May 16-17, 2012 - Buffalo, NY 2012...

2012 Highlights

GROWTH STAGE SPONSORS:

www.brightbuffaloniagara.com

Bright Buffalo Niagara, SmartStart and UNYTECH partnered to host the 2012

Venture Forum, which connected early-stage, high-tech companies with angel

investors and venture capitalists over two days of programming.

• Over130attendeesatUpstateNewYorkTechnologyGroup(UNYTECH)program

• Over130entrepreneurandinvestorattendeesattheVentureForumOpeningDinner

• Nearly300VentureForumattendeesincludinginvestors,entrepreneurs,communityleaders,andotherprofessionals

• Nearly50companiesseekinginvestmentinattendancefromUpstateNewYorkandCanadaacrosslifesciences,energy,IT,andadvancedmanufacturingsectors

• Over50angelandventurecapitalistinvestorsinattendancefromacrossNewYorkState,Pennsylvania,Ohio,Illinois,Florida,Maryland,California,andOntario,Canada

• CollaboratedwiththeBusinessIncubatorAssociationofNewYorkStateforitsannualmeetingfeaturingLeeciaEve,DeputySecretaryforEconomicDevelopment,NewYorkState

May 16-17, 2012 - Buffalo, NY

For more information, please call 716.881.7588

2www.brightbuffaloniagara.com

START-UP STAGE SPONSORS:

GROWTH STAGE SPONSORS:

Thank You to our Sponsors

www.bioinformatics.buffalo.edu

www.superior-sdc.com

www.watsonbennett.com

www.ceg.org

www.rfsuny.orgwww.esd.ny.gov/nystar

www.uvany.com

www.buffalo.edu


A T T O R N E Y SLLP

www.buffaloniagara.org www.ecidany.com

SEED STAGE SPONSORS:

Thank You to our Sponsors

PRE-SEED STAGE SPONSORS:

www.bnmc.org

MEDIA SPONSORS:

www.rbj.netwww.cnybj.com

www.hodgsonruss.comwww.research.buffalo.edu/stor

www.phillipslytle.com

www.blue-highway.com

www.wnyventure.com www.woodsoviattgilman.com

www.canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo

www.immcodiagnostics.comwww.excellny.com www.hsbc.com

www.dopkins.com

www.hrfmlaw.com

techtransfer.syr.edu

www.freedmaxick.com

www.rpi.edu

Mentor to Entrepreneurs

[email protected]

www.careerbuilder.com

Support our ongoing efforts to build our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

ToinquireaboutopportunitiestosponsorongoingBrightBuffaloNiagaraprogramsincludingthe2013BrightForum,pleasecontactRenataBatorat(716)881-7588/[email protected].


Withover40seriousleadsandmeetingswithinvestorsafteronlythreemonths,theForum’spresentingcompaniesaregainingmomentum.HereareafewearlyreportsfromsomeoftheForum’spresentingcompanies:

• Strong Arm TechnologiesisfieldinginvestmentoffersfromBuffalo,Rochester,Pittsburgh,NewYorkandBostonandwasoneof1,237startupsthatappliedtotheMassChallenge 2012 Accelerator Programtobecomeoneof125finalistsaccepted.

• IMUZIK LLCfounderRobertJanduraCessnahasbeennominatedbyEntrepreneur Magazine asatop10semi-finalistforEntrepreneuroftheYear.

• One 2012 Venture Forum Presenter, whowishesanonymityuntildealsarefinalized,reportsa$250,000investmentinprocessasaresultofattendingtheForumandanother$750,000inprivatefundingforthcoming.

• AviSmart Technologies, Inc. reportssalesofalmost$250,000nearlyclosedaswellascontractsexecutedwithtwochannelpartnersasadirectresultofattendingtheForum.AviSmartwasnominatedbytheForum’sGrowthStageSponsor,SuperiorGroupfortheRochester Great AwardswhichresultedinselectionforanindustrypanelattheUniversityofRochester.CEOMarciaOlsenisalsotalkingweeklywithaninvestorwhoattendedtheForum.

• Silicon WolvesUnitedStatesSenatorforNewYork,KirstinGillibrandvisitswithSiliconWolvesPresidentRyanWolf:“One(ofthebusinesses)IreallythoughtwasprettyamazingisSiliconWolves…Thefourth-largestsupercomputerinthestateissittingrighthereinthisbuilding,whichisprettyimpressive.Theyareabletodeliverthatsupercomputingatamuchlowerrate,sothatisabusinessideathatwillmakemoney,anditisonethatwillcontinuetohelpmorecompanies.”http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/574772/Initiative-targets-area.html?nav=5047

• Vital IVhadgreatsuccesswithanFDAconsultanttheymetattheForumandhavehadtwopreliminarytalkswithinvestorswiththreeinvestorstocirclebacktoafterfurthertechnologydevelopmentoverthesummer.

• Thermal Solution Resourcesreceiveda$50,000privateinvestmentresultingfromtheForumandhavereceivedtheirfirstpurchaseordertosupply10,000completeLEDlamps.

• Expose Retail Strategies Inc. “Wetalkweeklytoonemajorgroupwhoisexploringinvestmentwithus.”

2012 Entrepreneur Updates (as of August 14, 2012)

David Napper, President and CEO of Expose Retail Strategies, Inc.

Robert Jandura Cessna Founder of IMUZIK, LLC

Strong Arm Technologies demonstrate the Strong Arm vest


Thank You to our Committee Members

BlueTree Allied Angels

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Canadian Consulate General, Buffalo

Citybration

Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA)

High Tech Rochester, Inc.

Insyte Consulting

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLC

NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences

Niagara Venture Forum

Superior Group

Trillium Group

University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering

Technology (UB CAT)

University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer, and Economic Outreach

Upstate Venture Association on New York (UVANY)

Watson Bennett Colligan & Schechter LLP

Western New York Venture Association

BRIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Advantage Capital Partners

Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology

Binghamton University

CACT, Alfred University

Cayuga Venture Fund

Center for Economic Growth

CenterState CEO

Central New York - TDO

Clarkson University

Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise & Commercialization

Empire State Development, Division of Science, Technology and Innovation

Erie County Industrial Development Agency

Excell Partners

FA Technology Ventures

From Research to Reality

Half Moon Ventures

Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti

High Peaks Ventures

High Tech Rochester

Hudson Valley Technology Development Center, Inc.

