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| | The May Report: 2/25/2010: So many events, so little time; Social Media Club tonight at Morningstar; The Big Ooga; The calm before the storm; The deadline for applying to MidVentures is Sunday the 28th
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| | February 25, 2010
The May Report: 2/25/2010: So many events, so little time; Social Media Club tonight at Morningstar; The Big Ooga; The calm before the storm; The deadline for applying to MidVentures is Sunday the 28th
Editor and publisher: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com, www.themayreport.com, 773-525-3944.
If you missed an article, go here: http://www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/vwFullNewsletter
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Marcus Stephen Harris LLC Presents: Software Licensing Seminar Series - Revenue Recognition
Click here for more information and to sign up: http://eepurl.com/hxdB
Negotiating software licenses is a complicated process that takes knowledge and skill. Revenue-recognition problems are arguably the leading cause of restatements among software companies. The consequences of getting it wrong can be severe. Some of the basic criteria for recognizing revenue are dependent on the structure and terms of a software agreement.
This seminar will focus on understanding revenue recognition issues and drafting and negotiating agreements so as to minimize revenue recognition issues.
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:
• Analyze revenue recognition issues
• Avoid problematic language
• Understand Revenue recognition issues and their background
• Determine alternative ways to address customer concerns
Speakers:
Dave Tuttle is a global financial executive with experience in manufacturing, services, and technology companies. He was most recently CFO of Torex Retail US, a global leader in retail software and hardware technology solutions. He also was responsible for implementing US GAAP revenue recognition in conjunction with IFRS reporting for the London and Europe based businesses.
Previously, Dave held several senior roles with hardware, software, and technology services companies ranging from $150 million to $2.2 billion in revenue. He has been involved with two successful IPO's, several debt offerings, and over 20 acquisitions.
Marcus Harris is an attorney that works with technology companies, software developers and users regarding software development, licensing, ownership and distribution. Prior to starting his own practice he was Senior Corporate Counsel at SSA Global.
Details:
When: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Where: TechNexus?200 S. Wacker Drive 15th Floor Chicago, IL 60606
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: $35
Lunch will be provided
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:: TECHLOFTS :: SPACES DESIGNED FOR TECH
Whether your company is expanding to meet demand or contracting to hunker down and ride out the storm, either way, we have unique newly rehabbed spaces in a variety of sizes and at different lease rates. These spaces are wired, a few have wall-mounted 47"LCD's, some are live/work and have fireplaces. Bathrooms and kitchens are always in the space--not down the hall.
We know you need flexibility, so we can tailor the lease term to fit your growth plans, and yes, short term leases are ok. Please click http://www.loopnet.com/profile/5388580701/Peter-Miller/ and see some of the spaces we have available. If you don't see what you need please email us at brightstarmgmt@gmail.com or call Peter @ 312/437-7000 and let us know what you are looking for--if we don't have it, we'll help you find it or we'll build it out.
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rawdesignr is a web startup focusing on building great websites for mid size companies, not-for-profit organizations, startups and networking/meetup groups
The Ron May Newsletter Special:
1. At NO cost, we will provide & DOCUMENT a detailed social media marketing strategy for your organization. This includes meeting with your business in person, learning about your goals, creating the strategy & 6 month roadmap (often 4-5 pages long). Again, there is no cost for this, but you must be in the chicagoland area.
2. If you are a not-for-profit organization OR you are looking for a web team for your networking/meetup organization - we do offer our services at 50% discount.
Our organization is built upon transparency & dedication to making sure our clients have a great, modern, clean & easy to use website.
Please contact Robbie at robbie.abed@rawdesignr.com if interested in our services. Our website is http://www.rawdesignr.com.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Scoop section:
-- Social Media Club Chicago: How Social Media Makes Financial Cents tonight, Feb. 25th
-- Deadline for midVentures25 Chicago Startup Applications is February 28th
-- Illinois, fretting over paucity of business startups, aims to assist tech entrepreneurs
-- The Big Ooga - First Tuesday Event for Entrepreneurs
-- Briefly noted, by Ron May
-- This Friday, February 26th it's Flash Camp Chicago. a full-day of training
and information about Adobe Flex
-- James Nahikian: Best Companies to Work For
-- Sun-Times article by Sandra Guy: Does Motorola need California talent base?
3,000 TO 5,000 JOBS | Chicago area is loaded with tech talent, recruiters say
-- Trib article by Wailin Wong: Making Chicago a high-tech hub? There's no app for that, as they might say in an iPhone commercial
-- Richard Johnson: Need your help to spread the word
-- John Zurawski: Petition to Congress on e-Banking Security
-- Josh Singer: May Day
-- Jonathan Hayward: Looking for web developer position
-- Two events on the 24th you may have missed: JobNob Chicago Happy Hour and Knapp Lecture - Ted Wallhaus (Part 2 of Sales Series)
-- Chicago Community 'Ventures: City Treasurer's Business Plan Competition - Free Workshops!
-- Viewpoints Update - February 2010
-- InvestMidwest Panel Selects a Record 45 Firms to Present at Premier Venture Capital Forum in March
__________________________________________
The Scoop section:
____________________________
Social Media Club Chicago: How Social Media Makes Financial Cents tonight, Feb. 25th
Social Media Club Chicago: How Social Media Makes Financial Cents
Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (CT)
Event Details
How Social Media Makes Financial Cents
Join Social Media Club Chicago for our February event.
We are excited to have the opportunity to have Morningstar, Inc. host SMC Chicago. Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Program
5:30 - 6:15 Networking
6:15 – 7:15 Panel: Finance and Social Media Panel Discussion
7:15 – 8:00 Networking
Speakers
Panel moderated by SMC Chicago President, Jeff Willinger of RightPoint
Drew Metherd
Drew Metherd is senior marketing manager at Morningstar. Drew is responsible for syndication, search marketing, and social media efforts resulting in incremental traffic and revenue to Morningstar.com. He joined Morningstar in May of 2008, after ten years of online marketing and development with American Express and GE. Drew’s current social media focus includes finding ways to make existing and new content more social, as well as discovering ways to increase Morningstar.com traffic and registrations via social projects.
