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| | [Actually 2/3/2012]: The May Report: 2/3/2012: Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund: Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics: The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. Jordan Linville is the CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals and NU professor Chad Mirkin is the co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics; Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award; and my Lynne Marek challenge -- it's high time to do some trust or monopoly busting
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| | February 3, 2012
The May Report: 2/3/2012: Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund: Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics: The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. Jordan Linville is the CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals and NU professor Chad Mirkin is the co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics; Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award; and my Lynne Marek challenge -- it's high time to do some trust or monopoly busting
Editor and publisher: Ron May, ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com,www.themayreport.com, 773-525-3944.
If you missed an article, go here:
www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/vwFullNewsletter
(ALL REPORTS HAVE NOW BEEN POSTED ON THE TMRONLINE.COM SITE AND THANKS TO PROMINIC FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM)
Otherwise, just go to www.themayreport.com where all the articles are archived and the search function on the new site is now working
Louis Brandeis: "Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants."
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Scoop section:
-- Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund: Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics: The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. Jordan Linville is the CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals and NU professor Chad Mirkin is the co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics
-- Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award
-- Grads Sue Chicago Law Schools over exaggerating Job Placement Rates: DePaul University College of Law, John Marshall Law School and Chicago-Kent College of Law are three of 12 schools sued in the country, according to Crain's Chicago Business
-- Heavyweights including Pritzker, Mansueto launch tech investment fund - Technology - Crain's Chicago Business
-- Web of influence: Chicago's innovative tech companies feed off each other, December 15, 2011, By Michael Alter
-- Illinois is Moving Forward -- and how the heck did I get on a fundraising list for Gov. Quinn?
-- One-Year Anniversary of The Startup America Initiative
-- Layton Olson: January 31, 2012 - FCC Reforms, Modernizes Lifeline Program for Low-Income Americans | FCC.gov
-- Miscellaneous notes (8 messages) -- and one of them may be a job for Neil Kanev who could teach nanotech to high school students
-- Sunday, Feb. 12 ??? Jeff Willinger, is that right, this seminar is on a Sunday morning??: Business Intelligence: Leverage the Full Potential of Your SAP Data Free Seminar
-- Saturday, Feb. 4: IL Science Council: You can study U.S. social/drinking customs. Or don't and just have fun for a good cause
-- Tuesday, Feb. 7: BNC VC Group: Len and Dave, where is the list of presenters???
-- Thursday, February 16 (in Urbana): 2nd Showing "Journey into Dyslexia" Documentary: Urbana LEAP Group
-- Cards Ron collected at the MIT-EF Advanced Manufacturing meeting on 1/17/2012
-- A trip down memory lane: Cards collected over a period of time by David Dalka, and some of these people have left or changed jobs
[Editor's note: May here. I have to wash up and get out of here to go to the ACG event at 7:30am. Monica Metzler, I'll try to get to your event Saturday night. And Monday, I'll try to get to Ignite at the Catalyst Ranch. That Trust Barometer event is sold out.
I owe you five or more things:
1. My write-up on MIT-Ef Advanced Manufacturing
2. The CCEA meeting on the 19th of January. Darrin Stern has posted the videos.
http://www.theccea.org/2012/01/23/advance-biofuels-panel-presented-by-the-ccea/
3. The fascinating CFA/SMCC meeting on Jan. 25th at Morningstar.
4. More from the holiday parties of last December.
5. Nancy Sullivan, Bill Lederer, Chris Tomes, Willinger, Gruber, Tadros and more.
David Culver reports that they had 62 people at the Funding Feeding Frenzy reunion at their location at 744 N. Wells on Wednesday evening. David also said that they were expecting 20 people at their entrepreneurial pow-wow yesterday.
Lynne Marek, my new buddy, see what I wrote after your article below. Maybe you should interview Culver who, unlike Maura O'Hara, has put on three investing conferences since December 2010, or do you just take article suggestions from the Pritzker, Moog, Henikoff, Willer gang?
And J B. , Matt, Troy and Kevin, that is a criticism of the media and not of you. If the media were even coming close to doing their job, this issue would not exist.
Do you guys revel in and exploit the stranglehold you have on media coverage? I honestly don't know, but to my knowledge, you don't have a gun to the head of the people at Crain's.]
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The Scoop section:
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Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund: Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics: The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. Jordan Linville is the CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals and NU professor Chad Mirkin is the co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics
Subject: Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund
Date: 1/31/2012 11:26:26 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: tatvshow@yahoo.com
To: ron@themayreport.com
CC: RONALDMAY@aol.com
Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State’s New Venture Capital Fund
Invest Illinois Venture Fund Providing Access to Capital for Young, High-Growth Companies to Create Jobs and Grow the Economy
CHICAGO – January 31, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the first investments from the state’s new venture capital fund to support two Illinois start-up businesses, Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics. The Invest Illinois Venture Fund (IIVF) is a new venture capital program that is part of the $78 million Advantage Illinois program launched by Governor Quinn last October. The program supports young, innovative Illinois companies that show high growth potential, can demonstrate their place in the market and already have other investors.
“This new venture fund is allowing us to help small and start-up businesses increase innovation and competition, expand, and create good-paying jobs,” Governor Quinn said. “We must continue to do everything we can to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow in order to boost the economy, create jobs and compete in the global marketplace.”
The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. The additional capital will help these companies continue to grow their businesses and create jobs.
Founded in 2011, Buzz Referrals is a high-growth start-up business that develops and operates an online platform that creates custom referral programs based on social media. The platform allows corporations, small businesses, agencies, brokers and nonprofits to create and track online messaging that can be shared via email, social networks and word-of-mouth to maximize their contacts and customers. The IIVF helped Buzz Referrals leverage additional investments, which will enable the company to increase its staff size from four full-time employees to 20 full-time employees over the next two years.
“We’d like to thank Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois for their commitment to entrepreneurship and startups through the Invest Illinois Venture Fund,” said Jordan Linville, CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals. “Buzz Referrals offers simple and cost-effective solutions to help businesses acquire new customers through referral marketing. The IIVF's funding and resources will accelerate our growth and help Buzz Referrals be a leader within this space."
AuraSense Therapeutics, founded in early 2011, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing spherical nucleic acid (SNA™) constructs, which can help fight diseases such as heart disease, cancer, skin conditions and bacterial infection. With the capital leveraged through the IIVF, the company expects to greatly accelerate the development and growth of multiple therapeutics and create dozens of jobs over the next three years.
“We are delighted to have Illinois’ new venture fund as part of the syndicate investing in AuraSense Therapeutics. Their participation is not only important validation of the AuraSense mission and gene regulation platform, but also will be key in transitioning the technology to important new therapeutics for a wide variety of debilitating diseases,” said Chad Mirkin, co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics.
Governor Quinn launched the Advantage Illinois program in October 2011 to provide Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with the access to the capital they need to start new companies and expand existing businesses. Advantage Illinois will leverage $78 million in federal funding that will allow businesses to bring innovative ideas and new products to market, and accelerate job creation and economic growth in Illinois. The IIVF is supported by the Governor's Illinois Innovation Council, which is actively working to execute strategies to enhance awareness of capital availability in Illinois and connect the dots between great ideas and the partners who can help turn ideas into companies and products.
In addition to the IIVF, the Advantage Illinois program is comprised of several components to spur institutional lending, including the Capital Access Program (CAP), the Participation Loan Program (PLP) and the Collateral Support Program (CSP). Some small businesses may also be eligible to receive Advantage Illinois financing. Businesses interested in participating in the IIVF may submit their applications online to DCEO at www.ildceo.net/AdvantageIllinois.
Advantage Illinois builds upon Governor Quinn’s commitment to enhancing business growth. The Advantage Illinois initiative is expected to generate a minimum of at least $10 in new private lending for small and medium-sized businesses for every $1 of federal funding, resulting in around $800 million of private sector investments and loans being pumped into the economy over the next few years. The Brookings Institution recently noted more than 95 percent of new jobs are derived from business expansions or start-up activity.
Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), funding for Advantage Illinois is being provided by the U.S. Treasury through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which was created as part of the American Small Business Jobs Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010.
