Making Connections on Many Levels

Amar V. Kapur '65

There are so many ways to connect and learn at the WPI Venture Forum. We continue to deliver dynamic presentations to our members. Our outstanding presenter on negotiations, Tom Finneran, raised the bar for 2006. This next meeting's session on crafting the elevator pitch should prove equally instructive. We will close out the season with highly anticipated meetings focused on marketing and leadership. At every meeting, I am pleased to see a talented and astute panel of experts assembled to evaluate business plan cases, followed by active audience participation.

People also come to meetings to learn from others. Our diverse audience of entrepreneurs, CEOs, experienced management consultants, venture capitalists, angel investors and academic representatives gives an exciting dimension to the WPI Venture Forum networking break sessions. The free flow of ideas and trading stories from the entrepreneurial trenches is the hallmark of our sessions.

We anticipate a surge in participants for this year's Business Plan Contest. Now is the time to begin to prepare your business plan entry. Expect to face some very good competition. The prize should make your efforts worthwhile.

Another learning opportunity will be at an April breakfast event featuring a prominent local CEO. Stay tuned for more information on what is likely to draw a full house. If you are interested in sponsoring a WPI Venture Forum event, contact Gina Betti for the details. She can be reached at 508.831.5761 or by email at gbetti@wpi.edu.

Don't keep membership in the WPI Venture Forum to yourself. I urge our members to spread the word and invite your friends to become members of the WPI Venture Forum, so they too can benefit from our events and networking. Fill out the questionnaire forms provided at each meeting and make suggestions. Your ideas enable our program and marketing committee and board members to keep bringing you programs that you want.

Six months into our program year, we've made great progress. Together, let's make 2006 a banner year.

Sincerely,

Amar V. Kapur '65, M.S. '69
Chairman, WPI Venture Forum
President, Aimtek