Leslie Banks
Leslie Banks is director of marketing for the Financial Communications Business at Morningstar. Banks is responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy for advisor events, including the Annual Morningstar Investment Conference; advisor media: MorningstarAdvisor.com, Morningstar Advisor magazine; investor events, including the Annual Morningstar Stocks Forum, and Morningstar books for investors. A champion for social media within the organization, Banks has spearheaded the social media strategy for the financial communications business. In 2009, Banks was featured among the 12 financial Twitterers worth following by SmartMoney.com. Link: http://www.smartmoney.com/Investing/Economy/Tweet-This-12-Financial-Pundits-To-Follow-on-Twitter/?page=12
Shannon Paul
Shannon Paul began exploring social media as a university student, when she created a course of independent study dedicated to examining the impact of social media on mass communication. Shannon quickly established herself in the field of public relations as a resource for her colleagues on adapting traditional outreach practices for online communities using social media. Shannon writes articles, participates in several online communities, speaks and blogs at VeryOfficialBlog.com, a blog listed in the Advertising Age Power 150.
Shannon created and implemented the social media strategy for the NHL Detroit Red Wings and continues to work as a social media strategist and community manager for the financial services company, PEAK6 Online, parent company of online brokerage, OptionsHouse.
She was named one of Chris Brogan’s Top 8 Marketing Bloggers to Watch in 2009. She has been a speaker at SXSW Interactive, Blog World Expo, Module Midwest Digital Conference, Podcamp Michigan and several others.
Food Sponsor
Domino's Pizza @Ramon_DeLeon
http://smcchicagofeb.eventbrite.com/
Social Media Club Chicago
Social Media Club [SMC] is a worldwide organization, with local chapters, that serves as connecting organization for anyone interested in social media. Membership is free and open to all levels, including beginners. Chicago’s SMC chapter, launched in October 2008, presents events that mix socializing, networking and learning. Barbara Rozgonyi [@wiredprworks], founder and Jeff Willinger [@jwillie], president, lead the Chicago SMC chapter. Amy Korin [@interactiveamy] coordinates volunteers; Tim McDonald [@tamcdonald] manages communications; and Chris Geier [@chrisgeier] oversees technology. Event attendees include entrepreneurs, corporate communicators, journalists, business professionals, publishers, marketers, media creators, citizen journalists and technology types. For more information, visit http://smcchicago.org, email smcchicagonews@gmail.com, follow @smcchicago on twitter.com or call 630.207.7530.
When
Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (CT)
Where
Morningstar, Inc.
22 W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
_____________________________________________
Deadline for midVentures25 Chicago Startup Applications is February 28th
Subject: Deadline for midVentures25 Chicago Startup Applications is February 28th
Date: 2/22/2010 6:09:52 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: gdomoracki@gmail.com
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com
Subject: Deadline for midVentures25 Chicago Startup Applications is February 28th
Message:
If you're a startup in Chicago or the Midwest, your company should apply to midVentures25 -- Chicago's largest startup demo day and conference.
Our Application deadline for startup companies is February 28, 2010. The event will be held in Chicago's Loop on March 11, 2010, from 5:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m, where we have over 22,000 square feet of demo space at 200 S. Wacker Drive to showcase the Midwest's burgeoning tech community.
Click here to apply online for a table to demo to investors, http://midventures25.com/?page_id=19 meet new partners, and compete for over $7,500 in technology and legal services, computer hardware and free online advertising.
Contact:
Geoff Domoracki, CEO
midVentures Group, Inc.
Phone: 312 613 2735
E-mail: geoff@midventures.com
http://www.midventures.com
Entrepreneurs to showcase 25 investor-ready Midwest technology startups
CHICAGO, IL (February 11, 2010) – The idea is simple. If you assemble 25 of the most promising technology startup companies from around the Midwest in one room, the investors and tech community will come.
Chicago is thriving with innovation as bootstrapping technology entrepreneurs are warming up to the affordability and wealth of startup resources in the region. In an effort to put a spotlight on Midwest technology startups and accelerate this phenomenon, a group of young entrepreneurs have created midVentures25 (http://www.midventures25.com)
.
midVentures25 is a demo day and conference that will showcase 25 of the hottest technology startups for an evening of pitches, ideas, networking and deals. On Thursday, March 11, 2010, the startups will demo their products and services to a room full of over 250 investors, entrepreneurs and the Chicago tech community. Each company selected must fit the following criteria:
1. The startup company must be founded or currently located in the Midwest.
2. The startup company must be no more than three years old.
3. The startup company must possess a high growth potential and be ready for market (i.e., “investor-ready”).
Investors and attendees can expect to see the latest in the fields of mobile applications, internet technology, software, and alternative energy. “The focus of midVentures25 is to show the national technology and investment community that the Midwest has an abundance of early-stage innovators within the technology, consumer, and sustainability space,” said Geoff Domoracki, founder of midVentures, and host of the event.
The Judges
1. Andrew Mason, Groupon
2. Chuck Templeton, OpenTable
3. Jason Heltzer, OCA Ventures
4. Biju Kulathakal, Redbox
5. Adam Siegel, InklingMarkets
6. The Google Execs
The Sponsors
1. Google
2. Illinois Technology Association
3. ChicagoMicro
4. PaskyIP.com
5. GoldCald.com
Entrepreneurs and investors can register for the event at http://midventures25.eventbrite.com.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Location: 200 South Wacker Drive, 12th Floor
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
About the Hosts
midVentures25 was created by Jonathan Pasky, Geoff Domoracki and the midVentures team, and is held with support from Pasky IP, Goldstein, Caldwell, and Associates, and Google Chicago.
About midVentures
midVentures is a Chicago-based technology venture development firm that focuses on incubating new startup concepts for investors and entrepreneurs. Run by a group of 20-something University of Chicago graduates, midVentures’ clients range from venture capital firms to privately wealthy individuals interested in the technology space. midVentures also actively incubates its own web, mobile, software, and microfinance ideas.
About Pasky IP
Pasky IP specializes in providing intellectual property and technology/business legal services to entrepreneurs and emerging, mid-market and institutional clients. Firm expertise includes high technology patent prosecution, startup general counsel services and IP asset management.
