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SSTI, the State Science and Technology Institute, calls Larta University one of the "...best programs in the country," having "...helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, implemented innovative programs, and assisted client companies to raise hundreds of millions of dollars."

Find the Business Tools you Need Today
Register for the Entrepreneurship Series 2005-2006!

Plus: Opportunity to Present at Larta's Venture Forum 2006!
For the first time, Series enrollees who meet requirements may have the exclusive opportunity to present in front of hundreds of potential investors, customers, and/or partners at Larta's annual Venture Forum conference in June. Each workshop will build on each other to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step process to increase your business success by helping you develop a well-rounded business case presentation by the end of the Series. Call Joe Escamilla for eligibility requirements and details at 213-765-4829.

Series attendees can expect:

• Expert mentoring and instruction from Larta's network of seasoned business professionals
• Guidance on developing a well-rounded business case presentation
• To learn practical and relevant steps to build a successful business operation
• Interactive discussions, activities, and stories from successful entrepreneurs
• Networking opportunities into the business community

Upcoming Courses:

Entrepreneurship Series #5: The Big Picture: Building a Profitable Financial Model (West Los Angeles, Feb. 9)
This workshop covers crucial aspects of financial processes for startup companies. Topics include: examining your business and distribution model, developing realistic financial assessments, budgeting and forecasting, preparing financials for the business plan, how to be fiscally prepared for foreseeable budget cycles, valuation, reporting to financial stakeholders as well as understanding your exit strategy or end game.

Entrepreneurship Series #6: Building a Great Team: Why the Perfect Product Isn't Enough (West Los Angeles, Mar. 9)
This workshop will address such topics as recruiting and compensation, identifying and filling management team gaps, boards of directors, and legal obligations for employers. The course will also cover how investors, recruiters and entrepreneurs collaborate on the recruitment process, how a business team adds or detracts value from a company, ways to provide creative compensation, methods in identifying a company's needs, and how to manage legal issues.

Larta University's Course Schedule

Top Stories in Hot Technology Sectors

Private Equity Enjoyed Record Fundraising Year in 2005 (NVCA/Thomson)
VC fund raising reached its highest level since 2001, and buyout firms raised the most ever, according to Thomson Venture Economics and the National Venture Capital Association.

‘Innovative’ Entrepreneurs Drive Economic Growth; Entrepreneurs in Middle Income Countries Play Catch-up, Tap into New Technologies (Babson College
News)
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) study shows definitive results of entrepreneurship in 2005.

Top valley investors predict the future (San Jose Mercury News)
Microsoft and Oracle are humbled, phone calls become free, and product design trumps functionality. There's much to get excited about in 2006, according to five of Silicon Valley's leading venture capitalists.

This calendar lists events endorsed by Larta Institute.

February 9: Entrepreneurship Series #5: The Big Picture: Building a Profitable Financial Model (West Los Angeles)
This workshop covers crucial aspects of financial processes for startup companies. Topics include: examining your business and distribution model, developing realistic financial assessments, budgeting and forecasting, preparing financials for the business plan, how to be fiscally prepared for foreseeable budget cycles, valuation, reporting to financial stakeholders as well as understanding your exit strategy or end game.

February 9: Morrison & Foerster: Recent Developments in California Labor and Employment Law - (Los Angeles Program)
The California courts and labor agencies have made 2005 a year of dramatic changes, issuing several significant opinions clarifying the legal landscape and giving employers clear direction on several fronts.

March 1-2: LES: Technology Transfer Seminars
The Technology Transfer Seminar is an intensive two-day professional development course designed to provide an overview, core knowledge and current insights for those new to the responsibilities of managing licensing businesses and executing licensing transactions.

March 2-4: 2006 AUTM Annual Meeting
The AUTM Annual Meeting gathers between 1,500 and 2,000 technology transfer and intellectual property professionals from across the globe.

March 9: Entrepreneurship Series #6: Building a Great Team: Why the Perfect Product Isn't Enough (West Los Angeles)
This workshop will address such topics as recruiting and compensation, identifying and filling management team gaps, boards of directors, and legal obligations for employers. The course will also cover how investors, recruiters and entrepreneurs collaborate on the recruitment process, how a business team adds or detracts value from a company, ways to provide creative compensation, methods in identifying a company's needs, and how to manage legal issues.

April 6: Entrepreneurship Series #7: Finding the Right Partner: Attracting Capital and Developing Strategic Alliances (West Los Angeles)
Emerging companies need to know the most realistic options available for financing in the current marketplace. This workshop considers different financing strategies, including VC financing, angel financing, government funding and loans. You will learn what is required in approaching each financing source, and how to quickly identify viable opportunities. Alternative strategies are also covered, including strategic alliances, partnering with customers, bootstrapping, and leveraging.

May 11: Entrepreneurship Series #8: Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Perfecting Your Business Case Presentation and Elevator Pitch (West Los Angeles)
Many presentations often contain too much of the wrong information (or just too much information) and not enough of the essentials. Entrepreneurs and technologists have to translate complex, broad technology business concepts and plans into succinct messages that intrigue and interest venture capitalists, customers and corporate partners. This workshop will help you effectively communicate your value proposition to the audience, understanding what various audiences respond the best to. You will have an opportunity to practice your business case presentation and elevator pitch with mentors and peers so that you can leave with an effective, polished pitch.

June 28-29: The Venture Forum
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.

Larta Institute's Events Calendar

Larta Institute
connecting people to drive innovation

We bring people together to move technologies into the marketplace. Our client solutions include: conferences, training workshops, technology transfer, advisory services, and research and analysis.

Since 1993, companies helped by Larta Institute have raised over $1.5 billion in capital. Larta Institute's conferences and seminars provide insights to thousands of businesspeople each year. Larta Institute's weekly electronic magazine on business innovation is read by over 20,000 people.

www.old.larta.org

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

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

Chicago, IL Office:
Larta Institute
474 N. Lake Shore Drive
Suite 4208
Chicago, IL 60611