Industrial and Technology Assistance Corporation

Insyte Consulting

Lighting Cultivator (LINC)

Pam Silverstein, Mentor to Entrepreneurs

Neworks, LLC

Nixon Peabody

Phillips Lytle LLP

Pine Street Capital

Rancourt Partnering 4 Innovation

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rochester Institute of Technology

Shipley Center for Innovation, Clarkson University

Stonehenge Growth Capital

Syracuse University

The Research Foundation of SUNY

Trillium Group

Union Graduate College

University at Albany

University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach

Upstate Medical University

Upstate Venture Association of New York (UVANY)

Upstate Venture Connect/Seed Capital Fund of CNY

Venture Creations, Rochester Institute of Technology

SMARTSTART UNYTECH ADVISORY BOARD:

Advantage Capital

BlueTree Allied Angels

Boston Harbor Angels

Buffalo Angels

Cayuga Venture Fund

Empire State Development, Division of Science, Technology and Innovation

Excell Partners

FA Technology Ventures

Half Moon Ventures

High Peaks Ventures

Life Sciences Angel Network

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

Lux Capital

National Angel Capital Association, Canada

Niagara Venture Forum

Rand Capital

Small Business Technology Investment Fund

Stonehenge Growth Capital

Trillium Group

University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach

Upstate Venture Connect

Upstate Venture Association of New York (UVANY)

Western New York Venture Association (WNYVA)

INVESTOR SUBCOMMITTEE:

A special thank you to the committee members involved in this year’s company evaluation process.


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UNYTECH Agenda – May 16th, 2012

UNYTECH Program: Partners in Open InnovationBest Practices in University-Startup-Corporate Collaboration9:00a.m. Registration/Networking

10:00a.m. Welcome/Opening Remarks “The Innovation Landscape”

Dr.RobertJ.Genco–Vice Provost, STOR, UniversityatBuffalo

MartinK.Casstevens–Directed Energy & STOR, UniversityatBuffalo

10:15a.m. Best Practices in Corporate Sponsored University Research

Dr.AlexanderN.Cartwright–Vice President for Research and Economic Development, UniversityatBuffalo*

Dr.EugeneKrentsel–Assistant VP, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships,BinghamtonUniversity

MikeDwyer–Director Research Relations, RochesterInstituteofTechnology

KarenParysek–Director, Technology Relations and External Funding, Praxair

11:00a.m. Strategic Licensing from Universities – A Panel Discussion

ScottMacfarlane–Director of Research Technology Commercialization, UpstateMedical*

JeffreyDunbar–Director, STOR,UniversityatBuffalo

WilliamBond–Director, IntellectualPropertyManagementOffice,RochesterInstituteofTechnology

11:40a.m. Best Practices in State and Federal Public Funding of Innovation

PeterPritchard–Manager, Technology Matching, CenterforEconomicGrowth,MEPprogram*

MikeShimazu–Innovation and Business Development, NYSERDA

12:10p.m. Lunch

1:00p.m. P&G Open Innovation Experiences - a Guide to Inventors Approaching P&G

Dr.DonaldJ.White–Research Fellow, VictorMillsSociety,ProcterandGambleMasonBusinessCenter

Introducedby:HeatherM.Hage,Esq.–Director, Commercialization Practice Group, TheResearchFoundationforSUNY

1:50p.m. Establishing an OI program in an Existing Business & Strategic Partnerships between Corporations and Startups

RichardE.Honen,Esq.–Partner, PhillipsLytleLLP*

DavidEilers–Vice President, Business Development, Blue-Highway

StewartMehlman–Director, Technology,Praxair

3:20p.m. Corporate Venture/Strategic Acquisitions

GarySchober–Partner,HodgsonRussLLP*

AugustJ.Coppola,Sr.–Senior VP, CorporateDevelopment,QuanexBuildingProducts

Dr.DonaldJ.White–Research Fellow, VictorMillsSociety,ProcterandGambleMasonBusinessCenter

Dr.SigmundKulessa–Fellow, CorporateOfficeofScienceandTechnology,Johnson&Johnson

4:30p.m. Closing Remarks & Reception

MartinCasstevens–Directed Energy & STOR, UniversityatBuffalo

*Moderator


TheUNYTECH“PartnersinOpenInnovation”programonMay16thprovidedauniqueopportunitytoexplorehowuniversities,startupsandestablishedcompaniescanworktomutualbenefit.Universitieshavelongbeenrecognizedasasourceoftalent,ideasandareincreasingvaluedasenginesofeconomicgrowth.

OVER 130 ATTENDEES

PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR!

UNYTECH – May 16th, 2012

Program attendees enjoying a chance to talk and network during lunch in the UB Center for the Arts atrium.

Dr.WhiteprovidedanengaginglookatProctorandGamble’scompanyhistoryanddrivetobealeaderinopeninnovation–aprocessthathasyieldedmanynewproductsandimprovedprofitability.Heopenlychallengedtheaudiencetobringtheirbestideastohimsothathecouldchampiontheminternally.

Dr. Robert Genco & Frances Genco enjoying a discussion with featured speaker Dr. Don White (middle) of Proctor and Gamble at the UNYTECH reception.

Jeff Dunbar of the University at Buffalo moderating the discussion on Strategic Licensing from Universities with Bill Bond of RIT and Scott Hancock of Binghamton University.


Venture Forum Opening Dinner

STATLER CITY MAY 16, 2012

6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Featuringanaudienceof:

• Over30companiesseekinginvestment

• Local,out-of-state,andinternationalangelandVCinvestors

• 2012sponsorsandprogramspeakers

• OtherVIPguests

This invitation-only event provided a unique networking opportunity for a select group of entrepreneurs and investors.

TheOpeningDinnerwashighlightedbyspecialremarksfromZachary Shulman,ManagingPartnerforCayuga Venture Fund,andGregory Galvin, Ph.D.,PresidentandCEOofKionix, Inc.,agloballeaderinMicroElectroMechanicalSystems(MEMS),foundedbyDr.GalvininIthaca,NY.

Thetwospeakersgaveanentertainingandinformativepresentation,discussingthesuccessfulexitofKionixandprovidingadvicetoentrepreneursandinvestorslookingtofollowtheirexample.

Zach Shulman joked that Dr. Galvin’s signature hoodie and jeans are a mark of his entrepreneurial spirit.