About Goldstein, Caldwell & Associates
Goldstein, Caldwell & Associates (GCA) is a Cleveland-based seed capital investment and business development company that helps young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses. Through seed funding, business development expertise, mentoring and a youth-focused culture, GCA helps portfolio companies accelerate the start-up process. For more information on GCA and its portfolio companies visit www.goldcald.com.
--
Geoffrey Domoracki
312-613-2735
http://www.midVentures.com
Head Guy
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Illinois, fretting over paucity of business startups, aims to assist tech entrepreneurs
Subject: Medill Reports: Illinois, fretting over paucity of business startups, aims to
Date: 2/24/2010 5:58:58 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: Northwestern@medill.Northwestern.edu
To: RONALDMAY@AOL.COM
This link has been sent to you by : JR
Illinois, fretting over paucity of business startups, aims to assist tech entrepreneurs
2/19/2010 7:13:21 AM
Out of the 43 Illinois companies that received private equity capital last year, only six were technology startups. Tech entrepreneurs have long struggled to obtain funding at the seed and early stage level, but recent public and private sector efforts may turn this trend around.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=157503
Medill Reports
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu
________________________________________
The Big Ooga - First Tuesday Event for Entrepreneurs
Subject: The Big Ooga - First Tuesday Event for Entrepreneurs
Date: 2/24/2010 10:07:16 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: AveryCohen@Metrist.com
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com
Hi, Ron,
Yes, I've been missing Len Bland's excellent BNC VC panels the past few months to participate in The Big Ooga. The Big Ooga is a networking group for entrepreneurs founded by Lennie Rose, a marketing & PR professional. Lennie is committed to introducing entrepreneurs to one another and is providing educational content at the Big Ooga events. Paul Caswell has provided his "Weave the People" online introductions system to past events and there is an on-line members' directory at http://www.bigooga.com.
The Big Ooga networking events have had a couple of formats - This coming Tuesday will be a "Meet the Experts", where attendees have the opportunity to rotate through several round-table discussions on topics of interest (Internet Marketing, Selling Techniques, Accounting & Finance, etc.). Each table is moderated by a Chicago entrepreneur who can focus on the needs of the entrepreneurial attendees. Other meetings feature a speaker or panel. Last month I was on a panel on "Consensual Marketing", moderated by Eric Benderoff (Bendable Media) and featuring Dante Hamilton (Blogging and WordPress), Leah Jones (Social Media), Shannon Smith (Web and Social Media), and Wally Zambrano (Video).
Lennie is also doing outreach to other entrepreneurial organizations. In April Big Oooga will be hosting the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and The Evanston/North Shore Business Group. Crain's Chicago blogger, author and serial entrepreneur, Barry Moltz will be speaking. This is an incredible opportunity to build the kind of relationships that boost careers.
The next Big Ooga round-table event is First Tuesday, March 2 at the Victor Hotel - for event details and to buy a ticket click here: http://www.bigooga.com/community.html or contact Lennie Rose: Lennie@BigOoga.com or 708-524-4562.
Meanwhile, enjoy the snow and stay in good health!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avery J. Cohen
Principal
Metrist Partners
http://www.metristpartners.com
phone: 312.772.5945 | skype: averycohen
linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/averycohen | twitter: @averycohen
______________________________________________
Briefly noted, by Ron May
* Off the top of my head, here are a few of the attendees at the MIT-EF meeting on the 16th of February. I will have more on the content of the meeting soon.
Bill McDonald, Rachel Patterson, Josh Kuretz, Richard Cross, Chuck Corush, Bob Lepkowski, Collin Canright, Nancy Munro, Paolo Messina, Terry Flanagan, Sheldon Rosenfield, Art Brown, Dave Geraghty, Sheldon Rosenfield, Chris Rollyson, Barb Kremer, Walt Sloan, Lanny Feder, Philippe Lavie, Preston Urka, Ted Wallhaus, Bob Brill, Irv Michaels, Dick Talsky, Peg Conway, Dave Culver?, Roy Klein?, Steve Swibel? and Ron May
And here are the cards I collected at the MIT-EF meeting from my perch on a wheelchair on February 16, 2010.
Christopher J. Schafer
Ungaretti & Harris
312.977.4352
www.uhlaw.com
cjschafer@uhlaw.com
Dr. Andrew F. Skipor, PHD
847.730.9968
nanto2001@yahoo.com
Edward R. Letchinger, M.A.
Business Management and Administration
773.627.4953
ed.letchinger@prodigy.net
Tijana Rajh
Group Leader, Nanobio Interfaces Group
Argonne National Laboratory
www.nano.anl.gov
www.anl.gov
rajh@anl.gov
Dave Geraghty
Partner
CEO
Omega Business Partners
www.omegabusinesspartners.com
dgeraghty@omegabp.com
Brian Briggs
ApexTwo, Inc.
www.apextwo.com
bbriggs@apextwo.com
Walt Sloan
Actor/Mode/Voice
Shirly Hamilton Inc.
312.787.4700
wwsloan@yahoo.com
Walter W. Sloan
Vice President
Operations
JJL Technologies L.L.C.
wwsloan@jjltech.com
Austin Harton, PhD
Chicago State University
773.995.2847
aharton@csu.edu
Sheldon L. Epstein
Chief Engineer & Owner
Epstein Associates
K9APE
www.k9ape.com
shel@k9ape.com
William Kruzel
President
Hallmark Textiles
wkruzel@aol.com
Linda Frothingham
Frothingham Communications
Advertising & Creative Promotion
frothideas@comcast.net
Melanie Angers
630.536.8188
melanie.angers@chicagogsb.edu
David R. Brown
Ungaretti & Harris
www.uhlaw.com
drbrown@uhlaw.com
Barbara Kremer
Astellas Pharma Global R & D
Look, I have so many stories I am overloaded. At the top of the hit parade is:
1. The NeutralTandem and Peerless affair: lawsuits and a price war
2. SitterCity and the i2A fund: Has the intent been deviated from?
3. Appolicious and Eric Benderoff's apparent departure
4. Is Fred Hoch doing his job?: A story concerning Margaret Plett, their former marketing VP, and lost revenue
5. Three reviews of the Monday Morning Meeting and a change of direction plus why Jack Curley did not go
6. ACG gala on the 24th -- sold out at 325!
7. TiE-Midwest on the 24th -- Ron not allowed in at Gibson's -- it was not open to press plus he did not pre-register, but he would not have been admitted anyway. However, they promised to work with me.