“Through the IIVF, we are giving businesses a booster shot in the form of deploying new tools to ease the credit crunch they have experienced in recent years, improve the field of play and give Illinois companies an advantage against the competition,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “We will continue to target investments in every area of the economy to help keep moving Illinois forward.”
Governor Quinn announced the first investments from the state’s new venture fund today at Chicago-based Excelerate Labs, a business incubator and accelerator for startups driven by proven entrepreneurs and investors. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s aggressive business agenda that is helping move the Illinois economy forward. The state maintains a large portfolio of programs, which is designed to help Illinois businesses thrive in today’s economy. For more information, please visit www.ilbiz.biz.
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Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award
Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award
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from: Bruce Montgomery tatvshow@yahoo.com
reply-to: Bruce Montgomery <tatvshow@yahoo.com>
to: Ron May <ron@themayreport.com>
cc: Ron May <RONALDMAY@aol.com>
date: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 4:22 PM
subject: Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award
mailed-by: yahoo.com
signed-by: yahoo.com
: Important mainly because of the people in the conversation.
Bruce Montgomery tatvshow@yahoo.com
4:22 PM (9 hours ago)
to me, Ron
Chicago-based Startup Kauzu Develops 2012 Plans with $250,000 Gigabit Challenge Award
At Think Big Partners' Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, Chicago-based startup Kauzu walked away with the $250,000 Born Global Award and the inspiration to grow the new business venture.
Since Kauzu walked away with a $250,000 convertible promissory note courtesy of Gramercy Private Equity at Think Big Partners' Gigabit Challenge Finale, the Chicago-based startup has been developing new plans for 2012 including partnership development, product development, fundraising and hiring.
Think Big Partners’ Gigabit Challenge was a global business plan competition looking for new applications to disrupt technology on the Google Fiber Network. Prizes included the People’s Choice Award, a $100,000 Grand Prize and the $250,000 Born Global Award, which was given to Kauzu by Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity.
As one of the most energetic and creative pitches during The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012, Kauzu captivated the audience and the judges with its unique spin on changing the US employment industry. Kauzu seeks to innovate the $170 billion industry by providing a dynamic, digital online environment with unique tools to create timely connections.
“This was a win for our team, and that’s all I really care about,” said Mitch Schneider, CEO, Founder and Chairman of Kauzu. “This gives my team a pat on the back. It also creates visibility and exposure. Gramercy, Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft—they all want to see us succeed. The validation is amazing. It only propels our chance to succeed.”
Kauzu was one of the 17 Finalists to present at The Gigabit Challenge Finale in front of 17 esteemed judges from Kansas City and from across the nation.
“This was another company that did a fantastic job with their pitch and connecting with the audience,” said Chris Bernard of Microsoft a Gigabit Challenge judge, in a recent article in Silicon Prairie News. “I’m super eager to see what these guys do. I think they have some unique ideas and a fantastic team.”
Post-Gigabit Challenge, Kauzu hopes to continue to develop more partnerships both in and outside of Chicago. With these partnerships, Kauzu hopes to raise funds more effectively and more quickly to allow for cross-generating revenue. The startup also hopes to start the hiring process in May.
“This experience has helped us form new partners and has allowed us to provide value back to new startups,” said Schneider. “We are going to use other startup products so we can connect them with others too. We want to open doors for others just like people have done for us.”
In addition, Kauzu is planning another trip to Kansas City to connect with Think Big Partners’ accelerator and collaborative workspace and to strengthen more partnerships in Silicon Prairie. Schneider also mentioned a two-location startup launch in both Chicago and Kansas City.
“Not every day is fun,” admitted Schneider. “But at the end of the day, we all want to do this. If I had a million dollars in my pocket, I’d still do this. We do it because we believe in it and we think it’s fun.”
ABOUT KAUZU:
Kauzu is a Chicago-based startup looking to change the US employment industry. Kauzu seeks to innovate on the $170 billion industry by providing a dynamic, digital online environment with unique tools to create timely connections. Proclaiming that “the résumé is dead”, Kauzu’s goal is to match people with fulfilling jobs and create a new model for matching job seekers with the careers they are looking for. To learn more about Kauzu, visit http://www.kauzu.com.
Bruce Eric Montgomery
Executive Producer & Host
Technology Access Television
200 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606-5865
(312) 725-8601
tatvshow@yahoo.com
www.tatv.org
www.twitter.com/techaccesstv
www.facebook.com/brucemontgomery
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Grads Sue Chicago Law Schools over exaggerating Job Placement Rates: DePaul University College of Law, John Marshall Law School and Chicago-Kent College of Law are three of 12 schools sued in the country, according to Crain's Chicago Business
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Law-Schools-Named-In-Lawsuit-138561289.html
Grads Sue Chicago Law Schools over Job Placement Rates
Graduates claim schools inflate job placement rates
By Al Romero | Thursday, Feb 2, 2012 | Updated 10:20 AM CSTView Comments () | Email | Print
Three prominent Chicago law schools are named in lawsuits filed by graduates who claim the schools inflated job placement rates.
DePaul University College of Law, John Marshall Law School and Chicago-Kent College of Law are three of 12 schools sued in the country, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
A New York lawyer who filed the suits on behalf of the graduates said many law schools don't tell the truth about job placement rates.
DePaul, John Marshall and Chicago-Kent claim at least 90 percent of their graduates get jobs, according to the lawsuits. But the attorney believes the actual number is much lower.
advertisement
The Chicago schools did not comment because they had not seen the lawsuits.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Law-Schools-Named-In-Lawsuit-138561289.html#ixzz1lImL6Cb3
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Heavyweights including Pritzker, Mansueto launch tech investment fund - Technology - Crain's Chicago Business
Heavyweights including Pritzker, Mansueto launch tech investment fund - Technology - Crain's Chicago Business
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
from: Brian Connolly bconnolly@furthermore.com
to: RONALDMAY@aol.com
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 4:21 PM
subject: Heavyweights including Pritzker, Mansueto launch tech investment fund - Technology - Crain's Chicago Business
: Important mainly because of the people in the conversation.
Brian Connolly
Jan 31 (1 day ago)
to RONALDMAY
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120131/NEWS08/120139931/heavyweights-including-pritzker-mansueto-launch-tech-investment-fund
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Heavyweights including Pritzker, Mansueto launch tech investment fund
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By Lynne MarekJanuary 31, 2012
Today's Headlines
2/1/2012
•American Airlines parent cutting 15% of jobs; plans to add more flights out of Chicago
•Regulators' ruling means Chicago can keep getting air pollution funds
•Local law schools sued over job placement statistics
•Failed ShoreBank divvies up assets: Chase, FDIC the winners
•Allstate crushes estimates on lower disasters
•Hard Rock Hotel Chicago plans China Grill replacement
.
View All of Today's News Headlines.
(Updated 5:16 p.m.)
(Crain's) — A group of 44 Chicago CEOs and venture capitalists, including New World Ventures LLC Founder J.B. Pritzker, Morningstar Inc. CEO Joe Mansueto and Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center CEO Kevin Willer, have formed a $5.7 million fund to invest in new technology businesses, mainly in the Chicago area.
The Firestarter Fund raised $100,000 and $200,000 contributions from the members with an eye to backing technology companies jointly, said Matt Moog, a co-founding member of the fund who is also CEO and founder of Viewpoints Network LLC. The group is unique in the city in that all the members focus on the digital space, he said.
Mr. Moog expects the fund to benefit from the many industry contacts the group can tap and from the expertise and experience group members can share with the startups’ executives.
“It's a very real way to engage 40-plus founders directly in the community,” he said.
Other members of the group include Shoplocoal LLC founder Brian Hand, who co-founded the fund with Mr. Moog; Feedburner Inc. co-founder Eric Lunt; GTCR LLC Principal Bruce Rauner; OkCupid founder and CEO Sam Yagan, and Excelerate Labs CEO and co-founder Troy Henikoff. Messrs. Moog, Hand, Henikoff and Yagan will manage the fund.
