M·CAM and Next Steps Research are sponsors for CVG’s 9th Annual Business Forum

Date:  Thu, 2006-11-09

Debra L. Fisher November 9-10, 2006 Dear Friends of M·CAM: I am pleased to announce that M·CAM and Next Steps Research are collaborating to sponsor the keynote speaker event for the Charlottesville Venture Group’s 9th Annual Business Forum on November 9-10 at the Darden Graduate Business School. The keynote speaker this year is Steven Burke, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, N.C. Biotechnology Center. This event has been and continues to be a highlight for the entrepreneurial community each year for Central Virginia. CVG has carefully selected speakers who ARE entrepreneurs, WORK WITH entrepreneurs, and can HELP entrepreneurs build their businesses. The theme is “Collaborate to Accelerate” – a relevant theme to anyone doing business in our local, regional, or global economy. I encourage you to consider attending the event – there are too many speakers and sessions to list here in this note, but I’ve listed some highlights below. You can also find additional information at CVG.

• Entrepreneurial Boot Camp – NEW for 2006 – Fred Hutchison promises an interactive, educational, and relevant series of workshops for budding entrepreneurs or for those who’d like to gain access to some seasoned entrepreneurs.
• Thursday night’s gala features Steven Burke, Senior VP from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Steven is a great speaker and will no doubt share some interesting perspectives on collaboration in the biotech industry.
• Take advantage of the 90-second pitch opportunity at Thursday night’s gala to pitch your business, ideas, or needs.
• Networking opportunities throughout the event will give you great opportunities to meet some new faces and build meaningful business relationships.
• Friday’s panels will feature entrepreneurs sharing experiences and expertise to help attendees avoid pitfalls and build effective and efficient collaborations.
• Friday’s Luncheon Speaker, Jim Brady from PayerPath, will relate his personal experiences with small emerging businesses as well as global giants – relevant to everyone here in Central Virginia!
• Darden Business Concept Competition – this is the second year that CVG has had this as part of the Forum. Students will pitch their business concept to the crowd. A great event for potential angels, institutional investors, and VCs alike.

I hope that you have a chance to take part in the event. I look forward to seeing you there!