GROWTH CAPITAL CONFERENCE 56 convenes April 30, 2015 (Thursday) at 7:00 a.m. sharp in order to connect entrepreneurs with deals and investors with capital.
The event lasts till 10:00 a.m. and takes place at The Olympic Connection at Olympic and Sawtelle. A hearty breakfast will be served; speakers will get started at 7:30 a.m.
Featured speakers at this event will be: Don Kasle, Chairman Emeritus, Tech Coast Angels Network and Senior Consultant, TriTech Small Business Development Center; Greg Cullen, Managing Director of Harvard Investment Group; Michael Donahue, President of Columbia Capital Advisors and Columbia Capital Securities; Jo Anne Miller, Managing Director, Golden Seeds Angel Network; and Terry Kay, Chairman of the Board, Pasadena Angels.
Growth Capital conference, co-hosted by David Newman and Dr. Kathleen Vinson, regularly showcases a wide range of deals.
This Thursday, April 30, a company that develops horror films and other horror-centric projects will present, as will a company focused on the cannabis industry.
Another company will present a Southern-themed restaurant concept that has franchising possibilities. An international firm will discuss its line of bio-degradable tableware.
Yet another company will present its cloud-based surveillance and security video system.
Digital startups are of course featured. Last conference, netObjex, “powering the internet of things” made a presentation. So did TuneGo, a site that connects up-and-coming musicians and singers with record labels.
In addition to digital startups, many Growth Capital Conference deals presented are more “old school” – like taking steel shipping containers and turning them into housing and classrooms.
A recent presenter showcased new, cleaner burning engines that can save truck fleets huge amounts in fuel bills.
Conference co-chair David Newman says of the companies that present at GCC, “Many have customers, some are cash flow positive. They seek financing, advisors and strategic partners. We are pleased to bring them together in a learning experience with dynamic funding sources and experienced advisors.”
Part of the learning experience is hearing Newman go over “Dave’s Big Seven.”
Newman says a good presentation quickly and clearly states the problem being solved – and the opportunity this offers the entrepreneurs who are trying to solve the problem.
Newman adds that it’s important to articulate who the company’s target customers are, how the company will makes money – coupled with five years of financial projections.
A description of the management team is obviously important, continues Newman. Last but not least, entrepreneurs need to be clear how much money they are asking for and how the money will be used.
If a company really wants to grab attention, notes Newman, it should include some “zingers” if it can – phrases like “this is a cash cow,” “we will generate recurring revenue,” “a buyer already contacted us” or “we made big money for previous investors.”
Much of the action at GCC happens behind-the-scenes. Time is built into the program for networking. Some entrepreneurs come to see how other companies make their pitches, hoping to learn. During breaks, they can hand out business cards and discuss their projects.
One entrepreneur, Antoine Richards, invented a board game, 21JumpBall, that he showed to interested parties off to the side at the last GCC. Richards attended GCC to “learn how it’s done.”
21JumpBall is kind of a cross between checkers and blackjack, with players using small cue balls (the kind used in billiards) to jump over (and eliminate) other cue balls, in an attempt to come as close to having 21 points as possible remaining on the game board (without going over).
Richards says school children love the game and that it teaches math skills.
Many introductions made at Growth Capital Conference have turned into funded deals later. Entrepreneurs with deals they’d like to pitch are encouraged to submit them online at www.GCC2000.org. Those wanting to attend can buy tickets by going to the same website.
