The Savvy Entrepreneurs Seminar Series provides early and mid-stage technology entrepreneurs with opportunities to learn from a panel of experts including successful entrepreneurs within a small group format. While most entrepreneurship-related events focus on securing capital, incorporating and other early stage issues, this program will expand on those as well as explore best practices in the arenas of intellectual property, team building, initial sales and other day to day business challenges.
The series includes six sessions from September 2010 to May 2011.
Past founders and executives have said this was one of the best educational and practical sessions they have ever attended to answer their most important questions to support business success.
The GLEQ, MITEF, and many Great Lakes technology entrepreneur support teams look forward to support your success.
CLICK ON EVENTS TO SEE SPECIFIC DATES AND LOCATIONS
Session #1 of 6 Part Series
Sales: Selling is awfully hard, but everyone has to do it. The anatomy of the first sale, how to position your service/product amongst the competition, how to structure the deal and the hidden risk of the ?trial program.?
Get More Information and Register at:
http://www.mitgreatlakes.org or http://www.gleq.org
Sales September 14
The vehicle industry has had a long development process for new innovations often implemented in accelerated manner only through pressure from regulatory agencies.
It currently is under tremendous pressure from a fuel economy and emissions standpoint, combined with major changes in product mix and external economic pressures on financing (both for customers and for companies).
At the same time, new inventors and innovative young companies are having a difficult time getting the attention of the Tier 1 and OE engineering community in order to communicate the value of their products and services.
The first Annual Automotive Innovator Competition was a huge success with 10 Applicants. This second year applicants included great innovations, which were screened with the best presenting on December 7th to help the Automotive industry not only survive, but THRIVE!
Please check these web sites out for more information.
2009 Finalists:
Finalists include:
ACP Process - A holistic product design development method based on CAE, which provides the optimal design solution to significantly reduce cost and time to market. http://www.eta.com/
Advanced Tire Pressure Systems - A technology that utilizes magnetic 'principals' "digitally" instead of batteries and RF signals mounted in the tires to measure tire pressure. http://sites.google.com/site/atpscorporation/
iQ-Wheel ? Patented Driver, Vehicle, and Personal Communication Device Interface that reduces distractions, more intuitive, and is personalized driver-centric. http://www.iq-telematics.com
Clean Energy Innovations - A proprietary process for the enhancement of the rechargeable batteries, that leads to a very substantial increase in the amount of energy that can be extracted from any given battery.
TouchSensor? - A patented, solid-state, software free, all digital switch that is revolutionizing both the vehicle's interior designs and HMI capabilities. http://www.touchsensor.com
Come hear the excellent value propositions of the finalists as they present to a panel of OEM and supplier judges from Chrysler, General Motors Company, Kostal, and TARDEC's NAC.
Awards will be commercialization consulting time with AutoTech and Technology Highway, including an opportunity to present to several target customers.
The Social Hour will begin at 5:15 p.m.,
followed by the Presentations / Q&A from 6:15 - 8:00 p.m.
Additional networking will immediately follow the presentations from 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The cost to attend is $20 for SAE and MITEF members, $35 for non-members and $15 for student members.
Our corporate sponsors are Innovate!, one of last year?s winners, and OESA/MEMA. www.inovate-tech.com and www.oesa.org
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
No refunds will be issued after November 30.
2008 Alumni Finalists:
First Place
Innovate! Technology, Inc.
http://www.innovate-tech.com/
Second Place
Lambert Technologies, LLC
http://www.lambertech.com/
Runner Up
OPS Solutions, LLC
http://www.ops-solutions.com/
Runner Up
RF-IDI, LLC
http://www.activerfidtracking.com/RFIDI
SAE and MIT EF want to thank the terrific applicanct innovators and the great volunteers to help launch this first professionally screened and coached innovator program to help the Automotive Industry. We encourage rapid collaboration and success for each for all participants.
We really appreciate S3C, a Nagano Group Company, and AutoTech, a KenMar Company, OESA, and Technology Highway for their great support and sponsorship of the 2009 event. Send any updates to mitefgl@gmail.com.
Event Invitation
MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes shares the best programs with leading world class education on best practices on innovation commercialization acceleration and improving returns on high growth technology investment while reducing risks.
Meet great contacts to support your innovation and business plan success. Get the latest information by subscribing to the MIT EF mailing list.
