Technology Ventures Summit Provides Training & Showcase of Promising Oklahoma Technology Companies

Next week's Technology Ventures Summit will showcase the state's top commercial technology and offer training to both angel investors and entrepreneurs.

The two-day networking event, scheduled for February 15-16, 2011 at the Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown, will feature concurrent one-day workshops providing practical advice and training for entrepreneurs and angel investors. The second day will include presentations by a dozen Oklahoma start-ups to venture capital and angel investors.

The 12 emerging companies represent a variety of sectors including clean-technology, safety and security, biotechnology, energy, software and internet applications among others.

"The aim of the Summit is twofold, Sauzek said. "We plan to give the stage to some of Oklahoma's best new entrepreneurs and provide specialized training for companies wanting to learn how to prepare for raising equity capital."

Keynote speaker is Dr. Scott Rollins, President and CEO of Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation -discussing the fundamentals of a new company start-up, including financing, and the process of moving intellectual property to the market place.

Conference registration is online at: www.ocib.org/tvs. or by phone at 405-848-9456.

Host sponsor is the Tulsa Metro Chamber. Mike Neal, president and CEO said, "We are excited to participate in this event as the Chamber continues to focus on fostering entrepreneurs and start-ups in our region. Innovation and small business are critical to our regional economy."

"Oklahoma has a significant and growing entrepreneurial talent pool and the Technology Ventures Summit provides an opportunity to showcase that talent to investors so these ideas and technologies can make it in the marketplace," said Devon Sauzek, president of the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board, founding sponsor of the event. "It's all about growing the culture of entrepreneurship across our state."

Conference workshops include:

"Swing for the Fences – Seed Investing Skills for Entrepreneurs"
(For Entrepreneurs)

The workshop, designed by leading seed investors, will reveal the process investors use as they consider where to put their money, providing entrepreneurs with an insiders' view of how their potential investors think and work.
"Seed Investing as a Team Sport"
(For Angel Investors)

An energetic seminar targeted to new and potential angel investors. The seminar will help participants expand their understanding of business investing, provide a how-to plan for local angel group formation and provide tools to help optimize investment dollars. It will include a comprehensive overview of the angel investing process with additional content from investors from across the country.

Day Two of the conference (February 16) will allow venture capital and angel investors a chance to hear presentations from some of Oklahoma's leading technology startups.

Major sponsors include the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board, Metro Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Supporting sponsors include, Bank of Oklahoma, OCAST, Acorn Growth Companies, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Cimarron Capital Partners, Oklahoma Life Sciences Fund, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Enid Regional Development Alliance, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Trailblazer Capital and Davis Tuttle Venture Partners.

Key marketing partners include: Oklahoma Department of Commerce, i2E, Tulsa Young Professionals, Development Capital Networks, Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers; The Collaboratorium, U.S. Small Business Administration, The State Chamber, TechComm and WBT Innovation Marketplace.