8. Dave Armano and Chris Brogan bow out on speaking at event
9. Jason Jacobsohn and affiliate marketing
10. Two camps at Slack Barshinger
11. Administrative people fleeing the sinking ship at ChicagoBooth
12. CIMA circling the wagons??
13. That downtown brokerage firm
14. Two data points on the economy from cabbies
15. Argonne's new PR efforts and the connection to Denny Hastert being gone
16. Much much more....
This will be an entire article with a long "Briefly noted" of course and my hope is to have it to you before noon Friday. I will try to make the Social Media Club tonight.
Collin Canright suggests that we look at this site: http://www.exceleratelabs.com/
___________________________________________
This Friday, February 26th it's Flash Camp Chicago. a full-day of training
and information about Adobe Flex
Subject: [AMC] AMC: [AUG Chicago] Flash Camp is just days away
Date: 2/23/2010 10:21:33 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: harvey@tillis.com
To: announcements@amcomm.org
This Friday, February 26th it's Flash Camp Chicago. a full-day of training
and information about Adobe Flex. Flash Camp is an outstanding opportunity
for experienced Flex developers as well as those just getting started.
With a new version around the corner, expect lots of info on Flex 4, the
soon to be released update to Flex. This is a great opportunity to get
ahead of the curve.
With Flex remaining a top priority for Adobe, news of bringing Flex into the
mobile market, and the continuing demand for quality Flex developers, there
is no better time to ramp up on this technology. For the low price of $20,
taking advantage of this chance to learn and improve your skills is a
no-brainer.
Admission price includes lunch, an end-of-day networking reception, and a
chance to walk away with free books from O'Reilly, Peachpit, and Apress,
plus a license to PowerFlasher FDT.
Receive a 10% discount by using discount code "AUGCHICAGO" at checkout.
Flash Camp Chicago Friday, February 26, 2010 Illinois Technology Association
(200 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor)
For details and to register visit:
http://flashcampchicago2010.eventbrite.com/
<http://www.augchicago.org/MailList/redirect.cfm?ID=488&MID=121&LID=1&EID=89
5>
AUG Chicago, The Chicago Area Adobe Users Group http://www.augchicago.org
--
Harvey S. Tillis
President
The Association for Multimedia Communications, Inc. (AMC)
P. O. Box 10645
Chicago, IL. 60610
773-276-9320 direct
http://www.amcomm.org
_______________________________________________
James Nahikian: Best Companies to Work For
Subject: Best Companies to Work For
Date: 2/23/2010 11:04:30 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: jnahikian@nahikianglobal.com
To: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com
Ron,
The international law firm Perkins Coie, which is based in Seattle yet benefits clients from a significant Chicago presence, has been among the Fortune Best Companies to Work For over the past eight contiguous years. Perkins may not be headquartered in Chicago but, quite obviously, the firm has been doing right by its clients, lawyers and staff in Chicago as well as elsewhere. So it is true that even a law firm in Illinois CAN be a best company to work for provided it has proper direction. 0.02
Regards,
James Nahikian
NAHIKIAN GLOBAL
Intellectual Property & Technology Law Group
D. James Nahikian, MSCS JD
Attorney at Law
Registered to Practice Before the U.S. Patent Office
(312) 399-3099
www.nahikianglobal.com website
TECHNASAURUSLEX.com wordpress blog & twitter
_________________________________________
Sun-Times article by Sandra Guy: Does Motorola need California talent base?
3,000 TO 5,000 JOBS | Chicago area is loaded with tech talent, recruiters say
Subject: Sun Times article
Date: 2/24/2010 8:57:26 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: ed.longanecker@techamerica.org
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
Ron,
This is an important issue. TechAmerica and our members are committed to strengthening our industry in Illinois. We have been working closely with our members, legislators, and the administration for years on many targeted initiatives to create and expand an environment that supports innovation and job growth in our state. I am optimistic about several of the initiatives being driven by the administration, DCEO, and TechAmerica, but much more work needs to be done.
Chicago Sun Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/technology/2066754,CST-NWS-MOTO24.article
Best regards,
Ed Longanecker
Executive Director, Regional Director of State Government Affairs
TechAmerica Midwest
NEW PHONE: 630-282-4332
ed.longanecker@techamerica.org
www.techamerica.org
AeA & ITAA have merged to form TechAmerica
Where the future begins
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.suntimes.com/technology/2066754,CST-NWS-MOTO24.article
Does Motorola need California talent base?
3,000 TO 5,000 JOBS | Chicago area is loaded with tech talent, recruiters say
Comments
February 24, 2010
BY SANDRA GUY sguy@suntimes.com
A report that Motorola Co-CEO Sanjay Jha said the company is considering moving the wireless handset business from Libertyville to California -- a move that would cost 3,000 to 5,000 jobs -- riled local job recruiters and technology boosters.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Jha as saying: "We'll go where the talent is, and right now, that looks like California."
» Click to enlarge image
Employees leave the Motorola facility for the day on Route 45 in Libertyville Tuesday.
(Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times Media
Motorola recently announced it will split into two publicly held businesses, one led by Jha that will combine the mobile-handset unit with the company's TV set-top box division. The remaining operations, led by Co-CEO Greg Brown, comprise the Schaumburg-based company's wireless networking and enterprise radio systems divisions.
Motorola employs 10,000 workers in the Chicago area, including 3,000 to 5,000 at its Libertyville site. Motorola got its start 82 years ago in Schaumburg by pioneering mobile communications, including the first cell phone.
"I personally don't think Motorola tries that hard" to find qualified local talent, said Greg David, president of Chicago recruitment and executive-search firm Gregory Laka & Company.
"I don't think Motorola has the attraction to potential employees that it once did, either," David said. "If Chicago is good enough for Boeing, MillerCoors and other organizations, why isn't it good for Motorola's handset group? Maybe Motorola should look at why it can't attract key talent."
George Manisco, president of A.R.M. Search Inc. in Deerfield, said he cannot believe Motorola can't find extremely talented people in the third-largest city in the country with some of the world's greatest universities.