Related story: Chicago funds I2A, Firestarter and Hyde Park gear up to bankroll startups
While the group will meet regularly, it will vote electronically on potential investments after a member has provided due diligence on a prospective venture. Members who have contributed $200,000 will have two votes while members who have contributed $100,000 will have one vote, Mr. Moog said. A majority of votes cast will be needed to make an investment, with a higher minimum number of votes cast required for bigger investments. Members may also invest on their own.
The new fund doesn't see itself as a competitor to existing funds in the city, such as the Hyde Park Angels, but rather a complementary capital source that will add another mark of validity to startups that win its backing.
“We don't expect to solely fund anybody,” Mr. Moog said.
While the fund won't be prohibited from investing outside Chicago, most investments are likely to be made in local startups because the group's expertise is here.
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What do you think?
IDA J. wrote:
Wasn't Pritzker behind Phil "Flip" Filipkowski and DivineInterVentures a billion dollar bust?
How does a billion dollars of venture capital disappear? Flip is still in town but he's not talking.
2/1/2012 1:45 AM CST on Chicago Business
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Anthony M. wrote:
Just yesterday I presented to my firm's staff an article titled "For Long Term Investors Who Want To Be In On The Hot Technologies Of The Future: Here are one hundred technological innovations likely by the year 2000." The authors were Herman Kahn and Anthony J. Weiner of the Hudson Institute, a non-profit think tank.
The article was published in the January, 1968 issue of "Institutional Investor" magazine. Inlcuded in the 100 items items identified were "widespread use of cryogenics" and "commercial extraction of oil from shale". It was and may still be considered very enlightening and applicable to this Crains' article.
1/31/2012 4:23 PM CST on Chicago Business
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Brian M. wrote:
Best of luck to the Chi-Tech Shark Tank!
1/31/2012 3:28 PM CST on Chicago Business
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Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120131/NEWS08/120139931/heavyweights-including-pritzker-mansueto-launch-tech-investment-fund#ixzz1lCy23oJq
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May here. First off, Lynne Marek, I will send you $5 in cash for every time you write an article that does not have J. B. Pritzker either in the headline or in the first four paragraphs. I think my stash of $5 bills is safe since I doubt that you can do it.
Lynne, I'll also send you $2 for every article you write which does not quote Matt Moog, Troy Henikoff or Kevin Willer.
Lynne, do Tim Lavengood, Nik Rokop and the Knapp Center, Tech Nexus and Fred Hoch, Dave Culver and VentureShot, the IMD and many others even exist in the world of Crain's? Or is Crain's now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pritzker, Inc.?
Second, to the reader named IDA J, it was Andrew J. "Flip" Filipowski, not Phil Filipowski. J. B. Pritzker had nothing to do with divine interVentures and he never wanted to be tied to it. That billion dollar bust, as you call it, did have money from William Wrigley, Jr., Michael Dell, HP, and many other big name forms in the computer industry. They also gave stock to Michael Jordan. You may have heard of him.
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Web of influence: Chicago's innovative tech companies feed off each other, December 15, 2011, By Michael Alter
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20111215/BLOGS06/111219869/web-of-influence-chicagos-innovative-tech-companies-feed-off-each-other
Crain's BlogsAnn DwyerOn Entrepreneurs
Web of influence: Chicago's innovative tech companies feed off each other
December 15, 2011
By Michael Alter
One of the great things about being a part of the Chicago business community is the tremendous entrepreneurial spirit that exists here. And I don't just say this in a general, let's-feel-good-about-ourselves kind of way. I say that knowing that as of October, Chicago's digital tech companies alone have raised more than $1 billion this year. It's a dramatic increase over last year and even from 2000 when tech companies were at their peak.
The most obvious success story at the center of this, of course, is Groupon, with its roughly 2,000 employees. It's been great to see them grow and hire more people, but what's even greater is that they're far from the only innovator in town. Seeing the growth of local companies as diverse as GrubHub, a food delivery service, and Sertifi, which speeds up contract agreements through e-signing and tracking, has been extremely invigorating.
Navteq provides digital maps for companies such as Garmin and BMW, and has more than 1,000 employees. InnerWorkings is a global print management solutions business with more than 200. At SurePayroll, we're proud to employ more than 200 people to provide online payroll processing for small businesses.
There are countless examples like these — relatively small companies using technology to create business models with national appeal.
What's helping to make this a pattern in Chicago is that they're being fostered by a supportive community. Take a look at BuiltInChicago.org. Matt Moog, of Viewpoints.com, started the social platform as a place for a small group of entrepreneurs to share ideas. Soon he was joined by J.B. Pritzker of New World Ventures; Eric Lefkofsky of Lightbank and Groupon; Joe Mansueto of Morningstar, and Bob Fealy of Duchossois Group as founding sponsors, who gave $100,000 to expand the network.
Today BuiltInChicago.org is an excellent resource for digital enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who are interested in starting their own businesses and finding jobs, or just in connecting with like-minded individuals and gaining more knowledge. As members of the network, these burgeoning homegrown tech companies are learning from each other, so that they can all grow together.
Hats off to the founders for making a significant contribution to the supportive entrepreneurial environment that Chicago has become. These efforts lead to more start-ups, which in turn create more jobs. As we know, it's small businesses that hire the most people and drive the economy.
We also have a new mayor who seems to be behind this movement and world-class education in the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. All of this makes the city a great place to be an upstart business owner or digital professional.
These may not be the best of times economically, but we do seem to be entering a sort of renaissance here at home for an interconnected web of tech companies that are both cutting-edge and practical. Small companies with big ideas. In Chicago, it's becoming the rule rather than the exception.
Michael Alter is president and CEO of SurePayroll, a small-business payroll services company based in Glenview.
Follow SurePayroll and Michael Alter on Twitter.
We welcome your comments, but to comment, you have to register! Registration is free – click here to get started.
Follow Ann on Twitter at @AnnDwyer_Crains.
.
Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20111215/BLOGS06/111219869/web-of-influence-chicagos-innovative-tech-companies-feed-off-each-other#ixzz1lCitR61j
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Illinois is Moving Forward -- and how the heck did I get on a fundraising list for Gov. Quinn?
Illinois is Moving Forward
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Governor Pat Quinn info@quinnforillinois.com via bounce.myngp.com
1:41 PM (4 hours ago)
to ronaldmay
Images are not displayed. Display images below - Always display images from info@quinnforillinois.com
Dear Supporter,
As Governor Quinn delivered the State of the State address today, one sentence stuck out: "Illinois is moving forward."
Can you help Governor Quinn fight for progress by donating $25, $50, $100 or $250 right now?
When Governor Quinn assumed office three years ago, our state was in the midst of several serious crises. These have not been an easy three years, and there is still work to do. But we are proud of the progress that Governor Quinn has made. Here are just a few of his many accomplishments of the past year:
Economic Development:
52,600 jobs created in 2011 - leading the Midwest
Increasing exports 30% and leading trade missions to Asia and Europe
Extending the Research and Development Tax Credit
Encouraging entrepreneurs by launching the Illinois Innovation Council
Helping Families:
Doubling the Earned Income Tax Credit
Becoming just the 6th state to allow civil unions for same-sex couples
Financing nearly 3,500 affordable housing units, and providing foreclosure assistance
Reform:
Abolishing the Death Penalty
Reforming workers' compensation laws - saving businesses between $500 and $750 million while still protecting workers
Reforming unemployment insurance that will save businesses $400 million over 8 years and cut taxes 15% on many businesses without cutting benefits.
Education:
Passing the Illinois DREAM Act
Improving accountability and training for teachers and administrators
Winning $42.8 million through the federal Race to the Top program
Help us fight for these initiatives by contributing what you can.
Here are just a few of the many examples of progress being made in our great state. While progress has been made, we need your help to keep fighting for jobs, reform, and quality education in the Land of Lincoln. Will you help restore pride in Illinois by donating $25, $50, $100, or $250 right now? Together, we can ensure that the will of the people becomes the law of the land.
