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CapVenture

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Early application deadline June 19th ($50 off per company if accepted); final deadline July 15th.


Program Overview

CapVenture is a unique training program that will educate and equip early stage (typically those seeking their first institutional round of financing) CEO's and executives for smarter and more productive capitalization of their business.

Through participation in this program, companies will:

  • Gain valuable practical knowledge about the various forms of capital available to early-stage technology companies.
  • Sharpen the participating company's business and financing strategy to increase the probability of successful capitalization.
  • Assess their companies' fit with various forms of capital.
  • Gain practical tips on the process of capital raising that will increase their odds of success and limit unproductive activities.
  • Gain peer and mentor relationships to facilitate valuable connections for their businesses.
  • Provide prepared participants an opportunity to meet investors. Last year's forum led to requests for 59 meetings by investors.
  • The top CapVenture companies will have an additional opportunity to present to dozens of investors through an automatic slot during the ATDC/VentureLab early-stage forum at Venture Atlanta.

Curriculum

  • Capital overview
  • Angel investors and venture capitalists- investment criteria and how to successfully target investors
  • Evaluating your business
  • Determining your financing needs
  • Fundraising strategy development and assessment
  • Fundraising preparation
  • "Elevator pitch" exercise and review
  • Executive summary review
  • Investor communications workshop
  • Practice investor pitches

Facilitators and Expert Speakers

  • David Sung, Venture Catalyst and Seed Fund Manager, ATDC
  • Cindy Cheatham, Director of Business Development, ATDC
  • Mary Leary, Venture Catalyst, ATDC
  • Charles Ross, Venture Catalyst, ATDC
  • Lance Weatherby, Venture Catalyst, ATDC

Coaches

  • Mike Eckert, Former CEO Weather Channel, Pathfire
  • Jamie Bardin, Former CEO of EZPrints
  • Mark Van Bruiniesse, President Purewire
  • Doug Hadaway, CFO MFG.com
  • Jeff McConnell, Capital Lounge/Angel Lounge
  • Mark Morel, CEO Whoop Mobile
  • Blake Patton, Former CEO Ikobo
  • Karen Robinson, Former CEO of Primepoint Media
  • Gordon Rogers, Managing Director at Vernon Bridge Ventures, Founder of Connect2Books.org
  • Lou Schwartz, CEO Multicast Media
  • Ron Verni, Former CEO Sage Software

Participating Company Testimonials

"The CapVenture course was phenomenal for me and my company, and a catalyst to get us to where we are now. CapVenture really started a great momemtum for our company and was highly instrumental in our successful closing of a $1.8 Millon seed angel round. Our CapVenture coach, Mike Eckert, is an invaluable advisor and now angel investor to our company." "We are delighted that ATDC has welcomed SoloHealth into its prestigious ranks. Being affiliated with this program offers SoloHealth a treasure of collective experience and leadership that we can draw from as we take our business to the next level."
-Bart Foster, Founder & CEO, SoloHealth

"Nimbus Software benefited from participating in the CapVenture program. The program gave us the opportunity to focus on our business and validate and challenge our assumptions of value. We are actively involved in a pre-Series A round and are thankful for the advanced input we received on the process through the CapVenture program."
-Jason Brewster, Co-Founder & CEO, Nimbus Software


2008 Participating Companies


Application Information

All companies that complete this application will receive valuable fundraising materials and an invitation to meet investors at a fundraising workshop.

Early Application Deadline: June 19, 2009 ($50 per company discount for those accepted).

Late Application Deadline: July 15, 2009 (companies will be notified by July 28, 2009).

Evaluation criteria will include:

  • Critical customer pain
  • Unique differentiated solution
  • Relevant team experience
  • Large market size, rapid growth and overall market attractiveness
  • Scalable, profitable business model
  • Compelling participation goals-high motivation to learn and to "work on their business"

At least 10 to 15 companies will be selected to participate. The CEO and up to one additional executive, if critical to fundraising, is eligible to participate from each company (additional fee required for additional executive).


Schedule

Date Topic Location
Tuesday, August 25th Understanding Investors and Assessing your Business  TSRB and Hodges Room
Tuesday, September 1st Communicating with Investors and Closing the Deal  Hodges Room
Tuesday, September 15th Assessing Fundability  Hodges Room
Tuesday, September 22nd Practice Pitches   Hodges Room
Tuesday, September 29th    
Investor Forum and Program Celebration  TSRB



Logistics

Location: Centergy One Building, Wayne Hodges Room (335), 75 5th Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-1019
Click here for map and directions

Dates and Times: Sessions will be held on Monday or Tuesday evenings and begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and will end by 9:30 p.m.. Sessions will run from August 25th to September 29th.


Participation Fees

Primary Participant Fees:
TAG Members: $399Non- Members: $499

Secondary Participant Fees:
TAG Members: $299Non-Members: $399

Program fees include: participation, coaching, course materials, refreshments, dinner, and graduation reception (with investors). Registration and payment information will be sent to applicants upon acceptance.