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RCGAction
The Monthly Newsletter
and Planning Calendar of the St. Louis RCGA
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InvestMidwest
Introduces Country’s Leading Venture Capitalists to Region’s Emerging
Companies
Regional entrepreneurs seeking venture capital to fuel their companies
will showcase their innovative products and technologies to the
country’s leading venture capitalists at the Third Annual InvestMidwest
Venture Capital Forum to take place at The Ritz-Carlton, May 20
- 21. The forum, designed to provide access to capital for emerging,
privately held companies and to promote entrepreneurism and business
growth in the Midwest, will select approximately 20 companies to
present before an estimated 200 to 500 venture capitalists, investors,
bankers, accounting and legal professionals.
“The Midwest, which is known for its business values and strong
work ethic, provides venture capitalists with sound economic opportunities
from high-quality, up-and-coming companies,” says Joseph L. Driskill,
director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “I
believe that the exciting developments in Missouri’s rapidly growing
life sciences industry hold enormous potential for future entrepreneurial
opportunities.”
The presenting companies must undergo a rigorous application and
screening process. This process includes a review of several key
factors including the company’s management team, marketing strategy,
the proprietary nature of their products or services, market opportunity
and financials. In the past, the companies have represented various
industries—including biotechnology and life sciences, retail, software
development and e-commerce.
“InvestMidwest is becoming the premier VC event in the Midwest,”
says Tracy Taylor, president of Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation
(KTEC). “Investors are taking notice of our region. We’ve had a
great sampling of high-growth companies, and this year will be no
exception.”
Once selected, companies receive coaching on presentation training
and business plan development from the panel of attorneys, accountants,
venture capitalists, and investment bankers to help them secure
financial support. And, these efforts have paid off.
“During the first two years of InvestMidwest, presenting companies
have generated more than $40 million in financing,” notes Christine
Walsh, executive director. “Even companies not immediately reaping
the forum’s financial benefits leave the event with a polished presentation,
which will help them pursue future opportunities.”
The forum will begin with a reception on Monday evening, May 20.
The selected companies will give their 10-minute presentations to
potential investors on Tuesday, May 21 throughout the morning and
afternoon. Early Tuesday evening, the forum will close with a cocktail
reception. Further, Richard Tavener will broadcast his popular webcast
and national radio show, Entrepreneurs! Living the American Dream,
live from the event.
Driskill adds, “This forum is a great way to showcase Missouri’s
promising companies and attract new investment money to the state.”
For more information, visit the event’s website at www.investmidwestforum.com.
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