Monthly Program - April 13, 2010
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Campus Center - Odeum Room
Networking: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free for $125 members and college students
$15 - $50 members/WPI alumni | $30 - general public
Free pizza and refreshments
Pre-registration (non-member: pay online before 1p.m. for nametag)
Free Parking
Find Financing, Retain Full Ownership
Most entrepreneurs need financing to launch their great idea into the marketplace, but don't want to hand over a percentage of their new company in exchange for funding. Non-equity financing is possible in today's challenging marketplace, as three experts explain alternative avenues to funding at the April 13 WPI Venture Forum meeting.
John Hession, partner with Cooley Godward Kronish, will discuss case studies that demonstrate the value of strategic partnerships for start-ups, Natalie Rudolph, PhD, of Rudolph Biomedical Consulting, will explore federal research funding options through the SBIR and STTR programs, and Luis Miguel Barros, senior vice president with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), will describe opportunities to apply for the state's Accelerator Program for early-stage companies. A facilitated audience question and answer session will follow their presentations.
John Hession, Partner
Cooley Godward Kronish
John Hession has worked with both start-up and later-stage companies in the medical device, life sciences, software and digital media fields, as well as venture capital and angel funds in these areas, as partner in the firm's venture capital financing and emerging companies practice groups. He helped to open Cooley's Boston office in 2007. Previously, he was a lead attorney for more than 20 years with Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP, representing venture-backed technology companies at all stages of financing. Listed in Best Lawyers in America in 2009, he was also named to the Super Lawyers list, and has taught at Boston College Law School and Boston University Law School. He earned his JD degree cum laude from Boston College and his BA degree summa cum laude from University of Notre Dame.
Natalie Rudolph, PhD
Rudolph Biomedical Consulting
Natalie Rudolph, PhD provides consulting services to small biomedical companies and research institutions to identify government grant funding opportunities, plan research and development projects, write grant and contract proposals, and coach scientists on the grant application process. She has more than 20 years of experience in the biomedical/biotechnology industry and has helped raise more than $22 million in non-dilutive grant funding. Her most recent corporate position was director of scientific development at TSI Corporation (formerly Transgenic Sciences, Inc.) in Worcester. Rudolph earned a BS degree from Rutgers University and a doctorate in genetics from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), and has held post-doctoral research positions at the University of Rochester and Harvard Medical School.
Luis Miguel Barros
MLSC
Luis Miguel Barros serves as the Senior Vice President of Investments and Industry Development for MLSC, part of the team responsible for implementing Massachusetts' ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. Signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in June of 2008, this economic development program was established to strengthen Massachusetts as a global leader in life sciences research, innovation, commercialization and employment. Barros has more than 20 years of experience in the life sciences and healthcare technology industries, including I.C. Sciences Corp., Lilly Ventures, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and management positions with two businesses subsequently acquired by publicly-traded companies. He holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management, a BBA as a W.E.B. DuBois Scholar from UMass Amherst's Isenberg School, and he completed the Harvard Business School Corporate Governance and Board Leadership Program.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: March 16, 2010 15:35:02