The RESURGENCE & REJUVENATION of Venture Capital!

We begin the second decade of the 21st century at an unprecedented time for the United States. Despite recent economic conditions, the VC industry is now presented with a unique opportunity to change the game. Through realistic fundraising benchmarks and newfound strategies to achieve required milestones which accelerate portfolio company growth, we can continue to serve our LPs and entrepreneurs, thus preserving the U.S.’s position as a global innovation leader.

Now more than ever, our community must gather to redefine the VC model and identify the critical issues impacting our industry. The venture capital industry is a crown jewel in the U.S. economy and we must reinforce our country’s leadership position in driving innovation, job growth and fostering entrepreneurship. It is also imperative that we understand and utilize the latest, best practices on nurturing start-up company growth.

As we celebrate the 21st Annual celebration of the IBF Venture Capital Investing Conference, June 9-10 at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco, CA, myself and other leading industry VC experts will unite to outline the models for success that have worked for our industry in past decades, as well as provide leadership insight on how to optimize company creation and building processes during challenging times, such as in the past few years.

Conference topics include:

THE TIMES …THEY ARE A CHANGING! THE RESURRECTION OF VENTURE CAPITAL
Why 2010 marks the beginning of a new era for startups and the venture capitalist. The classic Silicon Valley model for VC investments has been severely disrupted and this altered landscape now requires GPs to adjust their fund initiatives and design a new investment strategy. How has the industry reacted to such change, and what opportunities now lay ahead for this community?

WALKING A TIGHTROPE: BALANCING THE NEW GP/LP PARADIGM
The most profound impact of the recent global, financial crisis the venture industry has had to face is the reduction of capital to the VC asset class. With LPs forced to reevaluate their asset allocation approach, the VC industry must adhere to the new rules and regulations presented by the institutional investor partner. This panel will examine different LP/GP investment structures, strategic and tactical asset allocation, and global investment strategies.

ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: LP REACTIONS TO THE NEXT-GEN FUND MANAGERS
As weak fund performance from the last decade finally forces LPs to question historic allocations to “franchise funds”, how will LPs react to the newly consolidated, transformed venture industry? How will today’s institutional investors ensure the ability to access the next generation of star VC performers?

SOAKING UP THE SUN! CLEANTECH’S MOMENT TO SHINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
After years of intrigue and speculation, not to mention tens to several hundred million dollars invested, several energy technology companies finally lift the curtain and introduce themselves to the world. For VCs committed to this space, this is their time to shine and offer successful investment approaches for this sector.

THE RENAISSANCE OF M&A: EXIT STRATEGIES AFTER A SLOWED ECONOMY
M&A has continued to provide a lifeline in tough times. During a time when the economy and tech IPOs were struggling, M&A offered exit opportunities as a safer and less expensive strategy. The landscape for M&A is strengthening rapidly, as today’s venture investors leverage the global marketplace. At the same time, the domestic market for venture-backed IPO’s is opening again after several desultory years.

BUILDING BRIDGES: DEVELOPING ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
Within the broad topic of supporting innovation, financing commercialization stands out as a special issue. As VCs begin to build bridges with investment banking and accounting firms to help develop programs more relevant to small cap companies, there appears to be a newfound strengthening of the VC ecosystem to widen exit opportunities and enhance liquidity paths. This panel will examine what is currently being done to preserve continued global leadership and allow for high growth, innovative companies to successful exit.

EARLY STAGE EVOLUTION: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO FUNDING TOMORROW’S ENTREPRENEURS
Facing industry consolidation and possible new challenges presented by Washington, traditional early stage VCs must determine if this is the time to be contrarian and support new ventures, and if so, identify sectors and geographies offering new opportunities for growth and expansion. This panel will address the current dynamics of early stage investing, identify hot new markets and big ideas, and how to capitalize on them in the current environment.

I look forward to greeting you at the conference in June.

Sincerely,
 

Dixon Doll
Co-Founder & General Partner         Top