“Because building a business is not for the faint of heart”

When: 5:00 - 9:00pm, Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Where: Crowne Plaza Cabana | 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | Map and directions. Parking lots are located in front and in rear of the hotel. Additional parking is availabe at the Elks Lodge across from the hotel. All parking is complimentary.

The newest event in the BayBioNEST’s 2005 Nuts and Bolts Workshop Series, VCynic Syndicate will provide participants with an insider perspective on how venture capitalists make their funding decisions, a perspective on what makes a successful business plan and what are the steps to successfully secure funding.

Because the due diligence process is the gatekeeper for funding business plans, The 2005 VCynic Syndicate will begin with a seasoned venture capitalist characterizing a successful due diligence process.

Subsequently three business cases or “deals” will be cross-examined by a syndicate of venture capitalists (or ‘VCynics’). These cases, based on historical, current as well as mock companies, will be blinded of their true identity, so the venture capitalists would have to convince each other of the value of the “deal” without the benefit of knowing the historical outcome.

A commentary on the cases and the companies behind them will be revealed after the cynics and audience vote for the company that they felt best withstood the due diligence process.

NASDAQ, as a sponsor of the event, will present an award to the largest “VCynic” among the syndicate. It is only natural that the award comes from NASDAQ, as both entrepreneurs and venture capitalists need to achieve a liquid financial return, which is usually through a successful acquisition or an IPO.

5:00pm Registration and Networking

6:00pm State of the Markets | John Vitalie, Regional Vice President, The NASDAQ Stock Market.

6:15pm Business Plan Vetting Process Explained | Camille Samuels, Versant Ventures.

6:35pm Business Cases Presented | Dave Martin M.D., founder of EOS, Lynx and Avid Biotics; Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos and Pim Stemmer, founding Scientist of Maxygen and Avidia.

7:35pm The Syndicate Speaks | Camille Samuels, Versant Ventures; Dr. Joel Martin, Forward Ventures;
Dr. Russell Hirsch, Prospect Venture Partners.

8:30pm Historical Retro Fit – Company Identities Revealed | Dr. Cynthia Robbins-Roth, BioVenture Consultants.

8:45pm NASDAQ Award & VCynic Acceptance Speech


Pre-registration for this event is now closed.


This Event is Sponsored by:

Please mail your event-related questions to: events@baybio.org or contact us via phone: 650-871-7101.

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