"We have the talent, the universities and the work ethic," Manisco said. He said Motorola should refocus so it can groom young talent and take advantage of the wisdom of technical people age 50 and older.
Both Manisco and David said they are busier than ever recruiting engineers and other technology workers for other companies in Chicago.
World Business Chicago President Rita Athas said Tuesday that Microsoft, Google and Navteq North America have found a wealth of talented employees here.
"We have more college-educated 24- to 35-year-olds within three miles of our central business district than any other city in the nation," Athas said, noting that small technology companies and financial trading companies that rely heavily on technology are expanding throughout the Chicago area.
Ed Longanecker, executive director of TechAmerica Midwest, a regional tech booster, said the idea that Motorola would move its handset division "could serve as a wake-up call for Illinois to develop a long-term strategy to attract and retain technology talent and jobs."
David, of Gregory Laka & Company, said Motorola could lose "a large portion" of its existing employee base because many workers may choose to stay here.
"The existing employees know the product line. [If they refuse to move], that would have massive implications" for Motorola's long-term future, he said.
Others say that Motorola has less need for high-level engineers and software designers because it now relies on Google's Android operating system for its smart-phone business, rather than creating its own systems from scratch.
Motorola emphasized that it will retain a presence here.
"Even following completion of the separation, Motorola will continue to have a substantial presence in the greater Chicago area," a Motorola spokeswoman said, and the company "has not announced any plans to move our headquarters."
Motorola competitors Apple, Palm and Google are all based in northern California's Silicon Valley, while Finnish cell phone maker Nokia has a handset engineering development lab in San Diego.
Jha, before coming to Motorola's Schaumburg headquarters as Co-CEO, worked as a senior executive at Qualcomm in San Diego, Calif.
Contributing: Lake County News-Sun
_______________________________________________
Trib article by Wailin Wong: Making Chicago a high-tech hub? There's no app for that, as they might say in an iPhone commercial
Subject: Would Motorola departure burst Chicago's tech bubble?
Date: 2/24/2010 6:41:08 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: private@private.com
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
This story was sent to you by: Jim
--------------------
Would Motorola departure burst Chicago's tech bubble?
--------------------
City's blossoming tech scene would be stifled if the mobile phone business heads to Silicon Valley as its CEO has hinted
By Wailin Wong, Tribune reporter
February 23 2010, 10:15 PM CST
Making Chicago a high-tech hub? There's no app for that, as they might say in an iPhone commercial.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0224-motorola-california-20100223,0,5853421.story
Visit chicagotribune.com at http://www.chicagotribune.com
___________________________________________
Richard Johnson: Need your help to spread the word
From: Richard Johnson rnjohnson@niu.edu
Subject: Re: The May Report: Need your help to spread the word
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:28:12 -0600
To: ron@themayreport.com
Ron, I am working with a group on the west coast that is working to pair Midwest businesses involved with the commercialization of space with venture capitalists. They are going to come to Chicago in late May to host a venture capital forum to help do this (information given below). In the past they have organized these in California and in Boston. This is something new for them in the Midwest.
Given the recent announcement that NASA will rely more on commercial companies to explore and create space applications, the timing seems very appropriate. I would like to bring this to the attention of your readers as a public service. Northern Illinois University does not directly benefit in any way, we just want to help our region grow jobs.
Dick Johnson
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Greetings,
I am pleased to let you know about a unique networking opportunity coming to Chicago at the end of May. I am working directly with the Space Investment Summit (SIS) to encourage participation among investors and entrepreneurs in our area. The SIS is a reputable coalition representing space industry executives, entrepreneurs and key market-related investors who gather to develop new opportunities in commercial space. The next Summit, SIS-8 will continue a well established series of forums offering a full day of exclusive dialogue sessions with prominent investment leaders and an entrepreneurial showcase of pre-qualified space-related business plans. The summit series helps investors gain knowledge that might guide future investment decisions and assists entrepreneurs by increasing investor interest in their efforts and developing new partnership opportunities.
Space Investment Summit 8
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
InterContinental Chicago O?Hare Hotel, Chicago
The SIS8 Program will feature:
· Business plan presentations ? commercial space opportunities and new ventures
· Featured speaker and panel presentations ? space enabled market and public-private partnerships (including clean tech and bio tech)
· Networking opportunities - investors and entrepreneurs
· Interaction with key industry - executives and representatives in commercial space and investment opportunities
Here is how you can participate:
· Investors ? accredited investors are invited to attend free of charge
· Entrepreneurs ? Submit a business plan application to be considered for presentation at the Summit (call for Applications is open now to April 16, 2010 - http://www.formspring.com/forms/?880064-mhiLyyvqNR)
· Sponsors ? Inquire about value-added promotional opportunities to support the Summit and benefit from connecting with both investors and entrepreneurs
____________________________________
John Zurawski: Petition to Congress on e-Banking Security
From: John Zurawski john.zurawski@authentify.com
Subject: Petition to Congress on e-Banking Security
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:06:51 -0600
To: ron@themayreport.com
Hello Mr. May,
Is a bank's security "commercially reasonable" if it can be thwarted by malware? Authentify will ask 10,000 security professionals to get politically active and voice their opinion in a petition to Congress at the RSA Conference next week. This could be something your readers are interested in?
Authentify to Offer RSA Conference Attendees the Opportunity to Petition Congress on Policy Questions Raised by PlainsCapital Bank vs. Hillary Machinery.
Can a system readily susceptible to malware be declared "commercially reasonable"?
February 22, 2010 – Chicago, Illinois In November 2009 when executives of Texas-based Hillary Machinery Company discovered $800,000 missing from their online bank account they went looking for answers. What happened next is surprising. Their bank, Lubbock, Texas based PlainsCapital Bank was able to recover some $571,000 of the missing funds, but when Hillary pressed them to make good on the missing $229,000, PlainsCapital Bank filed a pre-emptive lawsuit asking the court to declare the bank's security measures ?commercially reasonable? and shield them from further recovery efforts by Hillary. The case has yet to be decided but could have serious ramifications for banks, businesses and the information security industry.
