This panel will discuss capital availability for the entrepreneur looking to build a business. Capital sources to be explored include angel funding, government funding and early stage institutional funding. The financial and operational advantages of operating a business from a business incubator will also be discussed.. Each panelist  will discuss their investment criteria, industry preferences, size of investment, expected returns, timing and due diligence process. Methodologies for allowing the entrepreneur to preserve limited capital will also be reviewed.

Moderator: Alan Wink, Director Technology Group, Amper, Politziner & Mattia

A Sieve or a Safe – How Solid is Your IP? Real World Tips for Emerging Businesses

One of the first questions any potential investor will ask after walking into your office is, How solid is your intellectual property?  What’s your answer? This panel discussion will cover:

-patents  (why it pays to file a patent, changes to patent laws and timing) 
-copyrights  (why you shouldn't just mail yourself a copy of your source code)
-trademarks (calling your company "Macrosoft" is probably a bad idea)         
-trade secrets (protecting secrets without using a decoder ring)
-lessons learned, oversight, governance

- Define your sales messaging and avoid stereotype behavior
- Plan your selling organization and approach
- Know when you are winning or losing
- Learn to qualify and disqualify opportunities

Whether you are a sales force of one, just thinking about how to sell you offering or if you already have a sales organization, this workshop can help.

Adjourn