Sincerely,
Team Quinn
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One-Year Anniversary of The Startup America Initiative
One-Year Anniversary of The Startup America Initiative
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Bruce Montgomery onepresence@yahoo.com
1:25 PM (4 hours ago)
to GIO
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 31, 2012
On One-Year Anniversary of Startup America Initiative President Obama Sends Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress
Administration Takes Immediate Steps to Accelerate Startup and Small Business Growth
Today, on the one-year anniversary of both the White House Startup America Initiative and the private-sector Startup America Partnership, President Obama sent a Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress which will expand tax relief and unlock capital for startups and small businesses that are creating jobs. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take steps to attract and retain foreign-born entrepreneurs and highly-skilled immigrants so they can start up the next generation of small businesses and great American companies. The Administration also unveiled several new agency actions to accelerate the growth of young, job-creating companies, at the same time that new entrepreneur-led regional coalitions are launching throughout the nation.
“One year ago today, I called for an all hands on deck effort to ensure that America remains the best place on Earth to turn a great idea into a successful business. The private sector responded, with the Startup America Partnership launching new entrepreneurial networks all across the country. Today, we’re taking new steps that build on that progress, and I urge Congress to send me a common-sense bipartisan bill that does even more to expand access to capital and cut taxes for America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said President Obama.
In last week’s State of the Union, the President said that “Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year.” Building on this statement and proposals put forward in the Jobs Act in September, today the President delivered an agenda that outlines bipartisan ideas to help startups and small businesses succeed.
The Startup America Legislative Agenda contains four tax breaks for small businesses and four proposals that will help expand access to capital and a provision to address immigrant visa backlogs and a provision to address immigrant visa backlogs:
• Cutting taxes for small businesses: The President is proposing to build on the 17 small business tax cuts he has already signed into law with four new tax cuts to encourage growth and investment:
o Expand and Make Permanent Zero Capital Gains on Small Business Investments: The President is proposing to make permanent a tax cut he put forward and signed into law in 2010 that eliminates taxes on capital gains in key investments in small businesses.
o Reward Job Creation with a New Jobs and Wages Tax Credit: The President is proposing a new tax credit for 2012 that would provide a 10 percent income tax credit on new payroll for small businesses—through either hiring or increased wages—added in 2012.
o Double Deductions for Startup Expenses: The President is proposing to permanently double the amount of start-up expenses entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes from $5,000 to $10,000.
o Extend 100 Percent Depreciation: The President is proposing to extend 100-percent first-year depreciation for one year, effective for qualified property acquired and placed in service before January 1, 2013.
• Unlocking capital access for growing companies: The President is putting forward responsible measures that will help growing businesses access financing consistent with investor protections, including:
o Expand Mini-Offering Limits: The President is calling to raise the offering limit under Regulation A from $5 million to $50 million, coupled with strong investor protections.
o Crowdfunding: The President is calling for a national framework that allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to raise capital through “crowdfunding.”
o Creating an “IPO on-ramp”: The President is calling for changes in how our current securities laws and regulations are phased in for smaller, young companies in their first years after going public in an initial public offering (IPO).
o Expand the Small Business Investment Company Program: The President is calling to increase the SBIC program to allow for up to $4 billion in annual support.
• Relieving the backlog of immigrant visas: As put forward in his Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System, the President is proposing to:
o Eliminate Country-Specific Caps: The President is calling for a balanced approach to eliminate country-specific caps for certain immigrant visa categories to attract more high skilled foreign workers, including entrepreneurs.
In response to the President’s call for action on these issues last September, there has been growing bipartisan support for components of the President’s agenda, and the Administration looks forward to working with Congress to pass legislation without delay. To view details of the Startup America Legislative Agenda, clickHERE.
One year ago, the President called for an all-hands-on-deck effort to promote the success of entrepreneurs across the country. As a private-sector response, Steve Case (AOL co-founder and member of the President’s Jobs Council) and the Kauffman Foundation formed the Startup America Partnership, a nonprofit alliance of entrepreneurs, major corporations, and service providers that has mobilized over $1 billion in business resources to serve as many as 100,000 startups over the next three years. Today the Partnership is launching nine new entrepreneur-led regional networks across the country in the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Vermont, while previously launched Startup Regions are celebrating in Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Tennessee.
Today the Administration also announced a series of new steps to expand access to capital, cut red tape, and accelerate innovation, building on a year of prior actions through the White House Startup America Initiative. DHS announced several measures they will implement to streamline existing pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs to enter and create businesses in the U.S., retain more foreign-born science and technology graduates from U.S. universities, facilitate immigration by top researchers, and help U.S. startups and other companies compete for global talent. To view the details of DHS’ administrative reforms announced today, click HERE. The State Department also plans to announce a regulatory change which will enable employees who are intercompany transferees to take advantage of longer visas from the outset of their transfer to the United States. To view the details of this pending regulatory change, click HERE.
Additional Administration commitments to promote startups and small businesses announced today include:
• New Challenges Fueling Regional Innovation: The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is launching the third round of the i6 Challenge, which funds regional collaborations to bring innovative, ground-breaking ideas from the lab to the marketplace, creating new startups and jobs across the country. Commerce is also launching a new initiative to connect entrepreneurs with the resources made available through the Startup America Partnership and its partners.
• New Round of America’s Next Top Energy Innovator: The Department of Energy is kicking off a second year of America’s Next Top Energy Innovator, a program that dramatically reduces the cost and red tape facing startup companies that license federal energy technology. Up to 15,000 patents held by our national laboratories will be available for startups to license at a steep discount, representing a savings of $10,000 to $50,000.
• Building a Regional Mentor Network: The U.S. Small Business Administration will launch a series of regional events at accelerators and universities to build a network connecting participants in the high-growth entrepreneurial sector, with the goal of scaling new and growing existing mentoring programs for entrepreneurs.
• National Education Startup Challenge: The Department of Education is opening the doors of the National Education Startup Challenge, inviting students from 6th grade up to college age to develop an innovative solution to an education problem and design a blueprint for a new company or non-profit organization to deliver that solution. Winning students will be celebrated by senior White House and Department of Education officials and may qualify for additional recognition opportunities.
• Startup America Policy Challenge: In December 2011, the White House launched the Startup America Policy Challenge, asking entrepreneurs and the American public how to knock down barriers to innovation in healthcare IT, clean energy, and learning technologies. In response, today the Arizona State University (ASU) School of Public Affairs is leading a network of schools, scholars, and problem-solvers from across the country in a contest to generate the best solutions. Finalists of the contest will be invited to Washington, DC to present their ideas to a panel of expert judges from business and academia, as well as meet with principals from the relevant agency (Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dept. of Education, or Dept. of Energy) to discuss their proposals.
To view full details of the White House Startup America Initiative, including a progress report on key executive actions, click HERE.
Bruce Eric Montgomery
Montgomery & Company, Inc.
Technology | Innovation | Commerce
9 West Washington Blvd., Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60602
1-312-725-8601
email: onepresence@yahoo.com
twitter: @onepresence
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brucemontgomery
____________________________
Layton Olson: January 31, 2012 - FCC Reforms, Modernizes Lifeline Program for Low-Income Americans | FCC.gov
January 31, 2012 - FCC Reforms, Modernizes Lifeline Program for Low-Income Americans | FCC.gov
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
from: Layton E. Olson leo@howehutton.com
to: "Layton E. Olson" <leo@howehutton.com>
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 3:32 PM
subject: January 31, 2012 - FCC Reforms, Modernizes Lifeline Program for Low-Income Americans | FCC.gov
: Important mainly because it was sent directly to you.
Layton E. Olson leo@howehutton.com
Jan 31 (1 day ago)
to Layton
Colleagues,
January 31, 2012. Here is link to FCC action today to Modernize the Lifeline Program for low-income telephone users, and to develop Pilot Programs to encourage carriers to offer affordable broadband Internet services to such customers.
http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reforms-modernizes-lifeline-program-low-income-americans
While more detailed analyses will come shortly, note the following:
1. National Lifeline database to assure each household has only one subsidized telephone account, and the same for Internet services when offered. There is a savings target of $200 million based on $33 million in savings in 12 states, and lays the basis for annual budgeting for Lifeline programs.