At next week's 2010 RSA Security Conference, Authentify, Inc. will be asking our nation's top security professionals to get politically active to protect America's small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from financial ruin at the hands of foreign cyber-criminals. According to an Intelligence Note published November 3, 2009 by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cyber-thieves have been attacking the bank accounts of SMBs like Hillary Machinery at an accelerated rate in the past 12 months. Authentify believes this issue is of special concern to our country's security elite. Authentify will ask all RSA 2010 attendees who believe it is not "commercially reasonable" for banks to allow money entrusted to their care to be stolen, to stand up for their beliefs by coming to Booth #732 on the exhibit floor and signing our petition to the Congress. The goal is to force the financial services industry to get serious about their authentication and fraud control procedures or make good on customer losses when those procedures fail.
In response to the proliferation of more-sophisticated malware tools such as Zbot, clampi, and ZeuS, the FFIEC, FDIC, FRB, FTC, FBI, FSLIC, SPIC issued special alerts to financial institutions including FDIC FIL-66-2005 titled ?Guidance on Mitigating Risk from Spyware.? This document included the following instruction: ?Investigate the implementation of multi-factor authentication methods, which would limit the ability of identity thieves to compromise customer accounts, even when a thief has a customer's ID, password and account numbers.?
"It's an admonition that many banks seem to have ignored," said Jim Woodhill, Authentify's founder and chairman. Right now, no organization that banks online is safe. The time for ?investigating? how to protect your customers is over. RSA Conference attendees might not realize that our lawmakers have little awareness of the extent of these attacks, much less that there are lawsuits active in federal courts from coast to coast against banks that have failed to protect or reimburse their clients. Authentify believes it's time for "We The People" of America's security community to make our voice heard. We ask all RSA 2010 attendees to join us by visiting Booth #732 on the Expo floor and signing our petition to demand action.?
Authentify's petition reads:
"We, the undersigned, demand that all banks who want the cost savings that accrue to them from having commercial organizations transact over the Internet bear all the fraud costs associated with online access. Federal Reserve Regulation E protections must be extended to cover to all commercial accounts that are accessible online."
This petition will be used to urge Congress to write into law what the esteemed Bruce Schneier has previously suggested in his September 23, 2009, Schneier on Security blog post, Eliminating Externalities in Financial Security.
Authentify will hand-deliver the signed and e-signed petitions to the offices of the chairmen and ranking members of the relevant committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Subsets of signatures by state and congressional district will also be complied and delivered to the corresponding senators and representatives for those states and districts.
For those who would like to back up their petition signature with a personal message to the Congress, Authentify will also have sample letters to their congressperson on this issue available in its booth or its web site, along with links to learn to whom in the House and Senate such personal communication should be addressed. Readers can sign an online version of our petition beginning March 1st at www.authentify.com
?????
About PlainsCapital vs. Hillary Machinery
The federal court action of PlainsCapital Bank vs. Hillary Machinery has been widely reported in the trade press. More information can be found on PlainsCapital Bank?s complaint, and Hillary Machinery?s answer and counterclaim at:
http://www.hillaryinc.com/news.htm#alert
About Authentify, Inc.
Authentify, Inc. is the leading provider of telephone-based, out-of-band authentication services. These services enable organizations that need strong security to quickly and cost-effectively add 2-factor or 3-factor authentication layers to user logon, transaction verifications or critical changes such as adding a payee to an e-pay or wire account.
Authentify markets primarily to financial services firms that need to protect their clients? online accounts, corporate security professionals managing corporate access control, and e-merchants who want to limit fraud on their sites. Visit Authentify at RSA in Booth #732, at www.authentify.com or call: 773-243-0300 for more information.
About Jim Woodhill James R. ("Jim") Woodhill is founder and chairman of Authentify, Inc., and is listed as the inventor on all of Authentify's patents. Jim has worked in "enterprise" computing for over 40 years, first for customer organizations, then for software vendor companies, and now as a venture investor.
He sits on the board of Chicago-based Authentify, Inc. and also serves on the Advisory board of San Francisco-based Resilient Networks, Inc. Jim holds private equity positions in Secorix, RiskWatch, Datacert, Inc., and Courion Corporation. Jim was the first professional investor in AnswerLogic (purchased by Primus Knowledge Solutions) and in Securant Technologies, Inc. (purchased by RSA Security). He was on the board of Colorado Springs-based Configuresoft, Inc. from its founding to its acquisition by EMC Corporation in May of 2009.
For More information Contact:
Todd Pauli Amanda Gross
Press Relations, Authentify, Inc. Government Relations, Authentify, Inc.
773-243-0324 202-570-8788
todd.pauli@authentify.com amanda.gross@authentify.com
__________________________________________
Josh Singer: May Day
From: Josh Singer josh@web312.com
Subject: MayDay
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:42:07 -0600
To: The May Report <ron@themayreport.com>
I've been trying to get a hold of you. I have your home number and cell. You never answer any.
What's up? Josh
_____________________________________
Jonathan Hayward: Looking for web developer position
From: Jonathan Hayward christos.jonathan.hayward@gmail.com
Subject: Looking for web developer position
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:41:52 -0600
To: ron@themayreport.com
About me: I am interested in the human side of making websites that are friendly and a joy to use. I have a math and computer master's from UIUC, am a National Merit Scholar, and ranked 7th in a nationwide math contest. I am the author of seven books with an eighth underway, and have served as the technical reviewer for one title, and have been approached by a publisher to be the lead author for another technical work. I also have experience as the creator of a Google PageRank 5 authority site that has won over 200 awards. I bring almost all of this background to bear in my work on the web, dealing with technical needs and then going beyond that to give people skills to the websites I've worked on. A partial list of skills I've worked with over the past ten years include Ajax, CGI, CMS, CSS, HTML, IA, JSON, JavaScript, LAMP, Linux, Perl, PHP, Python, RIA, SOAP, SQL, UI, Unix, Usability, UX, XHTML, and XML.
What I'm looking for: I'm looking for a web development position that would involve initiative and significant responsibility in making websites that are correct technically, and go beyond this to make them a joy to use. I do my best work when I can wear several hats, and I am interested in the kind of shop that uses the so-called "productive" languages (such as Python, Perl, PHP, or RoR) and values open source, but more than this, I am interested in development that is intended to put the user at the center of the process. Some of my favorite challenges have been when I was working on UI: in one case, to provide a powerful yet simple access to mounds of data so that a revenue assurance auditor could zero on on the needle in a haystack that he needed to find and address. I've also enjoyed mentoring junior staff when I've had that opportunity.
