Venture Capital Investing Conference
Organizer: International Business Forum
Dates: June 11-12, 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Summary: The single most important source in the U.S. economy for new wealth and job creation is venture capital. This is the driving force behind new company formation, innovative business models, and entrepreneurial development. However, between economic uncertainty, a decade worth of significant industry consolidation, fundraising hurdles and liquidity challenges, the venture community has been presented with more than their fair share of difficulties to support start-up growth. Even with the emergence of angel investors, corporate partnerships and global avenues of deal flow, the community responsible for developing high-risk, high-technology businesses is at a crossroads.
Despite these obstacles, VC investors are remaining optimistic. Fueled by best of breed industry contraction and new initiatives including the JOBS act, venture fund managers now have improved paths of deal flow, appropriate measurement of valuations, alternative routes to access capital, and a realistic runway for exits (including increased M&A). Goalposts have been moved and accurate milestones have been set, resulting in an opportunity to raise LP confidence and maximize performance.
Venture capital is in a vortex and now more than ever, needs to regroup as a whole to share key investment strategies, new ways to optimize exits, offer creative fundraising approaches, and expand upon winning GP/LP partnership models.
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