2. Broadband Adoption Program and initiatives to increase digital literacy at libraries and schools. An initial $25 million will be available to local telecommunication carriers which undertake a variety of innovative approaches to provide affordable Internet outreach to low income families, and link these efforts with digital literacy and low cost equipment programs. An additional programs to increase digital literacy training at libraries and schools will be to subject of an upcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. FCC is encouraging innovative Internet connetion programs, such as Connect to Compete models of affordable Internet to low income families with children in schools.
For Illinois, which is a relatively low Lifeline penetration state, this may mean opportunities for innovative Internet outreach programs in partnership with telecommunication carriers, such as in 139 low income areas identified by Partnersip for a Connected Illinois. Based on Illinois population of 4.25% of national population, the Broadband Adoption Pilot program would make over $1 million in awards to Illinois providers in 2012, although the program is competitive among the states. As well, there are opportunities for libararies and schools to systematically review digital literacy training programs, as well as for Community Anchor Institution networks in all 10 DCEO regions and 48 community college areas to work together on Internet Skills Partnerships, including those linked with this spring's Eliminate the Digital Divide grant program of DCEO.
An excellent step forward by the FCC, based on a year's worth of hard works, including to reduce the costs of the program, supported by consumer telecommunication taxes, and to target them to areas of greatest needs for inceasing Internet connectivity and the economic productivity arising from a fully networked society committed to increasing Internet connectivity from today's 65% (approximately, with many communities under 50%) and for businesses today at 75% to world-competitive rates of 95 % (same as telephone and TV penetration) and 100% (for busineses, community enterprises and public agencies).
Layton Olson
Partnership for a Connected Illinois
312-263-3001
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Live | FCC.gov Open Commission meeting 11:00 am (Eastern time) -- see link to Accessible Events with code # 005202376 as listed on FCC screen
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Layton E. Olson leo@howehutton.com
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
to RONALDMAY
http://www.fcc.gov/live
10:00 am Central time.
_______________________
January 31, 2012 / 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST / Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street S.W., Washington, DC
The FCC will hold an Open Meeting on the subject listed below, in Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.
*Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to comprehensively reform the Lifeline program to ensure universal availability of communications services to low-income Americans while minimizing the universal service contribution burden, including by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse; strengthening program oversight and administration; and modernizing Lifeline to support broadband adoption.
_____________________________
Miscellaneous notes (8 messages) -- and one of them may be a job for Neil Kane who could teach nanotech to high school students
______________________
#1: Subject: Re: Chris, I hear your firm's doing well. From a guy who rarely says nice things.
Date: 1/31/2012 10:38:57 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: chill@perkspot.com
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com
Ron,
Great to hear from you. Your unnamed and unknown (to me) source is correct – our firm is doing very well. We will soon be making some exciting announcements, so be on the lookout. And we are hiring. So feel free to send any talented folks my way.
Best,
Chris
From: "RONALDMAY@aol.com" <RONALDMAY@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:43:40 -0500
To: Christopher Hill <chill@perkspot.com>
Cc: "ronaldmay@aol.com" <ronaldmay@aol.com>
Subject: Chris, I hear your firm's doing well. From a guy who rarely says nice things.
___________________________
#2: Foxconn Plant in Shenzhen China
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Dane Ronvik - Datasis dane@datasis.com
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
from: Dane Ronvik - Datasis dane@datasis.com
to: RONALDMAY@aol.com
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 9:17 AM
subject: Foxconn Plant in Shenzhen China
: Important mainly because of the words in the message.
from: Dane Ronvik - Datasis dane@datasis.com
to: RONALDMAY@aol.com
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 9:17 AM
subject: Foxconn Plant in Shenzhen China
: Important mainly because of the words in the message.
to RONALDMAY
Ron -
You really need to take an hour and listen to this podcast from WBEZ's "This American Life" with Ira Glass:
"Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory"
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/454/mr-daisey-and-the-apple-factory
You'll never look at your iPad the same way again. But it's not just Apple products. Almost all our electronic gizmos contain components made in factories like this Foxconn plant in Shenzhen China.
Amazing story! Please take the time to listen to it. You won't be sorry.
Dane Ronvik
Datasis Corporation
www.datasis.com
847-427-0909
_______________________________
#3: Facebook IPOD / Marc Andreessen
Inbox
x
Name and address withheld upon request
4:36 PM (6 hours ago)
to me, Ronald
Please withhold my identity.
I thought you'd find it interesting that Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen is among the Directors listed on Facebook's S-1.
http://tinyurl.com/8xwegdp
_________________________________
#4: from: Wesley Groot wesg@earthlink.net
to: "ron@themayreport.com" <ron@themayreport.com>
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 7:20 AM
subject: Story about Foxconn
mailed-by: earthlink.net
signed-by: earthlink.net
: Important mainly because of the people in the conversation.
Story about Foxconn
Inbox
x
Wesley Groot wesg@earthlink.net
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
to me
Ron,
A guy named Mike Daisey did a story on Foxconn for This American Life that aired on the 16th. He went inside the company posing as a potential client.
It's amazing.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/454/mr-daisey-and-the-apple-factory
Cheers,
________________________________
#5: Wheeling High School Takes First Step to Introduce Nanotechnology into Curriculum
Inbox
x
from: Joshua Taustein jtaustein@dresnerco.com
to:
date: Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 8:58 AM
subject: Wheeling High School Takes First Step to Introduce Nanotechnology into Curriculum
mailed-by: dresnerco.com
: Important mainly because of the people in the conversation.
Joshua Taustein jtaustein@dresnerco.com
Jan 30 (3 days ago)
to undisclosed recipients
NanoProfessor, a division of NanoInk, Inc. focused on nanotechnology education, announced today that Wheeling High School, which is a recognized Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, took the first step to further advance its stellar science education program by attending a three-day NanoCamp at NanoProfessor’s facilities. During the three-day camp, faculty from Wheeling’s science department learned more about nanotechnology and gained hands-on experience working with the cutting-edge nano-focused instrumentation included within the NanoProfessor Program.
Please see the attached press release and photo for more information and let me know if you have any questions. Interviews are available upon request.
Regards,
______________________________
#6: Re: The May Report: 2/2/2012: Yesterday was a palindrome (2/1/12), but I was in tests all day at NMH for what looks like it may become reality in the next 12 mos., a kidney transplant!; unfortunately, donation is down this last year, but the higher mu
Inbox
x
from: philcoextra phil@doejo.com
to: The May Report <ron@themayreport.com>
date: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:01 AM
subject: Re: The May Report: 2/2/2012: Yesterday was a palindrome (2/1/12), but I was in tests all day at NMH for what looks like it may become reality in the next 12 mos., a kidney transplant!; unfortunately, donation is downthis last year, but the higher mu
mailed-by: gmail.com
signed-by: gmail.com
philcoextra phil@doejo.com
10:01 AM (15 hours ago)
to me
Images are not displayed. Display images below - Always display images from phil@doejo.com
This is so cool! I wonder what agency is designing this for them!
http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/01/levar-burton-snags-readingrainbow-twitter-handle-to-push-new-reading-app/
On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Philip Tadros <philcoextra@gmail.com> wrote:
Good luck Ron
++++++++++++++++++++++++
from: philcoextra phil@doejo.com
to: The May Report <ron@themayreport.com>
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 4:36 PM
subject: CBA
mailed-by: gmail.com
signed-by: gmail.com
: Important mainly because of the words in the message.
CBA
Inbox
x
philcoextra phil@doejo.com
Jan 31 (1 day ago)
to me
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2570851185979&set=a.2532148938447.2112301.1095228542&type=1&theater
____________________________
#7: rocketship and K-12 Inc.
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
from: Brian Cullnan cull6@att.net
reply-to: Brian Cullnan <cull6@att.net>
to: "ronaldmay@aol.com" <ronaldmay@aol.com>
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 1:07 AM
subject: rocketship and K-12 Inc.
signed-by: att.net
Brian Cullnan cull6@att.net
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
to ronaldmay
Hi Ronald,
have been reading your stuff for some time, and I have been trying to find out whether CPS is considering a big contract for online or digital learning with either Rocketship or K-12 Inc..