10

MORNINGMODERATOR:MarnieLaVigne,Ph.D.–Associate Vice President for Economic Development,UniversityatBuffalo

7:30a.m.–8:00a.m. Angel & Venture Capitalist Breakfast Registration(Albright-Knox–EntryWay)

8:00a.m.–9:00a.m. Angel & Venture Capitalist Breakfast (Albright-Knox–Muse)

“Doing the Deal: Building Angel / Venture Capitalist Collaborations for Success”

NasirAli–Co-Founder and CEO, UpstateVentureConnect;Executive Director, SeedCapitalFundofCentralNewYork;Managing Director, StartFastVentureAccelerator,Board Member, UVANY

BryanJ.Watson–Executive Director, NationalCapitalAngelAssociation,Canada

TimothyA.O’Neill–Managing Partner, GoldenSeedsFundII

DanPenberthy– President,UpstateVentureCapitalAssociationofNewYork;Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, RANDCapitalCorporation

MODERATOR:DavidColligan,Esq.–Partner, WatsonBennettColligan&SchechterLLP;Board Member, WesternNewYorkVentureAssociation

9:30a.m.–10:00a.m. Forum Registration & Breakfast (Albright-Knox–EntryWay)

10:00a.m.–10:15a.m. Welcome and Introductions (Albright-Knox–Auditorium)

AlexanderCartwright,Ph.D.–Vice President for Research and Economic Development,UniversityatBuffalo,TheStateUniversityofNewYork

StevenCohen–Deputy Commissioner & SVP, Community Economic Development, EmpireStateDevelopment“New Innovate NY Fund: $25 million to spur small business job creation through seed funding”

JeffreyA.Lawrence–Executive Vice President, Technology, CenterforEconomicGrowth

MODERATOR:MarnieLaVigne,Ph.D.–Associate Vice President for Economic Development,UniversityatBuffalo

10:15a.m.–11:30a.m. High-Tech Company Showcase in Life Sciences, Energy, IT & Advanced Manufacturing Part I(Albright-Knox–Auditorium)Ten minute investor pitches by six high-tech firms seeking to raise funds.

MODERATOR:ScottStenclik–President, SuperiorGroup

11:30a.m.–1:00p.m. Networking Lunch(BurchfieldPenney)

Please proceed to the registration area where transportation will be provided to the luncheon at Burchfield Penney

AFTERNOONMODERATOR:JeffreyA.Lawrence–Executive Vice President, Technology, CenterforEconomicGrowth

1:00p.m.–2:00p.m. Keynote Address(Albright-Knox–Auditorium)

“Building an Innovation-based Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”

VictorM.Thorne– Director, OhioTechAngelFunds

MODERATOR:AlfredCulliton–COO, ErieCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAgency

2:00p.m.–2:15p.m. Break

Venture Forum Agenda – May 17th, 2012

11

2:15p.m.–3:30p.m. High-Tech Company Showcase in Life Sciences, Energy, IT & Advanced Manufacturing Part II (Albright-Knox–Auditorium)Ten minute investor pitches by six high-tech firms seeking to raise funds.

MODERATOR:ThomasA.Kucharski–President and CEO,BuffaloNiagaraEnterprise

3:30p.m.–3:45p.m. Break

3:45p.m.–5:00p.m. High-Tech Company Showcase in Life Sciences, Energy, IT & Advanced Manufacturing Part III(Albright-Knox–Auditorium)Ten minute investor pitches by six high-tech firms seeking to raise funds.

MODERATOR:JenniferKutas–Office Manager, ThomasR.BeecherJr.InnovationCenter

5:00p.m.–5:15p.m. One Minute Entrepreneur Pitches(Albright-Knox–Auditorium)One minute pitches by a select group of high tech firms

MODERATOR:JackMcGowan–Project Manager, InsyteConsulting;Director, WesternNewYorkVentureAssociation

5:15p.m.–5:20p.m. Company Recognitions

MODERATOR:LauraMann–Program Director of Business Growth Services, CenterforEconomicGrowth

5:45p.m.–7:30p.m. Reception(BuffaloYachtClub–1PorterAvenue,Buffalo,NY)

DirectionsfromAlbright-KnoxArtGallerytoBuffaloYachtClub:

• HeadsouthonElmwoodAvenuetowardRockwellRoad

• TurnrightontoBidwellParkway

• Atthetrafficcircle,takethethirdexitontoRichmondAvenue

• Atthenexttrafficcircle,continuestraighttostayonRichmondAvenue

• Atthenexttrafficcircle,takethefirstexitontoPorterAvenue

• BuffaloYachtClub,at1PorterAvenue,willbeontheleft

iPad winner announced. Enter to win at registration table. Must be present to win.

Get connected to the Upstate New York Entrepreneurial Ecosystem:

www.smartstartvf.orgwww.brightbuffaloniagara.com

Venture Forum Agenda – May 17th, 2012


Venture Forum - Angel Investor and Venture Capitalist Breakfast

ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY

MAY 17, 2012

8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.

“DoingtheDeal:BuildingAngel/VentureCapitalistCollaborationsforSuccess”

Panel Moderator:DavidColligan,Esq.–Partner,WatsonBennettColligan&SchechterLLP(Start-UpStageSponsor);BoardMember,WesternNewYorkVentureAssociation(Pre-SeedStageSponsor)

Panelists:NasirAli–Co-FounderandCEO,UpstateVentureConnect;ExecutiveDirector,SeedCapitalFundofCentralNewYork;ManagingDirector,StartFastVentureAccelerator,BoardMember,UVANY

BryanJ.Watson–ExecutiveDirector,NationalAngelCapitalOrganization,Canada

TimothyA.O’Neill–GeneralPartner,GoldenSeedsFundII

DanPenberthy–President,UpstateVentureAssociationofNewYork;ExecutiveVicePresidentandChiefFinancialOfficer,RANDCapitalCorporation

Angels and Venture Capitalists in Attendance:

• AislingCapital(NewYork,NY)

• BisonCapital(SantaMonica,CA)

• BlueTreeAlliedAngels(Erie,PA)

• CayugaVentureFund(Ithaca,NY)

• CornellBigRedVenture(Ithaca,NY)

• EarlyStagePartners(Cleveland,OH)

• EasternNYAngels(Troy,NY)

• GoldenSeeds(NewYork,NY)

• HopewellVentures(Chicago,IL)

• MountRoyalVentures(Pittsford,NY)

• NationalAngelCapitalOrganization(Toronto,ON)

• NiagaraAngelNetwork(PortColborne,ON)

• PatriotCapital(Baltimore,Maryland)

• PolarisVenturePartners(Waltham,MA)

• OhioTechAngelFunds(Columbus,OH)

• RochesterAngelNetwork(Rochester,NY)

• SeedCapitalFundofCentralNewYork(Syracuse,NY)

• StonehengeGrowthCapital,LLC(Tampa,FL)

• WesternNewYorkVentureAssociation(Buffalo,NY)


Venture Forum

ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY

MAY 17, 2012

9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.Special “Angel / Venture Capitalist Breakfast” for

qualified investors held from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

The2012VentureForum,co-hostedthroughthepartnershipofSmartStartUNYTECHandBrightBuffaloNiagara,connectedearly-stage,high-techcompanieswithangelinvestorsandventurecapitalists.