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/efgreatlakes
Have an article or story about what is working for your technology company, then please email to:
mitefgl@gmail.com
We are starting up a three times per year newsletter to share entrepreneurial successes in the Michigan, NW Ohio, and W Ontario great lakes technology region.
Plan ahead for this annual extravaganza of entrepreneurship, hosted in conjunction with the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest (GLEQ) and the New Enterprise Forum and many other outstanding high tech, high growth entrepreneurial support organizations!
If you are thinking about starting up, in start up phase or in early growth stage, then this event is to support you and celebrate the high growth our Great Lakes region is seeing in this area. Successful entrepreneurs in the area are encouraged to attend, network and share your experiences. There is always plenty of future partnering opportunities found at this event.
The Place:
Skyline High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
** NOTE - NEW LOCATION DUE TO GROWTH
The Time:
4:00 to 9:00 P.M.
Refreshments will be served.
The Evening:
A Showcase Presentation by James Herbert, Ph.D ý CEO of Neogen Corporation
Attend workshops led by area CEOs and entrepreneurs:
- "Innovation in the Great Lakes Region"
- "Alternative/Non-Dilutive Financing"
- "Equity Financing"
It's back .... the elevator pitch competition! Six area entrepreneurs have a full two minutes for a pressure packed presentation to a panel of investors and business leaders. See who rises to the occasion!
ACE 10 will include the presentation of the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest Phase I Awards for the GLEQ Business Plan Competition.
ACE 10 will feature an intercollegiate pitch competition, in which competitors from Univeristy of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and other schools will go head-to-head with three-minute elevator pitches.
Visit displays of emerging local companies
Cost: $10 for pre-registered attendees or $20 at the door.
Register at: http://www.ace-event.org
Lead Marketing and PR Sponsor:
Avalon LLC
Partner Organizations:
New Enterprise Forum
MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes
Ann Arbor SPARK
Automation Alley
Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
Regional Growth Partnership and Rocket Ventures of Toledo
University of Michigan College of Engineering
University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Michigan Technology Transfer
Over $1 Trillion Annual Sales By MIT Entrepreneurial Eco-System
Kauffman and MIT team up to research the economic impact of MIT entrepreneurial eco-system.
New innovations, new wealth creation and new approaches to help society are part of the MIT DNA.
The MIT Enterprise Forum is happy to share this executive summary of the research. Include an interesting story about A123 Batteries, the new parent company of the local successful startup TJ Technologies.
Let us know your thoughts on how we can continue to help improve our regional entrepreneurial eco-system in Michigan, SW Ontario and Northern Ohio at mitefgl@gmail.com
MIT Entrepreneurial EcoSystem Impact Summary
Entrepreneurship. Investment. Education. Networking.
The MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes (MITEF Great Lakes) is one of the 24 worldwide chapters of the Cambridge, Massachusetts based MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc. For over 20 years, this global volunteer organization has linked entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors by means of networking through specialized educational program events and guidance on a variety of high growth and technology business concerns, such as business plan development, funding, and management.
Since 1998, MITEF Great Lakes has offered educational and collaborative business forums to build stronger ties between the entrepreneurial, investment, and business incubator communities in the Great Lakes region. This area is fast becoming the launch site of exciting new technologies - Life Sciences, Manufacturing Automation, IT/Software/Internet and Emerging Technologies.
Partnering with its broad network of local universities, including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Oakland University, and Lawrence Technological University, businesses and technical associations, MITEF Great Lakes is a major resource for start-up businesses.
Events are open to the general public and your participation as a member and/or volunteer is welcomed.
If you're a golfer -- you'll want to arrive early at the GLEQ Awards Event and enjoy an afternoon of golf with investors and entrepreneurs for just $65 (includes golf and the awards program). Michigan Venture Capital Association, Great Lakes Angels and the MIT Enterprise Forum have joined with GLEQ to make this Michigan's most valued investor/entrepreneur golf scramble. Great opportunity to network and find helpful resources for your initiative! We moved venue to Lansing to increase participation and entrepreneurial success across the region with very positive feedback for this annual program.
Whether you golf or not, plan to arrive by 3:30 p.m. for the MIT EF presentation and panel discussion, Business Incubators: Graduating Successful Ventures. A welcome reception will follow at 4:30 and the GLEQ Awards Program will begin at 5:30 p.m.
