VC Investment Jumps 32% (Red Herring)
Commitments top $6.5 billion in the quarter as investors compete for hottest companies. Venture investment rose 32 percent in the first quarter of 2006, with VC financing reaching its highest level in five years.

From bust to boom -- with a catch (Contra Costa Times)
Led by a resilient "innovation economy," the Bay Area has rebounded from the dot-com cataclysm, according to a study released today. But the region's rally is imperiled by an erosion of its talent base, warned the authors of the report.

Stem cell lawsuit wraps up (San Francisco Chronicle)
The key court case that could determine the fate of California's stalled $3 billion stem cell initiative culminated in a flurry of closing arguments.

H-1B visa increase advances in Senate (San Jose Mercury News)
A Senate committee voted to significantly increase the number of visas for highly skilled foreign workers as part of a controversial immigration bill that faces an uncertain future in Congress.

June 28-29:
The Venture Forum. San Jose, CA
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PRESENTING COMPANIES ENDS APRIL 14, 2006.
Hundreds of venture capitalists, angels, corporate investors and leading service providers from across the globe will gather in Silicon Valley to discover the most groundbreaking seed and early-stage investment opportunities and to engage with expert panels on innovation. The 2006 Venture Forum will feature the NIH Life Sciences Showcase and the Technology Innovation Showcase.

April 05-27:
NIH-CAP Outcomes Workshop. (Los Angeles, CA - Washington DC - Boston, MA - San Francisco, CA 
These workshops are part of the Larta run, NIH funded, Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP). At the Outcomes Workshop, CAP companies will work interactively with their Principal Advisors and other Larta mentors on their business cases and presentations. The workshop will also provide two tutorials for the companies on pertinent commercialization issues; "Making a Winning Presentation" and "Presenting Financial Data".

Purchase reports now for only $99  

2005 Federal Technology Funding Guide
Larta Institute's annual guide to government technology funding is recognized as the nation's leading survey on Federal technology funding opportunities. Winning Government R&D Money: Federal Technology Funding Guide 2005 provides detailed information on Federal funding processes, programs, and ways to win government R&D money.


University Tech Transfer: Licensing Intellectual Property from Universities 
Universities are among the best sources of intellectual property. This new white paper from Larta Institute includes approaches for finding and accessing university research, recommendations for avoiding potential pitfalls when licensing university IP, suggestions for successfully negotiating university tech transfer agreements, and illustrations of typical licensing terms and types of licenses. 


Intellectual Property Strategies for Wireless Technologies 
It is vital for startup companies involved with wireless technologies to employ sound intellectual property strategies within the context of FCC regulations. A new Larta Institute white paper, Intellectual Property Strategies for Wireless Technologies, details IP strategies while addressing considerations for obtaining FCC approval.

>> April 5:
"Creating a Product Development Culture" Dinner and Speaker Event Hosted By PDMA
The Los Angeles chapter of the Product Development and Management Association invites you to a dinner and speaker event at The Grove. Mr. Antony Lemus, a renowned six sigma expert, will share his experiences with building a process-driven product development culture, using a “tipping point” philosophy. He will explain how to use six sigma concepts and metrics to improve organization effectiveness and decision making. This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to new ideas, network with colleagues, and enjoy fine Italian dining!

>> April 5-7:
JETRO Goin Mobile Japan! Conference and Business Matching at CTIA Wireless 2006
Capitalizing on the long history of technology collaboration between the United States and Japan, JETRO invites you to participate in two free programs being held during CTIA Wireless 2006.

>> April 9-12:
BIO 2006 Forum: Innovative Solutions for Translational Research (Chicago)
Sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation, this Forum will have discussion of case studies of internal and external entities established to provide resources, assistance, and acceleration in translational research and/or the commercialization of university discoveries.

>> May 2-4:
OnHollywood 2006: The Digital Media and Entertainment Market for Executives
Produced by Always On Network, OnHollywood is where cutting edge technology from the backstreets of the Silicon Valley meets Hollywood's digital media revolution. This two and a half day industry insider event borrows on the "Film Market" tradition by providing and open environment where top digital entertainment and media entrepreneurs meet the big-time studio, telcom and consumer electronics executives.

>> May 9-10:
12th Annual FranklinCovey's International Symposium: Sustained Superior Performance: Lead, Focus, Win!
Almost all organizations want to achieve and maintain superior performance. In practice, however, few actually do. This year's theme recognizes the critical role leaders’ play, at all levels, in engaging people throughout their organizations, and focusing their best efforts toward the achievement of their organization's most important goals. To enroll for this powerful 2-Day Event Call: 1.800.987.1776 and mention promo code "LARTA"

>> May 31- June 1:
NIH Regional Seminar at UCR
This seminar is intended to help de-mystify the application and review process, clarify Federal regulations and policies, and highlight current areas of special interest or concern. The seminar serves the NIH mission of providing education and training for the next generation of biomedical and behavioral scientist.

>> July 25-27:
AO2006: The Innovation Summit @ Stanford
Always On's Annual Innovation Summit @ Stanford is the most powerful thought leader and business development conference in Silicon Valley. Each year the summit focuses on the sweet spots in technology markets - where innovation is disrupting behavior and creating new business opportunities.

Larta Institute
Connecting People to Drive Innovation

We manage the nation's largest innovation pipelines. Larta Institute is a professional services firm providing entrepreneur training, commercialization, and technology transfer services for governments, companies, and universities.

We accelerate the transition of cutting-edge technologies to the marketplace by connecting innovators to investors and companies. Our programs leverage our extensive network of relationships and resources. Since 1993, companies helped by Larta Institute have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Our programs serve thousands of businesspeople each year. Our electronic magazine on business innovation is read by over 25,000 people.

www.old.larta.org

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

Washington DC Office:
c/o Kelly, Anderson & Associates
424 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 740-8330

Chicago, IL Office:
3518 N. Reta Avenue #1
Chicago, IL 60657