Servingnotonlytopromotedeal-making,theVentureForumadvancedthepartners’sharedgoalofstrengtheningUpstateNewYork’sentrepreneurialecosystembyhelpinginvestors,entrepreneursandcommunityleadersestablishtrustandlong-termrelationships.

AlexanderCartwright,Ph.D.–Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University at Buffalo

StevenCohen–Deputy Commissioner and Senior Vice President, Community Economic Development, Empire State Development

JeffreyA.Lawrence–Executive Vice President for Technology, Center for Economic Growth

MarnieLaVigne,Ph.D.–Associate Vice President for Economic Development, University at Buffalo

Featuring an audience of:

• Nearly300VentureForumattendeesincludinginvestors,entrepreneurs,communityleaders,andotherprofessionals

• Nearly50companiesseekinginvestmentinattendancefromUpstateNewYorkandCanadaacrosslifesciences,energy,IT,andadvancedmanufacturingsectors

• Over50angelandventurecapitalistinvestorsinattendancefromacrossNewYorkState,Pennsylvania,Ohio,Illinois,Florida,Maryland,California,andOntario,Canada

Welcome & Introductions

“The governor and our agency, which is the primary economic development agency of the state, have a very strong commitment to innovation…we recognize the need for very early seed stage investment in the state both to keep companies here but also as a job creation strategy.”

– Steven Cohen

“We want to help the Western New York region and New York State in terms of economic development…make it easier for people to work with the institution”

– Alexander Cartwright Ph.D.


High-Tech Company Showcase in Life Sciences,Energy, IT & Advanced Manufacturing

Ten minute presentations by eighteen high-tech firms seeking investment funding from potential investors

Moderators:

Part I ScottStenclik–President,SuperiorGroup(GrowthStageSponsor)

Part II ThomasA.Kucharski–President&CEO,BuffaloNiagaraEnterprise(SeedStageSponsor)

Part III JenniferKutas–OfficeManager,ThomasR.BeecherJr.InnovationCenter(SeedStageSponsor)

• JustinHillery,CMO,demonstratedStrongArmTechnologies’novelliftingsafetysystem

• MarciaOlson,CEO,explainedAviSmart’sbusinessinformationsoftware,AviTrak

• MarkSperry,CEO,introducedH2Pump’shydrogenrecyclingservice

• RobertJanduraCessna,DirectorofProductDevelopment,pitchediMuzik’stouchscreendigitalmusicstand

Justin Hillery, Strong Arm Technologies Marcia Olson, AviSmart

Mark Sperry, H2Pump Robert Jandura Cessna, iMuzikFeatured Companies:


Networking Luncheon and Keynote Address

BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER

KEYNOTE ADDRESS“Building an Innovation-based Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”

Moderator: AlfredCulliton–COO,ErieCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAgency(SeedStageSponsor)

Keynote Speaker: Victor Thorne

• ServesasDirectorofOhioTechAngelsFunds

• Co-foundedBroadlineCapital,aglobalinvestmentmanagementfirm

• Co-foundedandledbusinessdevelopmentforleadingproviderofsupplychainmanagementandintelligencesolutionsinfoodindustry,soldcompanyatninedigitvaluation

• HoldsanABfromHarvardUniversityandanMBAfromKelloggSchoolofManagementatNorthwesternUniversity

• ServesonboardsofBrandThunder,VacationView,ColumbusAcademy,andJobsforYouth

TohearVictor’smotivationkeynote,visituson:www.youtube.com/NYSCOE

“Innovation drives businesses. Small businesses are the real driver of job growth, especially quality job growth.”

– Victor Thorne

“The real value is creating multi-millionaires that are in the ecosystem and leading the charge for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

– Victor Thorne


One minute pitches by a select group of fifteen high-tech firms seeking to raise funds.

Moderator: JackMcGowan-ProjectManager,InsyteConsulting(Pre-SeedStageSponsor),Director,WesternNewYorkVentureAssociation

16

Most Promising Technology PlantForm Corporation Best Presentation Strong Arm Technologies Most Likely to be Funded Simulated Surgical Systems

One Minute Investor Pitches One minute pitches by a select group of fifteen

high-tech firms seeking to raise funds.

Moderator: Jack McGowan - Consultant, Insyte Consulting (Seed Stage Sponsor) Director, Western New York Venture Association

Evening Networking Reception at the Buffalo Yacht Club

All Forum participants were invited to dine and network at Buffalo’s

scenic Yacht Club, where Lake Erie meets the Niagara River

For-Robin

Company Recognitions Moderator: Laura Mann – Program Director of Business Growth Services, Center for Economic Growth

One Minute Investor Pitches

COMPANY AWARDSModerator:LauraMann–ProgramDirectorofBusinessGrowthServices,CenterforEconomicGrowth

Most Promising Technology: PlantForm Corporation www.plantformcorp.com

Best Presentation: Strong Arm Technologies strongarmvest.com

Most Likely to be Funded: Simulated Surgical Systems www.simulatedsurgicals.com

EVENING NETWORKING RECEPTION AT THE BUFFALO YACHT CLUB

All Forum participants were invited to dine and network at Buffalo’s scenic Yacht Club, where

Lake Erie meets the Niagara River


2012 Press Releases and News Stories

Rangingfromuniversityresearchprofessorshopingtoprovidetreatmentsforcancer,torecentcollegegradshawkingdigitalsheetmusic,morethan30entrepreneurspitchedtheirproductstopotentialinvestorsduringatwo-dayventureforuminBuffalo.

The2012VentureForumMay16-17featuredtwofulldaysofnetworkinganddeal-making,attractingbothentrepreneursfromUpstateNewYorkandSouthernOntariotogetherwithandventurecapitalprofessionalsfromthroughoutthestateandbeyond.

Inadditiontopaneldiscussionsabouttechnologytransferandhowtocommercializeproducts,theeventfeatures10-minuteandone-minutepresentationsbypeoplelookingforfundingtolaunchacompany,expandortakeittothenextlev-el.

ChristineMontagwasamongthoseentrepreneurstakingthestageattheAlbright-KnoxArtGallery’sauditorium,hopingtofinda$500,000partnertoadvanceherLadybugTechnologiesInc.,amanufacturerofbreathalyzerproductsforthehospitalityandbeveragealcoholindustry.

