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This year the Global Technology Symposium will be hosting a start-up pitch competition for early stage companies looking for professional financing from sophisticated investors. The presentation provides companies with a chance to pitch their business ideas and receive valuable feedback from a panel comprised of successful venture capitalists from all over the globe.
We invite qualified technology start-ups to submit one business summary for consideration. A selection committee comprised of professional investors, including Draper Fisher Jurvetson, entrepreneurs, and executives from corporate technology giants, such as Microsoft, will select the top 7 pitches to present during the Symposium. At that time, a panel of distinguished judges will evaluate and select the best pitch.
The winning company will be presented with an official 2009 Global Technology Symposium Winner’s Certificate, and will benefit from press exposure associated with the Symposium. Past recipients have received invitations to pitch directly to prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalists.
Evaluation Criteria:
Each company pitch will be judged on standard early stage venture deal criteria including market opportunity, product/technology/intellectual property, business model, marketing and distribution strategy, and financing.
Presentation Format:
Each company will be allotted a maximum of 11 minutes to present its company pitch. Allow a few minutes at the end for Q&A from our panel of judges. Our judges will rank each company based on standard deal criteria, deliberate amongst themselves, and announce the winner. Presenters should count on receiving valuable feedback.
Benefits of participating in the Symposium Pitch Competition include:
- Expert feedback on your company pitch. Our judges will provide you with valuable techniques in preparing your business pitch to ensure you are reaching potential investors with your most powerful message.
- Response to questions on your business plan and value proposition. Our audience members will include top Silicon Valley VCs, angels and entrepreneurs who have been through the process. Following your presentation, they will ask you precise questions about your business plan, business model, and value proposition, preparing you for future investor presentations.
- A room full of experienced and interested investors. This is a great opportunity for networking and exposure for your business that can help get you meetings with potential investors. In past years, our presenting companies have used this as a robust launching pad for completing successful rounds.
- Recruiting. The audience and the Symposium host the top global entrepreneurial talent. If you have an idea they can get excited about, your company will have access to top talent!
How and What to Submit:
Please email your PowerPoint presentations (10-20 slides) to [email protected]. The email subject heading should read “PITCH COMPETITION – [COMPANY NAME]” Please time these, since points are awarded for tight, comprehensive, well-delivered presentations, and there will be a timekeeper monitoring the presentations.
The body of the email should have all relevant contact information. For consideration, all entries must be submitted no later than Mar. 1st, 2009.
All companies that apply will receive ONE complimentary pass to the entire 3-day event – a $795 value. This will provide the opportunity to network with top global investors, entrepreneurs and advisors, a “not-to-be-missed opportunity.
Please note that all details concerning date, time, and location are subject to change. All participants will be notified of such changes in advance.
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