The idea behind the controversial 7.5 hour school day is to add two 50 min. online leaning sessions, one in reading and one in math, for all elementary kids.
They want to make h.s. kids take an online course in addition to all there other courses they take.
The reason is so that they can cut teachers and unfunded pension obligations and to make boatloads of money, of course.
K-12 Inc. was part of Krest Inc., which had been named Knowledge Universe. Knowledge Universe was funded by Mike Milkin. He offered a private placement or $1 billion in March 2011. is there any way to find out who participated in that?
Can you help dig through some of this stuff?
Thanks! Maureen Cullnan
Brian Cullnan cull6@att.net
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
to ronaldmay
I think that Steve Goldsmith, former mayor of Indianopolis, and principal in NetGov is involved in some way.
From: Brian Cullnan <cull6@att.net>
To: "ronaldmay@aol.com" <ronaldmay@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:07 AM
Subject: rocketship and K-12 Inc.
_____________________________
#8: 247 South State's $8M Tech TIF: Top 100 Things Ron May Wants to Know: Part 3: Rahm Slow to Implement TIF Reforms
Inbox
x
Thomas Bennett tomrbennett@yahoo.com
8:23 PM (3 hours ago)
to Ronaldmay, me
Ron:
Did you see yesterday's press coverage of Rahm's attempts to enforce redevelopment agreements?
To borrow a phrase from Rahm's refusal to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary, Rahm is still hiding under a desk related to tackling TIF as there is still no mention in Chicago's Mainstream Press of the $8,000,000 that was allocated to 247 South State Street and never repaid due to both non-compliance and possible fraud - which means - NuclearChicago.com now has to continue to report upon it.
----------
Emanuel slow to implement TIF reforms
http://austintalks.org/2012/02/emanuel-slow-to-implement-tif-reforms/
Three firms to refund $34 million in TIF subsidies
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/10328760-418/emanuel-wants-tif-subsidies-tied-to-job-creation.html
----------
The Sun-Times headline is very misleading as Rahm is using "Mumbo-Jumbo-Arithmetic" in promoting a $34 million dollar refund as, according to the January 30, 2012 Sun-Times, "The largest break — $15 million — comes from CME Group, which was granted a TIF subsidy but is taking a pass because it no longer needs the help after settling its tax issues with the state. The subsidy was authorized and budgeted but not yet given to CME."
If the $15 million subsidy was never funded to CME Group, then how was same $15 million refunded?
But it gets better.....Rahm is also claiming that CNA Insurance refunded a $13.7 million
According to same Sun-Times article, "Another $13 million will come from the CNA group. The insurance giant got a $13.7 million subsidy in December 2008 to renovate its 333 S. Wabash headquarters, but used the money to renovate and lease space it no longer needed after a corporate restructuring.
The redevelopment agreement required CNA to maintain at least 2,700 employees at the site through 2018, but fell short of the requirement for all of 2010. The funds will go to local taxing districts now that the Central Loop TIF has expired."
Well....the $13 million coming from CNA appears to be funded almost entirely from rent that CNA has been receiving from the Chicago Housing Authority - same organization that formerly warehoused both Rahm and Marty Nesbitt as Vice Chairman and Chairman, respectively. According to a May 16, 2006 Crain's Chicago Business article, "The CHA has signed a 15-year lease for about 164,000 square feet in CNA's prominent red tower at 333 S. Wabash Ave., the agency said. The CHA would move from 626 W. Jackson Blvd., a 103,000-square-foot building that the agency has outgrown since acquiring it in 1993."
Pursuant to the Crain's-report, CNA is presumably generating at least $2,700,000 per year in rental income from the Chicago Housing Authority - whose budget is funded entirely from The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Five years worth of rental income from the Chicago Housing Authority (escalations not included) paid to CNA Insurance equals a sum of $13,500,000.
According to same January 30, 2012 Sun-Times article, "The third refund — nearly $5.4 million — will come from Bank of America, which took over a TIF redevelopment agreement for 540 W. Madison from ABN Amro and was required to honor ABN’s job promises."
Here's a snapshot of Rahm's $34,000,000 refund:
CME Group's $15,000,000 (never funded, therefore not a refund).
CNA Group's $13,000,000 (funded almost entirely from HUD, therefore a 100% backed by Federal Government).
Bank of America's $5,400,000 (received $45B in TARP).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total Mumbo-Jumbo-Malarkey Sum: $33,400,000
In a nutshell, good effort by Rahm, however, the headline should read:
$45B TARP Bailout Recipient B-of-A provides City of Chicago a $5M gift as Rahm Refuses to Remedy $8M Refund Due to City via 247 South State Street Redevelopment Agreement.
Next headline should read:
Rahm re-gifts $4.7M of $5M B-of-A gift.....but who gets the remaining $300,000?
God Bless Chicago and God Bless America and God Bless All Fallen Officers (and the families) of the Chicago Police Department - including the wife and two daughters of Chicago Police Officer Paul Nauden who died of a heart attack this past May.
Police pay tribute to fallen officer
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8527816
Slainte,
TRB
Thomas R. Bennett
Thomas Bennett Limited
Bennett Real Estate Partners
Mobile Money 360°
NuclearChicago.com
________________________
Sunday, Feb. 12 ??? Jeff Willinger, is that right, this seminar is on a Sunday morning??: Business Intelligence: Leverage the Full Potential of Your SAP Data Free Seminar
from: Jeff Willinger jwillinger@rightpoint.com
to: "RONALDMAY@aol.com" <RONALDMAY@aol.com>
date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 11:36 PM
subject: Business Intelligence: Leverage the Full Potential of Your SAP Data Free Seminar
Business Intelligence: Leverage the Full Potential of Your SAP Data Free Seminar
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Jeff Willinger jwillinger@rightpoint.com
Jan 31 (1 day ago)
to RONALDMAY
Join us for a business executive seminar focused on a unique, cost effective offering to get strategic business Intelligence data out of your SAP ERP system and turn facts into insights. This BI seminar has been designed to give you a good understanding of Microsoft's BI strategy and Simplement’s Liberator solutions on any platform. February 12 at Microsoft’s Chicago Office 200 E Randolph St 8:30am-noon. Register here: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=158769&wa=wsignin1.0
Simplement’s Data Liberator makes it simple to have real-time, in memory reporting and analytics with your SAP data and the business intelligence tools of your choice. You will also hear real world stories about how other companies have leveraged Simplement and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Stack. Additionally, you will learn:
1. How to leverage your existing SAP information and infrastructure to take advantage of Business Intelligence.
2. How to get SAP Business Intelligence information to mobile devices & tablets.
3. What are the key advantages of Simplement/ Microsoft Business Intelligence vs. other options
______________________________
Saturday, Feb. 4: IL Science Council: You can study U.S. social/drinking customs. Or don't and just have fun for a good cause
You can study U.S. social/drinking customs. Or don't and just have fun for a good cause.
Inbox
x
ronaldmay@aol.com
x
Monica Metzler mmetzler@illinoisscience.org via illinoisscience.ccsend.com
Jan 31 (2 days ago)
to me
Images are not displayed. Display images below - Always display images from mmetzler@illinoisscience.org
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
Hi Friend of Science!
Illinois Science Council invites you to a special fundraising event. There will be beautiful people and smart people and interesting people (often the same people), food and drink, and all things science. Too much fun to possibly explain here, so come see for yourself!
The Science of a Cocktail Party
(a scientifically enhanced fundraiser!)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
8:00 - 11:00pm
DIRTT* Environmental Solutions
Green Learning Center Showroom
325 N. Wells Street, Penthouse Suite 1000
*Doin' It Right This Time
Guaranteed to brighten up your winter.
You won't want to miss this!
Click here to get tickets now.
Tickets are $70 ($85 at the door)
SCIENCE COCKTAIL FAQs
Attire - Cocktail party but weather appropriate. That means, if you want to wear your cute party dress or cool new shirt - fantastic. But if it's cold and blizzard-y out and you can't imagine wearing anything but flannel-lined jeans and a big sweater, that's fine with us! You can ditch your boots at the door - the drinks and conversation will warm you right up. Just no pajamas please.
