Angel Academy Series

There are many great programs that teach entrepreneurs how to be successful in raising venture capital – but Angels are not VCs and the same rules and expectations simply don’t apply. The odds of raising angel financing are higher than raising venture capital, and in some instances it may be all the financing you need. If you are looking for tools, resources, and no-nonsense answers on how to improve your chances of raising funds from angel investors, then this course is not to be missed!

Our first Angel Academy Workshop will focus on Three Key Areas:
**Navigating the Angel Landscape
**Founders & Angels Math
**Capturing the Hearts & Dollars of Angels

Please note that space is extremely limited and only 35 entrepreneurs will be admitted per program.

Date: Thursday, September 9th 2010
Time: 4:00PM-6:30PM
Location: Silicon Valley Bank
2400 Hanover Street, Palo Alto
Cost: $35
Register online at angelseries.eventbrite.com

Program Specifics:

Who’s On Base? Navigating the Angel Landscape
Speaker Nicola Corzine
There are numerous angel groups and independent angels that are actively looking for deals but understanding who to apply to and when, can make all the difference in the world. This session will concentrate on providing you with the current landscape of angel groups, what they’re looking for, how to apply and what to do to improve your chances.

Why Smaller is Beautiful: Founder’s & Angels Math – A New Model of Entrepreneurship
Speaker Mike Bates
Think that the path to success & fortune is paved in multiple rounds of venture financing? Well perhaps its time to think again. We invite you to examine a new model of entrepreneurship where the path to a successful exit is defined early and rigorously by both founders and investors. The ‘Early Exit’ is a recent strategy that is resonating with angels across the country. Find out why this may be more synergistic with your early investors and what this means to you as an entrepreneur.

Capturing the Hearts & Dollars of Angel Groups & Their Members
Angel Panel: Carol Sands, Art Reidel, and Don Lee
Moderator: Jim Chapman
You have 10 minutes to present. You need a lead. You have to syndicate the round – These are just a few of the obstacles that you’ll need to overcome. If you think that raising money from angel groups is the right strategy for your company, then you need to understand how the process works. Find out from our panel of experts exactly what it takes to successful in raising angel financing and how to keep your angels happy once they’ve written the check!

About the Program: In the first ½ of 2009, VCs invested $661M into 101 startup companies across the US. During that same time period, 24,500 startups received $9.1B in funding from angels. Angels represent an extremely important part of the funding ecosystem that can provide much needed capital and mentorship to startups. 10 years ago, the angel world was a closed community - known only to those with an inside pass, however that time has passed and many of the closed doors are now wide open for business. The purpose of this quarterly workshop series is to enable entrepreneurs to dispel myths from reality and clearly understand the path to succeeding in raising angel capital.

About our Partners:

Foley & Lardner is a business law firm of 1000 lawyers in 22 offices throughout the world. We represent companies from start-up to Fortune 100 stage including Hewlett Packard, Raytheon, Nokia, Stanford Hospital, and Wells Fargo among others. A recent survey by BTI ranked Foley as the number one law firm in the US for client service. Among large national law firms, Foley, with over 250 IP lawyers, has one of the best intellectual property law practices in the country. We are also a leader in the use of technology including a state-of-the-art budget management tool and our matchmaker software. Our Silicon Valley Office represents start-up and emerging companies that are looking to rapidly expand domestically and internationally and the venture capital firms, angels and private equity groups that invest in them.

It takes more than a great idea to launch a new technology or life science business. It takes the expertise, connections and guidance only an insider with years of industry experience can offer.

SVB has been at the forefront of the technology and life sciences industry since 1983, helping entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next stage. Whether it's getting a better understanding of the current funding environment, learning about networking opportunities that can help you connect with investors and other entrepreneurs, or accelerating your business through flexible financing solutions, you can count on SVB for the knowledge and support you need to succeed.