or manages IT services to be “reskilled” in this new methodology.

June 23-27: North American IPv6 Global Summit
Charmed Technology and the IPv6 Forum present the premier event for the world IPv6 community and an international forum for advancing the development and implementation of new generation Internet networks, technologies and policies.

June 25: 2003 Hall of Fame Awards: Beyond Barriers, Beyond Limits, Beyond Borders
The World Trade Center Association Los Angeles-Long Beach, an affiliate of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), hosts an exciting event focused on some of the most legendary brands, founders and leaders in the world. With Very Special Guest Host, Larry King, broadcast legend.

June 25: Lessons From the Bubble
Harvard Business School Association of Orange County examines the tech decline, the status of Angel investing, and the benefits of diversifying.

June 26: Women's Technology Leadership Forum
Association of Women in Technology (AWT) sponsor a unique panel presentation in which three successful women in the local technology industry share their stories of challenge, choice, change and commitment.

June 26: Third Annual Fashion Show
Fashion Business Inc. presents its Third Annual Fashion Show, and will honor celebrity designer Richard Tyler with the "Synergy Award" for his dedication, hard work and success in the field of fashion.

June 26: Understanding Wireless Applications
Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals hosts a panel of distinguished experts to help explain the best ways to integrate wireless technologies into products and services.

June 28: Fashion for Profit
Fashion Business, Inc. hosts a one-day seminar with everything you need to know about starting an apparel business, including design, manufacturing, marketing and branding. Click here for enrollment form or contact info@fashionbizinc.org.

July 22& 24: Betting on the Jockey: Building the Killer Management Team
Larta University workshop covers recruiting and compensation, identifying and filling management team gaps, boards of directors, and legal obligations for employers.

July 27-30: SIGGRAPH 2003
ACM Siggraph presents the world's largest marketplace of computer graphics and interactive techniques. The latest information and glimpses into the future.

July 29: Management Law 101
Larta University seminar teaches company leaders the fundamental employment laws, as well as management techniques to develop a cohesive, forward-moving work force. Laws discussed will include discrimination, harassment, disability, basic wage and hour, fundamental company policies and more.

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 Events Coordinator
Programs and Events Coordinator will assist the Programs Director with producing approximately five conferences and 50 business workshops per year. Candidate will manage all logistical aspects of conferences and workshops and will assist in program marketing efforts.

Business Development Associate
Business Development Associate will assist the Business Development Director with sales, new business sourcing, and marketing.
***** Tech Marketplace *****
Now Available From Larta The Medical Device Industry White Paper
Fashion Business Inc. Third Annual Fashion Show
Applying Nanotechnology today. The 2003 Nano Republic Conference
World Nano-Economic Congress Sept. 8-10 Washington, DC
smalltimes BIG NEWS IN SMALL TECH get your free subsciption
FIDELYS Investment Banking Services
Now available from Larta The Sand Dollar Report 2003
PricewaterhouseCoopers MoneyTree Venture Capital Survey & More The most comprehensive survey of venture capital investment
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

714 W. Olympic Blvd.
Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (213) 744-1314
Fax: (213) 744-1791

Orange County Office
16269 Laguna Canyon Road
Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 789-1110
 

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 16269 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 789-1110 Larta VOX Brought to you By: Staff Writer and Reporter - Wendy Hall Larta Research Economist - Ketaki Sood Editor - James Klein Managing Editor - Victor Hwang Publisher - Rohit Shukla Technical Advisor - Stefanie Chao
Sponsorship: To sponsor VOX or other Larta events or publications, contact
Carlos Gutierrez