Theeight-year-oldAmherstbusinessexpectstogenerate$900,000thisyearthroughsalesofitshandheldBAQTrackerbreathalyzerunitsandnewsingle-usetests.Nowit’sexpandingintokiosksthatofferadditionalopportunitiesthroughtesting,hospitalitycoupons,taxicallsandotherhospitality-relatedadd-ons.

OthersincludedtheOntario-basedPlantFormCorp.,abiotechnologyfirmthatusestobaccotodevelopaplant-based,genericalternativetoHerceptin,thenamebrandcancerdrugduetocomeoffpatentin2014.PlantForm’sDonStewart,presidentandCEO,hasspentyearsinresearchanddevelopment,toldinvestorsthecompanyisseeking$2millionthroughangelinvestorsand$10millioninanAroundofinstitutionalfundingtoadvanceitsdrugthroughclinicaltrials.

YoungentrepreneursincludedJeffWarrenofTopQualityHayProcessorsinGeneva,workingonanewprocesstoharvestandbailhayandall-naturalfeedproductsfortheagriculturalmarket.Thecompanyisseeking$5milliontoexpanditsproductionlinestoreachexistingcustomersandexpandnationallyandinternationally.

Withjust10minutestopresent,thepressurewaspalpable:ImuzikLLC’sRobertJanduraCessnaofSyracusepitcheditsMyMuzikdigitalmusicstand,whichhopestobecometheiTunesofsheetmusic.Cessna,arecentcollegegrad,foundedthecompanyayearago.

Thegoaloftheeventswastoconnectentrepreneurswithfunders,includingangelinvestors,institutionalinvestorsandventurecapitalfirms,andtokeepthoseyoungandgrowingcompaniesintheupstateregion.

Publishedat:http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/05/18/entrepreneurs-hope-capitalists-plant.html?page=all

Entrepreneurs hope capitalists plant seed money

ByTraceyDruryBuffaloBusinessFirstReporterDate:Friday,May18,2012,1:15pmEDT


ATorontostartupcompanyusestobaccoplantsasaplatformforgrowinganti-cancerdrugs.

ASyracusestartupwantstoreplacesheetmusicwithatouch-screenmusicstand.

ARochesterstartuphascreatedanergonomicallyfriendlyvesttohelpworkersproperlyliftheavymaterialswithoutstrainingtheirbacks.

Thesecompaniesallbelievetheyhavethenextmillion-dollaridea,buttheyneedseedmoneytohelpthemtaketheirconceptstothenextlevel.

Entrepreneursfromtheseand30otherstartupsmadetheirpitchesovertwodaysheretopotentialinvestorsinahigh-stakesmatchmakingsession.

“YougetalloftheinvestorsinupstateNewYorkinoneplace,aswellasallofthepeopleinvolvedintheinvestmentprocess.Whichisthecompanies,theentrepreneurs,theuniversitiesandthemoney.Getitallinoneplace--everyonegetstotalktoeachother,”saidRichardHonen,apartnerwithPhillipsLytlewhoworksinthelawfirm’sAlbanyofficeandrunsthefirm’sventure-capitalgroup.

The2012VentureForummergedtheBrightBuffaloNiagarainvestmentconferencewiththeUpstateSmartStartUNYTECHVentureForum,aproductionofAlbany’sCenterforEconomicGrowth.

Theeventencouragedinnovationintheprivatesectorandemphasizedtherolethathigh-techstartupcompaniescanplayinrevitalizingtheeconomy.

“Wearetakingthisseriously.WebelievethatBuffaloneedssomeassistanceinthisandthattheuniversity’sroleshouldbeinprovidingsuchassistance,”saidAlexanderCartwright,theUniversityatBuffalo’svicepresidentforresearchandeconomicdevelopment,inwelcomingremarks.

Morethan300peopleattendedThursday’sVentureForuminAlbright-KnoxArtGallery.Guestsheardpitchesfromentrepreneursandnetworkedovermealsandinbreaksbetweenspeakers.

BrightBuffaloNiagaraandtheSmartStartUNYTECHforumhadoperatedindependently.ButwhenBuffalowasinlineasapossiblehostforthisyear’sSmartStartUNYTECHforum,organizersdecidedtomergethetwoconferences.

The33companies--including12fromWesternNewYork--selectedtoparticipateinthecombinedforumreceivedbetweenoneand10minuteseachtomaketheircasestoinvestorsintheaudience.

TheonlyBuffalocompanyinthefirstgrouptopitch,LadybugTeknologies,makeskiosks,hand-helddevicesandmobileappsthatletpeoplemeasuretheirblood-alcohollevel.

ChristineMontag,co-founderandCEO,saidthecompany’sproductsshouldbepopularwithinthealcoholic-beverageandhospitalityindustriesbecausetheyallowsocialdrinkerstoresponsiblyenjoyalcoholwhilekeepingtheroadssafefrompeoplewhoaretoodrunktodrive.

Ladybugwaslookingtoraise$500,000frominvestorstohelppayforalargerpilotstudythatwouldplace12kioskmachinesinbarsandrestaurants.

DonStewart’sPlantFormCorp.usestobaccoplantsasaplatformtogrowdrugsthatarebiologicallysimilartoexistingdrugs,suchasthebreast-cancertherapyHerceptin,butcostmuchlesstoproduce.

“Wehaveaverysignificantadvantagehere,”saidStewart,PlantForm’sCEO.ThecompanyhaslicensedresearchperformedattheUniversityofGuelphinOntario.

RochesterInstituteofTechnologystudentsSeanPettersonandJustinHilleryshowedoffaliftingvestmadebytheirStrongArmTechnologies.Thevestcontraption,whichincludesglovesthatconnecttothevestandbackbraceusinghigh-strengthwires,providessupportwhilemakingsurepeoplebenddowntoliftheavyweightsproperly.

TheotherpresentersincludedIMUZIK,ofSyracuse,whichisdevelopingamusicstandthatallowsmusicianstoreplacetheirsheetmusicandturnthemusicwithafootpedal.

PeterRothberg,alimitedpartnerwiththeARCFundofNew

Venture Forum aids first impressions

Startup companies pitch products, seek investor funding

ByStephenT.Watson,BuffaloNewsPublished:May17,2012,10:20PMUpdated:May18,2012,9:17AM




BUFFALO,N.Y.--Downstateandout-of-towninvestorsarecomingtoBuffaloinMaylookingfordealsandnewideas.The2012VentureForumisattractingnewattentionfrominvestmentfirmsfromNewYorkCity,Ohio,California,Maryland,IllinoisandPennsylvania.