How to contact me: You can call me at (630) 815-2012 (daytime preferred), or email me at jonathan.hayward@pobox.com, or visit my LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhayward
--
? Jonathan Hayward, a Senior Web Developer who cares deeply about usability
? www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhayward ? jonathan.hayward@pobox.com
? Ajax, CGI, CMS, CSS, HTML, IA, JSON, JavaScript, LAMP, Linux, Perl, PHP, Python, RIA, SQL, UI, Unix, Usability, UX, XHTML, XML
? With a good interest in the human side of computing and making software and websites a joy to use
__________________________________________
Two events on the 24th you may have missed: JobNob Chicago Happy Hour and Knapp Lecture - Ted Wallhaus (Part 2 of Sales Series)
http://knappcenter.iit.edu/calendar/
Jobnob Chicago Happy Hour
WhenWed, February 24, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
WhereJohn Barleycorn Wrigleyville 3524 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657 (map)
Description http://www.jobnob.com/user/signup/happy-hour/2793 Come "Jobnob" with cool new start ups and talented job seekers at this informal networking happy hour where you can find startup jobs. Be flexible on commitment and compensation- bootstrapped startups may be offering *alternative compensation: reduced rates, equity, internships, part time, etc. Get in on the ground floor with these great startups and meet cool tech companies!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://knappcenter.iit.edu/calendar/
Knapp Lecture - Ted Wallhaus (Part 2 of Sales Series)
WhenWed, February 24, 6pm – 8pm
WhereTechnology Business Center Atrium University Technology Park at IIT 3440 South Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60616 (map)
Descriptionhttp://knappfeb.eventbrite.com/ "Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers" – Voltaire Chances are you’ve encountered a salesperson that just didn’t make you feel comfortable. Perhaps they were too eager to share all of their knowledge and expertise. Perhaps they didn’t listen to what you really needed or wanted. Maybe you felt like they didn’t care about you. And the worst case scenario, you just didn’t feel like they were trustworthy. Selling isn’t about enthusiastically presenting every feature and benefit of your product or service. Selling is about building trust, uncovering a prospect’s real needs and understanding how you can help. There’s an old saying “seek first to understand before being understood”, good advice and certainly achievable if we ask the right questions. In this program we’ll take a look at one of the most critical and important parts of any sales process, questioning: How can proper questioning give us more control of the sales process? How can we use questioning to uncover a prospect’s true motivations? How can questioning be used to teach prospects? We will explore questioning tactics: good/bad, addressing objections/stalls, developing trust/rapport and more. This will be an interactive session that promises something new for all.
_______________________________________________
Chicago Community 'Ventures: City Treasurer's Business Plan Competition - Free Workshops!
From: Chicago Community Ventures sharrop@chiventures.org
Sender: Chicago Community Ventures manjima@chiventures.ccsend.com
Subject: City Treasuer's Business Plan Competition - Free Workshops!
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:30:24 -0500 (EST)
To: ron@themayreport.com
City Treasurer's B Plan
Need Help Starting Your Business Plan?
Come to One of Our Workshops!
Getting started on a business plan can be a daunting task. Without past experience in writing business plans, the process might seem impossible to manage. That's why, as a part of the Business Plan Competition, The Chicago City Treasurer's Office and Chicago Community Ventures provide free workshops to competition entrants. At the workshops, entrants will receive insight, advice and guidance as they prepare their business plans for submission.
Each workshop will be led by professionals who have extensive experience in writing business plans. Entrants can expect to leave the workshop with the tools necessary to make an extraordinary business plan.
Be sure to put one of the following workshop dates on your calendar:
* Wed. March 3, 6 - 8 pm: Business Planning Workshop
Chicago Community Ventures
105 W Adams St, Suite 2300
Class taught by: Tom Cassell, Small Business Development Director at CCV
* Wed. March 10, 6 - 8 pm: Business Planning Workshop
Chatham Business Association
8441 S. Cottage Grove - Northern Trust Community Room
Class taught by: Center for Urban Business/IL SBDC at UIC
* Wed. March 17, 6 - 8 pm: Business Planning Workshop
Chicago Community Ventures
105 W Adams St, Suite 2300
Class taught by: Tom Cassell, Small Business Development Director at CCV
* Wed. March 24, 6 - 8 pm: Business Planning Workshop
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
300 N. Central Park - Jensen Room
Class taught by: Center for Urban Business/IL SBDC at UIC
Each workshop will cover the same material, so it is only necessary to attend one. We hope to see you at one of the workshops!
For more information or with questions call Hussain Bhanpuri at Chicago Community Ventures at 312.960.0324 or e-mail at hbhanpuri@chiventures.org
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Viewpoints Update - February 2010
Subject: Viewpoints Update - February 2010
Date: 2/23/2010 10:04:05 P.M. Central Standard Time
From: matt@viewpoints.com
Reply To:
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
Dear Ronald,
It has been about 10 weeks since our last update and we have several recent developments to report.
In recognition of our growth in 2009 we have now officially organized Viewpoints into two business units to ensure that we capitalize on two major growth opportunities. Those two businesses are: Viewpoints.com, now the second largest and fastest growing product focused user reviews site on the web, and The Viewpoints Technology Platform our newer private label hosted technology platform for helping leading retailers, brands and media companies use Social Commerce to drive bottom line results.
To highlight the power of our new offering we have launched a new corporate site at http://www.viewpointsnetwork.com. Please check it out and let us know what you think.
Traffic: I am also pleased to report that overall traffic continues to grow at blistering pace. In our last update we reported we hit 2.8 million users in October. Since then we grew again and reached 3.6 million visits!
Hiring: We have also continued to hire more great people to join the Viewpoints team. We have hired 17 people since our last update and have another 10 open positions . We are now over 50 employees and on our way to 75+ this year. If you know of any A+ players looking to join a fast growing social technology and media company, please have them contact me.
Product: In early February we launched a blogs and custom content publishing module for The Viewpoints Technology Platform. This new module allows our clients to create custom content in a variety of formats (blogs, buying guides, how to articles etc) that leverage our Social Profiles and Social Loyalty Engine. For a great early example of the potential of this module, check out The Goods , our shopping advice blog on Viewpoints. As a very specific example of the power of the integrated nature of our platform, check out this article about Skechers Shape Ups and see quickly this content is engaging our community.