Bonus Parking - Special DISCOUNT ($4.00!!!) parking available at Mart Parc Self Park garage, 401 N. Wells at Kinzie St., one block north of DIRTT. We'll give you a voucher at the party to use when you leave.
Bonus treat - Make it a night out! Fulton's on the River (a fantastic restaurant) will offer bar and menu specials to anyone who mentions they're coming to the ISC event! It's a block away at 315 N. LaSalle Street, so you can treat yourself to a special dinner before our special event!
Public Transit - Easy! Event is right across the street from the southeast doors of Merchandise Mart. CTA brown stops on 2nd level of the Mart. Tip - there is no down escalator in the Mart; take the stairs on left outside CTA turnstiles. Or, LaSalle #156 bus stops one block east at 320 LaSalle. Follow the narrow sidewalk north of the building.
This is a 21+ event. (There will be pop rocks, nonetheless.)
Handicap accessible - Yes, DIRTT is accessible.
Bonus Quote - "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity." - Albert Einstein
About Illinois Science Council:
ISC is an independent, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that engages, educates, and entertains the adult public about science and technology in our everyday lives. We showcase the scientists and research of the Chicago-area institutions and companies that make Chicago the nation's true "City of Science."
We are inspired and motivated by this Carl Sagan quote: "We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." It's true, but it's also very serious. ISC explores all areas of science and technology but we do it with a fun, non-stuffy approach. We don't care what's been forgotten since school (or never learned in the first place). Our "mascots" - Muppets Dr. Bunson Honeydew and Beaker - hang around to remind us that science and technology are not only important, but interesting and fun too! It's all about simply continuing to exercise our sense of curiosity. Visit: IllinoisScience.org for more info or to get involved.
____________________________
Tuesday, Feb. 7: BNC VC Group: Len and Dave, where is the list of presenters???
Subject: BNC VC Group 2/7/11 Hosted by Polsinelli Shughart PC
Date: 2/1/2012 3:15:23 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: len_bland@conceptequity.com
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
Click here to see web version of this notice http://conceptequity.com/BNCVCGroup.htm
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2/7/2012, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Polsinelli Shughart, 161 N. Clark. 41st Floor, Chicago, IL
Entrepreneurs, send your executive summary to len_bland@conceptequity.com to be considered to present at the BNC Venture Capital Group.
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Polsinelli Shughart PC is one of the top 100 law firms in the country, with more than 530 attorneys in 16 cities stretching from Washington, D.C. to Phoenix.
Whether you need legal counsel to structure your business or organization; to ensure it is compliant with industry or government regulations; or to protect it in litigation situations, Polsinelli Shughart has the broad range of experience and depth of attorneys to help you meet your legal objectives. Our attorneys think like entrepreneurs. Problems are solved, not prolonged. We mobilize with a sense of urgency. We provide clear answers but don't stop there. Meaningful perspective and counsel always follow.
We assist our start-up company clients in numerous ways, including developing intellectual property strategies, launching websites, raising capital, acquiring and selling technologies and companies, and developing strategic partnerships. In addition, we prepare and review a wide range of technologies, vendor and licensing agreements. We also protect our clients' intellectual property assets through trademarks, copyrights, patents, licensing agreements, employment agreements, privacy policies, litigation, technology development, trade secret protection and research and development issues. Thanks to our firm's entrepreneurial background, we also have represented some of the Midwest's hottest new companies with private equity offerings - including one of the fastest growing Internet security companies and a pioneer in the field of alternative energy.
If you would like more information on how we can assist you, please contact Chris Pesch at (312) 873-2968 or James Asmussen at (312) 873-3697.
Three entrepreneurs make their pitch for capital.
The BNC Venture Capital Group introduces exciting investment opportunities to professional investors (angels, early stage venture capitalists, and private equity firms seeking add-ons) and fosters the growth of entrepreneurial activity.
Len Bland, CEO of Concept Equity, and David Carman, CEO of Business Network Chicago, lead the BNC Venture Capital Group. Each presentation lasts 10 minutes, followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
Effective presentations answer 5 questions:
·What is the product or service?
-Why will customers buy it?
·Why is this management team the best one to run the business?
-How does the company make money?
·How will the investor make money?
5:00 PM - Networking
5:30 PM - Introductions
5:45 PM - Presentations
Polsinelli Shughart
161 N. Clark Street, 41st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Sign up at123Signup - Event cost $25 (late $30)
Evening Meeting includes food and beverages
Call Len Bland at 847-317-0656 or write len_bland@conceptequity.com with questions or if you have any difficulty registering. Other investors welcome.
If you have a scheduling conflict, please join us for the next meeting set for the first Tuesday of each month.
DISCLAIMER: Neither the BNC Venture Capital Group, Concept Equity Group, Inc. (together with BNC Venture Capital Group, the "Sponsor") nor the host for this event, Polsinelli Shughart PC (Polsinelli), has verified, approved or endorsed any materials or information provided (whether in writing or orally) by the presenters, audience or other participants at this event . UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SPONSOR OR POLSINELLI BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY MANNER FOR, AND EACH OF SPONSOR AND POSINELLI DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY WHATSOEVER IN RELATION TO, ANY MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY, OR THE CONDUCT OF, THE PRESENTERS, AUDIENCE OR PARTICIPANTS AT THIS EVENT OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTIES (INCLUDING, FOR EACH OF SPONSOR AND POSINELLI, ANY MATERIALS OR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY, OR THE CONDUCT OF, THE OTHER). In addition, any written materials provided by POLSINELLI, and any presentations made generally to the participants at this event by POLSINELLI, are solely for informational purposes and are not intended to constitute legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship.
Previous Presenters
Click Here for Information on Previous Presenters.
For More Information Contact:
Len Bland, Concept Equity Group, Inc.
Follow Len Bland and Concept Equity on twitter @conceptlen
See Len Bland's latest blog
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We prepare entrepreneurs by:
Introducing vendors, customers, talent, and investors
Preparing investor communications
Providing strategic insight
We engage investors by:
Learning their creativity and passion
Leveraging their experience
Qualifying entrepreneurs
We match successful business people with entrepreneurs. Contact len_bland@conceptequity.com if you would like to be included in a list of recommended business people.
More about our services
__________________________
Thursday, February 16 (in Urbana): 2nd Showing "Journey into Dyslexia" Documentary: Urbana LEAP Group
2nd Showing "Journey into Dyslexia" Documentary: Urbana LEAP Group
Inbox
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Illinois Branch of The International Dyslexia Association info@readibida.org via auth.ccsend.com
Jan 30 (3 days ago)
to me
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Greetings Everyone,
We had an overflow crowd of teachers and parents at the January 24th LEAP study group meeting. We were able to arrange large meeting room to show the film again.
LEAP & IBIDA is pleased to provide a special second showing of this new and highly informative movie. Teachers, parents, administrators, high school and college students and counselors will find this a very moving film. We will have time for discussion after the film and each school will receive a discussion guide and information about how to order the film.
Marilyn Kay, LEAP Coordinator
Journey into Dyslexia presents profiles of students and adults with dyslexia who share their experiences of struggling in school and then succeeding in life. Academy-Award winning filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond examine the complexities of this differently structured brain and debunk the myths and misperceptions about dyslexia.
Among the notable adults with dyslexia who recount their struggles and triumphs in the film are consumer advocate Erin Brockovich; Ben Foss, inventor of the Intel Reader; Steve Walker, New England Pellet founder and CEO; micro sculptor Willard Wigan; and Dr. Carol Greider, 2009 Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine. Journey into Dyslexia originally aired on HBO2 on May 11, 2011
Click here to view a Clip
http://videoverite.tv/pages/film-JID-about.html
PROVIDERS: The Illinois Branch of the International Dyslexia Association and LEAP (Linking Educators And Parents) a dyslexia study group
TIME: Thursday, February 16, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Urbana Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, West Green St. Urbana (Come to the East Door of the education wing.)