The2012VentureForumisacollaborationbetweentheBrightForum--BuffaloNiagara’spremiereventforconnectinginvestorsandentrepreneurs--andtheCenterforEconomicGrowth’sSmartStartUNYTECHVentureForum.

Forthefirsttime,thetwoevents,typicallyatoppositeendsoftheNewYorkStateThruway,havejoinedforcestocapitalizeontheirpastsuccess.Theannualforumshaveintroducedmorethan255companiestotheventurecapitalcommunitywithmorethan60companiesraisingover$500millioninequityfinancing,including$72milliondirectlyattributabletocompanies’participationoverthepast11years.

Onenewcomerthisyear,ManagingDirectorRichardStuebifromEarlyStagePartnersinCleveland,Ohio,said,“ThegroundforventureentrepreneurshiphastheinherentconditionstobefertileinupstateandWesternNewYork;wewouldliketobettergettoknowtheopportunities.”

StuebisaidhisfirmhastodatebeenregionallyfocusedonOhioandMichigan,butthattheyareconsideringexpandingintowhathethinksmaybeanunderservedmarketastheybeginplanningfortheirthirdfund.

“TheBuffalo,Rochester,Syracusemarkets,stretchingtoincludeCornell,haveahistoryofinnovation,giventheregion’sresearchuniversitiesandthelegacyofsuchpioneeringcorporationsasKodakandXerox.”Stuebiadded:“Wewanttomakecontacts,lookforpotentialco-investorsinourportfoliocompanies,andbuilddealflowforfuturefunds.”

EarlyStagePartnersisaventurecapitalfirmformedin2001withthebeliefthattheMidwestwouldcreateasignificantnumberofearly-stagetechnologycompaniesthatwouldprovideattractiveinvestmentopportunities.

Anotherfirst-timeattendeethisyear,ThomasParkinson,apartnerwithHopewellVenturesinChicago,Ill.,saidaVentureForumemailgothimthinkingofthegoodnetworkingopportunitiesforhiscompany’snewfund.

“Icouldconsidertheeventasuccessifwegettomeettheleadersintheinvestmentcommunityandthosepersonsactiveinsupportingupstate/WesternNewYork’sentrepreneurialcommunity,”Parkinsonsaid.

Hopewellprovidesequitycapitalandstrategicexpertisetohigh-growthbusinesses,primarilyintheMidwest,withacurrentfocusoncentralandnorthernAppalachia,includingpartsofNewYorkState.Parkinsonsaidthegrowinginvestmentinshaleasanenergyresourcepiquedthefirm’sinterestinattendingtheVentureForumandlearningmoreabouttheentrepreneurialactivityinthisregion.

Investors Come Looking for Deals in Upstate/Western New York

The 2012 Venture Forum is enticing investors from other states and New York City

BySuzanneChamberlain,UBNewsCenterPublished:Monday,May14,2012

YorkCity,saidhewasimpressedwiththesixpresentersbutthoughtStrongArm’svesthadthemostpotential.

“Theirpresentationisveryenergetic,veryinformative.TheyhaveaproductthatIthinkhashugelegs.It’ssomethingthateverybody--Imean,Ithrewmybackoutliftingmy3-year-oldoutofthebackseatofmycar,”Rothbergsaid.

InadditiontoUBandtheCenterforEconomicGrowth,thesponsorsofthe2012VentureForumincludedSuperiorGroupandtheNewYorkStateCenterofExcellenceinBioinformaticsandLifeSciences.

Thursday’sforumwasprecededWednesdaybyUNYTECH’sPartnersinOpenInnovationsprogramintheCenterfortheArtsontheUniversityatBuffalo’sNorthCampus.

Today,theBusinessIncubatorAssociationofNewYorkStateisholdingitsannualmeetinginthebioinformaticscenterinBuffalo.

Publishedat:http://www.buffalonews.com/business/article861562.ece



Bright Forum helps lay foundation for stronger, high-tech economy

ByCharlotteHsu,UBReporterPublished:Thursday,May3,2012

ManagingPartnerTimothyO’NeillofGoldenSeedsinNewYorkCityfeelsit’sincumbentonthecity-locatedinvestmentfirmstoreachbeyondtheirurbanboundaries.

“Goodideasarenotthesolepurviewofmajormetropolitanareas,”O’Neillcommented.“Whileit’seasytofindmanyinvestmentopportunitiesinthecity,weneedtopushourselvesgeographically,andit’sexcitingtohearaboutwhat’shappeningelsewhereinthestate.”

AnewcomertotheVentureForum,O’NeillsaiditwasagoodplacetostartconnectingwithupstateandWesternNewYorkentrepreneursandinvestors.

GoldenSeedsisoneofsixcompaniesthatreceivedagrantthroughthefederallyfundedInnovateNYFund,whichwillbeaddressedinopeningremarksattheforumbyStevenCohen,EmpireStateDevelopment’s(ESD)deputycommissionerandseniorvicepresidentforcommunityeconomicdevelopment.DistributedthroughESD,GoldenSeedsreceived$4milliontoinvestingeneraltechnology,lifescience,orconsumerproductfocusedseedstagebusinesseslocatedacrossthestate.

GoldenSeedsnowhastwoseed/earlystageventurefundsandthefourthlargestangelinvestornetworkintheU.S.Itinvestsinyoungcompanieswithwomeninseniormanagementpositionswhoalsohavesignificantequitypositionsinthecompanies.

FormerWesternNewYorkerandManagingPartnerThomasMatthewsNealeofPatriotCapitalinBaltimore,Md.,whosefirmhasinvestedacrossthecountry,isoptimisticaboutthevalue-addmanufacturingandservicecompaniesinWesternNewYork.

“WewanttoinvestinNewYorkandarelookingforopportunitiesinformerheavymanufacturingindustrial

citiessuchasBuffalowithitsverycapableandhighlyskilledworkforce,”saidNeale.

PatriotCapitalisamezzaninefunder,workingwithotherprivateequityfirmsinterestedininvestinginmiddle-marketcompaniesinthe30-80employeerange.NealesaysPatriotCapitallooksforcompanieswithgoodmanagementandaminimumof$3millioninannualcashflowthatwantcapitaltoexpandtheirbusinesses,makeacquisitionsorrecapitalize.

The2012VentureForum(May16-17)featuresaseriesofpitchsessionswhereentrepreneurspresentideastoinvestors.PrimarysponsorsincludetheUniversityatBuffalo’sNewYorkStateCenterofExcellenceinBioinformaticsandLifeSciences,TheCenterforEconomicGrowth,andSuperiorGroup,aglobalworkforceandbusinesssolutionsprovider.