Advertising Opportunities: As a great example of the power of our Social Influencer Program take a look at the 1,983 reviews of the Bounce Dryer Bar. If you are looking to get some buzz going for a product or service, we have several opportunities for you. Take a look at the latest Monday Funday Giveaway promotion we are running where we are providing free samples of Kathy Ireland Deluxe Body Lotion.
Press: In addition to a nice mention in the Wall Street Journal, Viewpoints has been recognized in a slew of news articles. Viewpoints was also chosen by AlwaysOn as one of the OnMedia Top 100 Winners . Inclusion in the OnMedia 100 signifies leadership amongst its peers and game-changing approaches and technologies that are likely to disrupt existing markets and entrenched players. Viewpoints Network was specially selected by the AlwaysOn editorial team and industry experts spanning the globe based on a set of five criteria: innovation, market potential, commercialization, stakeholder value, and media buzz.
Partnerships: We also announced a partnership with ForeSee Results focused on helping our client's better measure customer satisfaction.
And of course what would an update be without a few recommendations and reviews!
Lenovo ThinkPad T500 - just got it and like it so far. Windows 7 is a big improvement and the battery life with the 9 cell is 4.5 hours.
The Four Seasons in Costa Rica and The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua - both amazing hotels in beautiful locations
The Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri - I don't read much fiction but this one just pulled me in. Beautifully written.
So, as always, if you know of any brands or retailers who are looking to a) reach in-market shoppers or b) build their own Social Commerce communities, please have them give me a call. And, if you have recently used a product that you loved or loathed, be sure to write a review!
Matt Moog
Founder/CEO
Viewpoints Network
312-447-6111
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InvestMidwest Panel Selects a Record 45 Firms to Present at Premier Venture Capital Forum in March
From: "Pamela Powell" <Pam@hausergrouppr.com>
Subject: InvestMidwest Panel Selects a Record 45 Firms to Present at Premier Venture Capital Forum in March
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:18:08 -0600
To: "Pamela Powell" <pam@hausergrouppr.com>
The InvestMidwest Panel has selected a record 45 start-up firms to present at its annual venture capital forum, being held March 24 and 25 in St. Louis. The following and attached release includes additional details. If you are interested in attending the forum, InvestMidwest would be happy to have you as their guest. I just ask that you let Julie Hauser or me know by Friday, March 19 if you are planning on attending so we can get the appropriate media materials to you. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
Thanks so much!
Pamela Powell
The Hauser Group, Inc.
515 Olive Street, Suite 1204
St. Louis, MO 63101
(office) 314-436-9090
(fax) 314-436-9212
pam@hausergrouppr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julie Hauser or Pamela Powell, 314-436-9090, julie@hausergrouppr.com
INVESTMIDWEST PANEL SELECTS A RECORD 45 FIRMS TO
PRESENT AT PREMIER VENTURE CAPITAL FORUM IN MARCH
St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 24, 2010…Forty-five entrepreneurial growth companies from 13 states are busy preparing for a unique opportunity to present their business plans to an audience of the nation’s top venture capitalists, corporate and private investors, and investment bankers at the 11th Annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum. Set for March 24-25 at the Wells Fargo Advisors University Learning Center in St. Louis, Mo., the event will be the largest InvestMidwest forum to date. The applicants were reviewed by a panel of experts, and the companies were selected based on their value proposition, products/services, financial summaries, management teams and marketing strategies and opportunities.
This year’s selected presenters include companies from Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin.
“We are very pleased with the response we received for the 2010 forum,” said Chris Walsh, executive director of InvestMidwest. “We received a significant number of diverse applications from companies across the country, and we’re excited for the 45 presenters we’ve chosen to make their official pitches. Based on what we’ve seen from them so far, investors in attendance will be exposed to some exceptional investment opportunities.”
This year, InvestMidwest will once again feature three separate industry tracks of companies presenting concurrently: a life sciences track, a technology track and an alternative energy/clean technology track. The early registration deadline for investors who want to attend the forum is Friday, March 5. Details regarding the registration process and fees are available at www.investmidwestforum.com.
Since its first forum in St. Louis in May 2000, InvestMidwest has helped generate more than $400 million in equity investments for many innovative entrepreneurial growth companies. Considered by many as the Midwest’s premier annual venture capital forum, InvestMidwest’s mission is to provide access to equity capital for emerging, privately held companies seeking venture funds from $1 million to $20 million.
Each of the companies selected to present at this year’s forum show potential to generate $20 million in annual revenue growth within five years. These firms represent a broad range of industries and are developing products and services that address many of the global issues making recent headlines. The alternative energy/clean technology track will showcase presenters whose ultimate goal is to enhance energy efficiency, whether it be by developing ways to expand wind power or by utilizing technology that converts waste into renewable energy, electricity or biofuels. Presenters in the technology track include companies that deal with cloud management, production of aluminum nitride crystals and software that addresses the efficiency of first-responders, as well as an online search engine connecting buyers and suppliers in the chemical industry. The life sciences track will feature several innovative medical device firms and will also include biopharmaceutical companies focused on enhanced diagnostics and the development of drugs that could potentially treat and cure human diseases and disorders.
As an additional highlight, the 2010 forum will feature presentations by two renowned speakers. Murray Weidenbaum, who currently holds the Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professorship at Washington University in St. Louis and also serves as honorary chairman of the University's Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy, will serve as the breakfast speaker. Recognized for helping to formulate the economic policy of the Reagan Administration, Weidenbaum was a key spokesman for the Administration on economic and financial issues during his time as President Reagan's first chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He will share his insight and experience at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 25. David W. Checketts, founder and Chairman of SCP Worldwide and principal owner and chairman of the St. Louis Blues NHL team, is serving as the luncheon speaker. He will share his experience as one of the most heralded sports, media and entertainment executives at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.
The 11th annual InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum is supported by a diverse group of public and corporate sponsors. Organizational sponsors include the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), Missouri Venture Forum, Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC), KCSourceLink and The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, visit www.investmidwestforum.com or call 314.444.1151.
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