Keynote: Entrepreneurship on Long Island and Why It Is So Important, Leo Guthart, Senior Adviser, Topspin Partners: Philosophy and regional impact of
technology entrepreneurship, viewed by a legendary investor.
Protecting the Startup Against Founder Departures, Alon Kapen, Partner, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital, Farrell Fritz: Starting
off on the right foot with partners/co-founders can avoid later misunderstandings
and increase your chances of success. Alon Kapen discusses the value of company formation
agreements and pitfalls to avoid.
Secure Business Viability through Patents and Other Categories of IP, George Likourezos, Partner, Intellectual Property Counsel, Carter, Deluca, Farrell
& Schmidt, LLP: Barriers to competitors are of critical value in building a viable,
ongoing business. Patents are a major tool employed by technology companies to carve
out protected market space. George Likourezos explains how patents can help you, and
discusses the basics of the patenting process.
Positioning Your Company for Fundability, Lori Hoberman, Founder, Hoberman Law Group: Each company situation comes with its
own multitude of variables. Yet, certain fundamentals are in common to how value is
perceived by investors. Lori Hoberman has consulted to a great multitude of companies
in funds raising, and provides the essence of what to do, and what to convey to investors.
Crowdfunding: How Kickstarter Investors Make Their Decisions, Richard Chan, Assistant Professor, College of Business, Stony Brook University: Ahh,
if only we had a 'magic bullet' to help us in funds raising. Wait, we actually do
have one in the form of Prof. Chan’s research into 'magic words' in company Kickstarter
pitches which statistically do increase the odds of an investment.
International Partnership Opportunities, Inon Elroy, Israel Economic Minister to North America: A senior representative of
the 'Startup Nation' informs us of opportunities that his nation can provide.
Documenting an Investment Deal: How it Really Works, Neil Kaufman, Corporate Attorney: Contract negotiations leading to that all important
investment in your company are among the most critical financial matters in which
entrepreneurs engage. What to ask for? What to look out for? Neil Kaufman will give
us his insider’s perspective.
So You Got That Investment, Now What?, Ron Goldman, Chief Executive Officer, Accuvein, Inc.: So, you thought it was cigar
time after landing that investment? Perhaps it is, but accepting that long-sought
funding is only the beginning of the story, and experienced entrepreneur Ron Goldman
will fill us in.
Tax Issues Entrepreneurs Must Face, Karen O'Connor, Tax Director, Marcum, LLP: Revenue taxed once. Revenue taxed twice.
Quarterly filings. IRS form 941. State unemployment 'contributions,' and so on. Karen
O’Connor will provide the professional insight to help us catch our breath.
Building Enterprise Valuation, David Calone, Founder, Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund: Any time a company
takes an investment there will be a discussion, and hopefully a negotiation, about
valuation. What factors go into valuation of early phase companies, and what actions
can you take to impact yours? Well-traveled investor David Calone shares his insider’s
perspective.
New York State Funded Venture Capital Resource, Brian Kiel, Managing Director, New York State Innovation Venture Capital Fund, Empire
State Development: Yes, the state of New York really can make a monetary contribution
to increase the size of an investment into your company. (Care to guess where the
funds come from?) Experienced executive Brian Kiel will tell all in explaining these
programs.
The Office of the Vice President for Economic Development at Stony Brook University has an unparalleled economic role in fostering a dynamic,
interconnected, entrepreneurial regional ecosystem that fuels self-sustaining, technology-based
industry clusters driven by continuing innovation, while collaborating with industry
and government to design new IT-focused economic development institutions and mechanisms.
CEWIT & Sensor CAT, a powerful synergy is created by collaboration of two major NYSTAR-designated Centers
at Stony Brook University, the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology
(CEWIT), and the Center for Advanced Technology in Diagnostic Tools and Sensor Systems
(Sensor CAT). A partnership committed to supporting entrepreneurs and their ventures,
fueled by the inspiration and inventions of world class researchers, assisted by New
York state funds, and lead by a joint team of business and scientific experts.