MarnieLaVigne,associatevicepresidentforeconomicdevelopmentatUB,welcomesthealternativeperspectivesthatnewinvestorsbringtotheforumandishopefulthatit’sthebeginningofmanyfruitfulrelationships.

“TheVentureForumisallaboutacceleratingthegrowthofhigh-techcompaniesinupstateNewYorkbyfacilitatingdeal-making,”shesaid.Shecontinued,“EventslikethesearevitallyimportantbecauseKaufmannFoundationstudieshaveshownthatnewnetjobgrowthcomesfromyoungcompanies,soinnovationandentrepreneurshiphavetobeacenterpieceoftransformingourregion’seconomy.”

Toregisterforthisyear’sForumortolearnmore,visitwww.brightbuffaloniagara.com.

Publishedat:http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13432

Theclimateforhigh-techinvestmentinWesternNewYorkhasimprovedsteadilyoverthepastfewyears,andadriverofnewsuccessesisanannualinvestorforumthat’shappeningagainthisspring.

TheBrightForumisBuffaloNiagara’spremiereventfor

introducinginvestorstopromisingtechnologiesfromacrossNewYorkandOntario.

HostedbyBrightBuffaloNiagara,acoalitionofregionalpartnersledbytheUB,theforumfeaturesaseriesofpitchsessionswhereentrepreneurspresentideastoinvestors.



SponsorsincludeUB’sNewYorkStateCenterofExcellenceinBioinformaticsandLifeSciences,andSuperiorGroup,aglobalworkforceandbusiness-solutionsprovider.

Thisyear,theeventwilltakeplaceMay16-17intheformofthe2012VentureForum,acollaborationbetweentheBrightForumandtheCenterforEconomicGrowth’sSmartStartUNYTECHVentureForum.

Sinceitsinceptionin2009,theBrightForumhasnotonlycatalyzeddeal-making,buthelpedlaythefoundationforasuccessfulentrepreneureconomy.

EricLeinberg,presidentofInfoPreserve,aRochester-areafirmthatprovidesaprivate,cloud-basedplatformforsecuringandmanagingdigitalrecords,sayshiscompanymetoneofitsearlyinvestorsthroughtheBrightForumandlaterconnectedattheforumwithanotherprospectiveinvestorfromPittsburgh.

JackMcGowan,directoroftheWesternNewYorkVentureAssociation/BuffaloAngels,saystheBrightForumhasenabledhimtoraisehisorganization’sprofileandmeetinvestorsfromothercitieswhomaybeinterestedinco-investmentopportunities.

MarnieLaVigne,UBassociatevicepresidentforeconomicdevelopment,saystheBrightForumhelpedspurthecreationofLaunchNewYork,anewnonprofitthatwillacceleratethegrowthofhigh-techcompaniesinupstateNewYorkbyfacilitatingdeal-makingandservingasadirectinvestor.

LaunchNewYorkwillprovidehigh-potentialstartupswithcapitalandexpertassistanceincommercializationandothercrucialareas.Onegoalistodevelopuniversityresearchintoproductsandservicesavailabletoconsumers.

“AswebuildastrongerentrepreneurialecosysteminBuffaloNiagaraandneighboringregions,theBrightForumconnectsinvestorswithentrepreneurswhohaveurgentbusinessneeds,”saysScottStenclik,presidentofSuperiorGroup.“Givenourexpandingbusinessinapplyinghumanresourcessolutionsinregionalandglobalhigh-techsectors,ourfirmseescreativepartnershipsliketheBrightForumasacriticalpieceofgrowingaknowledge-basedeconomy.”

AddsLaVigne:“Allnet,newjobgrowthintheU.S.inthepast30yearshascomefromyoungcompanies,asshownbytheKauffmanFoundation.Innovationandentrepreneurshiphavetobeacenterpieceoftransformingourregion’seconomy.”

LaunchNewYorkemergedfromconversationsbetweenregionalleadersandtheBrightForum’s2009luncheonkeynotespeakerfromJumpStartVentures,anorganizationdrivingthecreationofhigh-growthcompaniesintheClevelandarea.

“Everyonewassoimpressed,hearingwhatClevelandhaddonetodriveentrepreneurshipastraditionalindustrystruggled,thatagroupofusweremotivatedtobringthetalentandfundingtogethertomakethesameefforthere,”LaVigneexplains.

InaccordancewithaRegionalEntrepreneurshipActionPlandevelopedincollaborationwithJumpStart,LaunchNewYorkwasincorporatedattheendof2011.RegionalsupportersincludeUB,theJohnR.OisheiFoundation,NationalGrid,ErieCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAgency,GeneseeCountyEconomicDevelopmentCenterandTompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment.

Thenonprofitwillservea27-countyregionspanningupstateNewYork.TheorganizationhasreceivedseedfundingfromNewYorkStatethroughtheWesternNewYorkRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilandisnowapplyingforafederalEconomicDevelopmentAdministrationgrant.

LaunchNewYorkisjustoneexampleofhowtheBrightForumhelpsbuildmeaningful,long-termrelationshipsbetweenWesternNewYorkandpartnersthatcanfacilitatethegrowthoftheregion’shigh-techeconomy.

McGowansaystheBuffaloAngelsnetworkdecidedtojointhenationalAngelCapitalAssociationin2010aftermeetingtheassociation’schair,akeynotespeaker,attheBrightForum.

LeinbergnotesthatthePittsburghinvestorhemetthroughtheBrightForumnotonlyintroducedInfoPreservetotheinvestor’sangelgroup,buthastakenapersonalinterestinassistingthecompany.TheinvestorhasvisitedRochester,whereInfoPreserveintroducedhimtootheremergingcompaniesfromtheregion.

“Successisallaboutmakingtherightconnectionswithinvestors,advisorsandcustomers,”hesays.“TheBrightForumhasbeenacatalystinmakingsomeofthoseinitialconnections.”

Publishedat:http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/2012_05_03/bright_forum


TwoannualinvestorforumsinUpstateNewYorkwillpartnerin2012tohostasingleevent:atwo-dayforuminBuffalothatwillconnectearly-stage,high-techcompanieswithangelinvestorsandventurecapitalists.

The2012VentureForum,whichwilltakeplaceMay16-17,isapartnershipbetweentheCenterforEconomicGrowth’sSmartStartUNYTECHandWesternNewYork’sBrightForum,twowell-establishedventureforumsinUpstateNewYork.