GLEQ Entrepreneur Golf Outing
If you are interested in golfing we'll be starting at 10 a.m. You will enjoy a fun and challenging afternoon with fellow entrepreneurs, GLEQ coaches, and members of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, Angel Investors and MIT Enterprise Forum, at the award-winning Forest Akers Golf Course on the MSU campus.
We will be playing on the West Course, which has a Golf Digest four-star rating and The Detroit News ranks as number six in the state for public courses.
The fun begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the driving range open until the scramble begins. The event includes 18 holes, bag attendant, golf cart, box lunch, beverages and cash bar. It is a four-person scramble with individual golfers welcome.
GLEQ business plan competition coaches can golf for just $65 per person -- and that includes the awards reception and program.
For more information or to let me know you're interested -- e-mail Diane Durance at diane@gleq.org. Registration is available on the website at www.gleq.org .
GLEQ Awards Event
Whether you decide to golf or not you will not want to miss the GLEQ Awards Event.
Join us for an eventful evening of presentations, discussions, elevator pitches and award announcements. Begin your evening with the MIT Enterprise Forum presentations at 3:30 p.m to share recent successes of CEOs at technology startups. Enjoy networking at the GLEQ/MITEF reception at 4:30 PM of the MSU University Club. The event will feature the presentation of the $100,000 SmartZone Award, MEDC Bio Awards up to $40,000, Automation Alley Innovation Award for Advanced Manufacturing, and awards up to $25,000 in the Emerging Company category and up to $5,000 in the New Business Idea category.
To make it possible for the competitors in the business plan competition to enjoy the awards dinner at no cost, we're asking everyone else to pay $35 to cover the cost of their dinner. You can register for the dinner at www.gleq.org .
Awards Event Agenda
9 a.m. Golf registration and warm up
10 a.m. Shot gun golf scramble start
1-2:30 p.m. Boost Mid-Michigan pitch presentations
3 - 5 p.m. Arrival and check in
3-4:30 p.m. Emerging Company and SmartZone Award pitch practice session
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Recent technology CEO startup success story sharing and panel discussion
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Welcome Reception with walking buffet and refreshments
5:30 to 8 p.m. GLEQ Finalist Awards and Remarks
Reminder to register online if you are joining for the day or evening program at www.gleq.org .
Thanks again for your participation in GLEQ and MIT Enterprise Forum. This years business plan competition grew to over 300 teams statewide with your on going support (from 150 team in 2009). Please share any thoughts on further improving this awesome annual entrepreneurial event. There are some great business plans this year! We look forward to seeing you on June 9, 2010.
Passionate Active Sponsors
The MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes would like to thank its active corporate sponsors for their generous support. Our sponsors are passionate about our regional entrepreneurial eco-system and very talented resources.
Interested in being a sponsor, please contact us at:
mitefgl@gmail.com
Great opportunity to share best practices and connect with the best entrepreneurs in the region.
Chapter Newsletter
Read the latest issue of CURRENT - the newsletter of the Great Lakes Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum featuring articles and reports relevent to entrepreneurs, links to area resources, and local high-tech entrepreneurial success stories.
August 2009
Our Valued Previous Sponsors
The MIT Enterprise Forum of the Great Lakes would like to thank its past corporate sponsors for their generous support.
Learn Capital Fundraising Plan Best Practices Sharing from Expert Panel and Case Study Discussion - Feb 9 via Web Conference or Onsite Location
For most startups and early stage technology companies, raising investment capital is the first and most daunting task. Lack of adequate capitalization puts a great deal of strain on what is already the difficult task of launching a new product or service into the marketplace and building an operational business. Particularly in bootstrapped start-ups, diversion of management resources to fundraising tasks usually lengthen time to market, which feeds back into a need for even more capital to support the launch. In the process of increasing the investor ask, valuation and terms become more difficult, and investor skepticism about the business can become a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Of course, certain aspects of the capital raising process are inescapable. There is no substitute for the startup business to working very hard in presenting to investors, meetings, follow-ups, and mental (and business) management of rejection and delays in the investors decision making and the due diligence process.
Let us suggest, though, that much heartache can be reduced, and the entire process including these time-consuming parts, can be streamlined and accelerated by developing and following a Capital Fundraising Plan (CFP).
Don Baker, with Safford and Baker, PLLC, Legal Advisors to Technology Businesses will lead a panel discussion on this topic. All participants can get a full copy of Don Baker's article on these best CFP best practices.
Go to Events Tab for learning more and registration information.
Capital Fundraising Plan
