2008 SmartStart & UNYTECH Venture Forum Seeks New York State Entrepreneurs
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2008
Albany, N.Y. – The 2008 SmartStart & UNYTECH Venture Forum is seeking venture-ready companies and early-stage university start-ups from across New York state to present to potential investors at an event held May 13 through 14 in Rochester, N.Y.
Presenting companies will have the opportunity to pitch their business plans to a diverse cross section of the investment community, spanning venture capitalfunds, seed investment funds, angel groups and other public and private investors. Application materials are available at www.smartstartvf.com, and thedeadline to apply is March 28.
Now in its eighth year, SmartStart UNYTECH has to date highlighted 140 high-quality companies from throughout the state and beyond to the venture community, and their success speaks the quality of deal flow. Of these 140 companies, 52 have raised more than $330 million in equity financing, including more than $58 million directly attributable to their participation in the forum.
In 2007, SmartStart was merged with UNYTECH, the Upstate University forum highlighting early-stage university spin-outs. The Albany-based Center for Economic Growth (CEG) manages the SmartStart & UNYTECH Venture Forum in partnership with the University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) and with the generous support and assistance from each region’s technology and entrepreneurship communities across the state.
Sponsorships for supporting this event are available at the levels further described on the Web site. Committed sponsors for this year’s event include: Albany Law School, FA Technology Ventures, Fenimore Asset Management, Greenhill SAVP, Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti, Hodgson Russ LLP, Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), Pam Silverstein Associates, Phillips Lytle LLP, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Source One Network and Upstate Venture Association of New York (UVANY).
About the Center for Economic Growth:The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is a regional economic and business development organization dedicated to attracting high-tech talent and companies and to providing innovative services to bolster local businesses in New York state's Capital Region and Tech Valley. CEG receives significant financial support from the NYS Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), a public benefit corporation that helps grow New York’s innovation economy with its support of high technology development and commercialization through academic and business partnerships, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). CEG serves as NYSTAR’s designated Regional Technology Development Center for Tech Valley, one of nearly 350 MEP locations across the country assisting local manufacturing and technology companies with generating new sales, creating stronger operational infrastructure and overcoming barriers to growth. CEG is based in Albany, N.Y. Visit www.ceg.org for more information. -30-