WhiletheBrightForumisaBuffalo-basedforum,theSmartStartUNYTECHforumhasastate-widefocusandtravelsperiodi-callyfromitshomebaseinAlbanytodifferentlocationsacrossUpstateNewYork.

Partneringin2012willenablethetwoeventstomergetheiraudiences,reachingboththeventurecapitaliststhatSmartStartUNYTECHtypicallyattractsandtheangelinvestorsthathavebeenthefocusofBrightsinceitsinceptionin2009.

Bybuildingrelationshipsbetweenangelinvestorsandventurecapitalists,the2012forumwillimprovethefundingpipelineforearly-stagecompaniesinNewYorkStateandbeyond.Anewlyformedinvestorcommitteethatishelpingtoplantheeventhasnearly20membersrepresentinggroupsfromacrossNewYorkStateandfromCanada,PittsburghandBoston.

“ThiscollaborationwillgreatlyenhancetheexposureandopportunityforinvestmentandgrowthofUpstateNewYork’sgreatearly-stagetechnologycompanies,”saidF.MichaelTucker,presidentandCEOofCEG.

“KnowingthatallnetnewjobgrowthintheU.S.inthepast30yearshascomefromcompanieslessthanfiveyearsold,wearecollaboratingtoacceleratenew,high-growthbusinessesthroughequityfunding,”saidMarnieLaVigne,directorofbusi-nessdevelopmentfortheUniversityatBuffalo’sNewYorkStateCenterofExcellenceinBioinformaticsandLifeSciences,akeypartnerintheBrightBuffaloNiagarainitiativethatrunstheBrightForum.

“WehaveincrediblyrichinvestmentopportunitiesinUpstateNewYork,whichhasn’ttraditionallybeenontheradarformostinvestors,”LaVignesaid.“Byjoiningforcesin2012,ourregionalorganizationsarebringingtremendousfocustobuild-ingfundingrelationshipsthatarekeytogrowingourhigh-tech,high-potentialstart-upsandearlystagefirms.”

CEG’sSmartStartUNYTECH,nowinits12thyear,hashighlighted255high-qualitycompaniesthathaveraisedover$500mil-lioninequityfinancing,includingover$72milliondirectlyattributabletotheirparticipationintheforum.Addingtothatsuc-cessrecord,Ener-G-RotorsInc.,a2011companypresenteratSmartStartUNYTECH,recentlyannouncedreceivinga$150kinvestmentfromtheEasternNYAngelsgroup–manymembersofwhichwereinattendancefortheirpresentationatthe2011ventureforum.

Theforumshowcasesearly-stagecompanies,includingspin-outsfrommorethanadozenuniversitieswhopartnerontech-nologytransferthroughUNYTECH.UNYTECH,theUpstateNewYorkTechnologyGroup,isacollaborativeeffortbetweenhighereducation,industryandeconomicdevelopmentagenciestocommercializeuniversityresearch.

“Avitalpartofcommercializinguniversitytechnologiesismakingthem‘shovel-ready’forinvestorswhocantaketheseop-portunitiestothenextlevel,”saidRobertGenco,chairofUNYTECHanddirectorofUB’sOfficeofScience,TechnologyTrans-ferandEconomicOutreach.“Showcasingtheseopportunities,gettingthemfundedandgrowingtechnology-richcompaniesisanimportantsteptowardreinvigoratingtheupstateeconomy.”

TheBrightForumisrunbyBrightBuffaloNiagara,acommunity-drivenhigh-techinitiativeledbyUB’sCenterofExcellenceinconcertwithmorethanadozenregionalorganizers.

TheBrightForumevent,nowinitsfourthyear,attractshundredsofparticipantsannually.Itfeaturesafulldayofpresenta-tionsbyentrepreneursinhigh-techsectorsfromacrossNewYorkStateandCanada.In2011,morethan50firmsappliedtopresent.Ofthose,16wereselectedtogive

Popular Upstate New York Investor Forums to Host Joint Event in Buffalo Niagara 2012

CEG’s SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum will partner with Bright Buffalo Niagara to deliver a two-day forum connecting investors with entrepreneurs

November16,2011



Additional 2012 Media Coverage

How one local startup approached Buffalo’s Venture Forum

ByDanielRobinson,WBFOPublished:Thursday,May24,2012,11:32AMhttp://innovationtrail.org/post/how-one-local-startup-

approached-buffalos-venture-forum

Venture Forum draws 300 to BuffaloByKevinTampone,CentralNewYorkBusinessJournalPublished:Friday,May18,2012,12:07PMhttp://www.cnybj.com/Home/tabid/37/itemid/16515/

sourcemid/415/Venture-Forum-draws-300-to-Buffalo/Default.aspx?returnUrl=%2Fdefault.aspx

Three from Central New York to present at venture capital forum

ByCharlesMcChesney,ThePost-StandardPublished:Wednesday,May16,2012,1:21PM,Updated:

Wednesday,May16,2012,2:01PMhttp://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/three_

from_central_new_york_to.html

Conference to match startups, investors

ByStephenT.Watson,BuffaloNewsPublished:Saturday,May12,2012,12:00AM,Updated:

Saturday,May12,2012,8:45AMhttp://www.buffalonews.com/business/article853263.ece

12 Western New York and 3 Ontario, Canada Companies Selected to Present in Statewide Venture Forum

ByCharlotteHsu,UBNewsCenterPublished:Saturday,May5,2012http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13408

Six Capital Region Companies Selected to Present in Statewide Venture Forum

CenterforEconomicGrowthPublished:Thursday,May3,2012http://www.ceg.org/news/six-capital-region-companies-

selected-to-present-in-statewide-venture-forum/

In Western New York, an Improving Climate for High-Tech Investment

ByCharlotteHsu,UBNewsCenterPublished:Tuesday,April24,2012http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13380

one-minutepitchestoinvestorsand12werechosentodeliverlonger,10-minutepresentations.

The2009BrightForumluncheonkeynotepresenter,JumpStartInc.,partneredwitheconomicdevelopmentleadersinWest-ernandCentralNewYorkin2010tosecure$445,000infederalfundingfromtheU.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministra-tiontotransformentrepreneurshipinUpstateNewYorkintoasignificantengineforregionaleconomicgrowth.

ThejointSmartStartUNYTECHandBrightForumin2012willcombinethestrengthsofbotheventstoexpandtheinvestorandcompanyparticipationstatewideandbeyond.

Eachstrivesnotonlytopromotedeal-making,butalsotostrengthentheregion’sentrepreneurialecosystembyhelpingin-vestors,entrepreneursandcommunityleadersestablishtrustandlong-termrelationships.

May 16-17, 2012 - Buffalo, NY 2012...

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