REGISTRATION: Free! Registration required by email to mfkay@sbcglobal.net and include name and school or address.
CREDITS: CPDU credits are available through ROE School/Works for teachers who request credit in their registration message.
___________________________
Cards Ron collected at the MIT-EF Advanced Manufacturing meeting on 1/17/2012
Caitlin Cummings
Business Development Associate
Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing
www.illinoismanufacturing.org
ccummings@illinoismanufacturing.org
Mark Menarik
Business Development Manager
XG Sciences
www.xgsciences.com
m.menarik@xgsciences.com
Dean S. Santopoalo
Focused in Leadership
www.filchicago.com
dean@filchicago.com
Karen Huber
Engineering Manager
Caterpillar
huber_karen _j@cat.com
Timothy E. Curley
Financial Advisor
UBS
www.ubs.com
timothy.curley@ubs.com
Mike Johnston
Managing Director/Chicago
IMEC
www.imec.org
mjohnston@imec.org
Scott A. Fiedler
scottafiedler@gmail.com
Byron E. Miller
Executive Director and President
Paul Carlson Partnership
byron.miller@paulcarlson.org
Larry Dribin
Principal
RCG Information Technologies
larry@dribin.org
Andrew Skipor
Argonne National Labs
nanto2001@yahoo.com
Chuck Corush
Colonial Funding
cmcorush@colonialfundingllc.net
Harry C. Moser
Founder/President
Reshoring Initiative
www.reshorenow.org
harry.moser@comcast.net
Scott E. Miller
Founder/Industrial Engineer
The Innovation Machine
www.theinnovationmachine.com
scotte@theinnovationmachine.com
Kent Vincent
Managing Principal
ISR
www.isandr.com
k.r.vincent@att.net
Ron Sandy
Sr. Business Development Manager
Sterling Engineering
www.sterling-engineering.com
rsandy@sterling-engineering.com
Jonas Talandis
Electronic Visualization Laboratory
UIC
www.evl.uic.edu
jonast@evl.uic.edu
Leslie Page-Piper
Planner/Project Manager
Cook County Department of Planning & Development
leslie.piper@cookcountyil.gov
M. Robert Showalter
mrshowalt@mrshowalter.net
David R. Brown
Ungaretti & Harris
www.uhlaw.com
drbrown@uhlaw.com
Peter A. Creticos
President/Executive Director
www.workandeconomy.org
creticos@workandeconomy.org
David Culver
CMO
Adventerra
www.adventerra.net
david@adventerra.net
Joshua London
President
Allitas
josh@allitas.com
Chris Hollingsworth
Senior Business Development Representative
Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing
www.illinoismanufacturing.org
chollingsworth@illinoismanufacturing.org
Roy W. Klein
Principal
Applied Engineering Technologies
rwk.aet@gmail.com
Maurice Vincent
Senior Manager, Business Development
Tandem HR
www.tandemhr.com
mvincent@tandemhr.com
Keith Sheffer
Global Business Director
Lincoln Electric
www.lincolnelectric.com
keith_sheffer@lincolnelectric.com
Goeff Millewich
QRM
www.qrm.com
geoff.millewich@qrm.com
Brian Ryback
Breakthrough Technologies
www.breaktech.com
brian@breaktech.com
Guy M. Cassidy
COO
ACME Industries
www.acmeind.com
gcassidy@acmeind.com
Gregory B. Olson
QuesTek
golson@questek.com
Heidi Lubin
heidi.lubin@gmail.com
Dick Mulvihill
Managing Partner
Hexistor
www.hexistor.com
dick@hexistor.com
Terrance Flanagan
Collaboration Leader
Smart Decision Services
bflanagan@smartdecisionllc.com
The following people were at the meeting, but I did not get their cards
Joel Berez
joel@berez.com
Michelle White
Nancy Munro
Virgil Mathis
Robert Davidson
Sheldon Rosenfield
Chris Rollyson
Ted Wallhaus
Lenny Feder
Brad Desent
bdesent@apexcg.com
_________________________________
A trip down memory lane:
Cards collected over a period of time by David Dalka,
and some of these people have left or changed jobs
Melissa Giovagnoli
Founder/President
NetWorlding
www.networlding.com
melissa@networlding.com
Leigh Winter
Director of Marketing Communications
Intellext
lwinter@intellext.com
Jon Seymour
CEO
Fave
www.getfave.com
jon@getfave.com
David Carman
VP
Rothschild Investment Corporation
dcarman@rothschildinv.com
Michael Krauss
Managing Principal
Market Strategy Group
www.mkt--strat.com
michael.krauss@mkt--strat.com
Thomas R. May
May Center Advisors
www.may.bz
tom@may.bz
David Armano
Creative Director
Digitas
darmano@digitas.com
John Aiello
Co-Founder/CEO
The Savo Group
www.savogroup.com
john.aiello@savogroup.com
Dan Green
Mortgage Planner
Mobium
dan@dangreenteam.com
Kaarina Koskenalusta
President/CEO
The Executives' Club of Chicago
www.executivesclub.org
kaarinak@executivesclub.org
Harold P. Welsch
Coleman Foundation
DePaul University
hwelsch@depaul.edu
Pek Pongpaet
Founder
FotoViewr
www.fotoviewr.com
pek@fotoviewr.com
LaMarr Barnes
Marketing Manager
Nalco
www.nalco.com
lbarnes@nalco.com
Erika Blackwell
Director of Sales
Brix n Flix
www.brixnflix.com
eblackwell@brixnflix.com
David Weinstein
President
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
www.chicagolandec.org
david@chicagolandec.org
Scott Issen
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
www.chicagolandec.org
scott@chicagolandec.org
Leif Otto
Leif Systems
www.leifsystems.com
leif@leifsystems.com
Alison Zervos
Breakthrough Technologies
www.breaktech.com
alison.zervos@breaktech.com
Jennifer Consalvo
Director Personalization
AOL
jennifer.consalvo@corp.aol.com
John Head
Development Manager
PSC
www.psclistens.com
jhead@psclistens.com
Randy Dill
randal_dill@yahoo.com
Patrick S. Pittsford
Sales Representative
Interpro
www.interproinc.com
ppittsford@interproinc.com
Les Stern
Principal
Drowsy1
www.drowsy1.com
lstern@drowsy1.com
J. Spencer Maus
JASE Consulting
smaus@jaseinc.com
Terry Howerton
CEO
FastRoot
www.fastroot.com
terry.howerton@fastroot.com
Elliott Garms
Co-Founder
Tech in the Middle
www.techinthemiddle.com
elliott@techinthemiddle.com
Daniel B. Honigman
Social Media Strategy Coordinator
Tribune Interactive
dhonigman@tribute.com
Ellis Booker
Editor
BtoB
www.btobonline.com
ebooker@crain.com
Thomas Figel
Managing Partner
LakeEffectCommunications
www.lake-effect.com
tfigel@lake-effect.com
Jim Eiden
www.deadvoter.com
deadvoter@gmail.com
Christopher McCann
AVP Client Services
Gregory Laka & Company
www.laka.com
cmccann@laka.com
Cary Nourie
VP
ITDA
www.itda.biz
nourie@itda.biz
Dave Peak
CEO/Co-Founder
LiquidTalkNetworks
www.liquidtalk.net
dpeak@liquidtalk.net
Tom Sherman
Technology Analyst
Tribune Media Services
www.tms.tribune.com
tsherman@tribune.com
Steven Krull
President
The Krull Group
steve@thekrullgroup.com
Dan Seals
Director of Business Development
ThePoint
dan@thepoint.com
Diane C. Swonk
Director of Economics
Bank1One
diane_swonk@bankone.com
Harper Reed
Engineer
Threadless
www.threadless.com
harperr@skinnycorp.com
Craig Wortmann
President/CEO
WisdomTools
www.wisdomtools.com
craig.wortmann@wisdomtools.com
Jim Orrico
President
AME
www.assistiveme.com
jim@assistiveme.com
Allen Marrinson
Director
OnSite
www.onsitenetwork.net
amarrison@onsitenetwork.net
_______________________________
END OF REPORT
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