At Foley's Emerging Technologies Conference, we shared the latest strategies and techniques to position your company for growth through a combination of panel discussions and highly interactive breakout sessions with business experts and successful entrepreneurs. We provided a current picture of the state of venture capital and alternative sources of financing to fund growth, acquisitions, and international expansion from both the investor and company perspectives. We shared how other companies are successfully facilitating growth by solidifying corporate management teams at different phases of the growth cycle, cultivating strategic partnerships, and protecting and monetizing intellectual property.

The conference explored important issues facing emerging technology companies today, and was aimed at entrepreneurs, executives of start-up companies, managers responsible for growing technology businesses, and investors in and advisers to technology companies.

For more information, please contact Cheryl Winkowski at cwinkowski@foley.com or 312.832.5115.

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Foley Partner Susan Pravda Opens the 2008 Emerging Technologies Conference in Boston
Susan Pravda, Foley Partner and Chair of the Emerging Technologies Industry Team, kicked off the conference with a few opening remarks. She shared the results of the Emerging Companies survey conducted by Foley on the current trends in the emerging technology sector. SESSION MATERIALS Presentation View Opening Remarks
Growth Outlook: The Investor's Perspective
This panel, moderated by Foley Partner and Chair of the Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice, Gabor Garai, along with panelists Mike Iannelli of Lincoln International LLC, David Lamere of BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and John Simon of General Catalyst Partners focused on the current investment environment, industries, and sectors currently receiving the most financing as well as the prospects for companies that fall outside the recognized “hot” sectors. SESSION MATERIALS View Session
Financing for Growth in Middle and Late Stage Companies
Moderator Jarvis Kellogg, Foley Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice Partner, and other distinguished panelists including Michael J. Skok of North Bridge Venture Partners, Diane Woolf of Covington Associates, and Gwill York of Lighthouse Capital Partners discussed traditional and non-traditional means of financing growth. Topics included traditional venture capital, private equity and public financing, state-of-the-art transaction structure as well as reverse mergers, SPACs, and venture debt. SESSION MATERIALS View Session
Growth Industry: Medical Devices
Susan Pravda, Foley Partner and Chair of the Emerging Technologies Industry Team, along with panelists Ben Dunn of Covington Associates, Sam Chawla of Credit Suisse, Jon Lemelman of Riverside Partners, LLC, and Bill McPhee of Health Advances LLC, discussed the current state of the medical devices industry and opportunities for growth in this emerging tech sector. SESSION MATERIALS Listen to Session
Executive Growth Strategies
Beth Felder, Foley Partner and member of the firm’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice and Emerging Technologies Industry Team, and experienced panelists Jodie Emergy of Conley & Company, Edward H. Pendergast of Pendergast & Company, and David Perkins of S.H. Smith Insurance Agency of Massachusetts discussed strategies for attracting, managing, and retaining your management team in a down market.
International Expansion
Sven Riethmueller, Of Counsel for Foley, moderated this panel discussion along with panelists Keith Cooper of Carbonite, Martin Hanssmann of Millennial Net, Thomas Lee of BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Gary Nelson of Viaflo Corporation, and Dr. Markus Schill of vrMagic GmbH. The discussion focused on strategies for growth outside the United States. Topics included the creation of new distribution channels, outsourced manufacturing, in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities as well as how to access capital markets in foreign jurisdictions. SESSION MATERIALS Listen to Session
Financing for Growth in Start Up and Early Stage Companies
Moderator Beth Felder, Foley Partner and member of the firm’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice and Emerging Technologies Industry Team, and distinguished panelists Liam Donohue of .406 Ventures, Roger Krakoff of Sigma Partners, Chris Sheehan of Common Angels, and Steve (Zam) Zamierowski of Deloitte’s Tech-Venture Center, discussed various means of financing growth for start-up and emerging technology companies. Topics included sources of equity financing, both venture capital and angel investment, venture debt financing and other alternative financing sources as well as effective strategies for obtaining financing at the early stage and state-of-the-art transaction structures. SESSION MATERIALS View Session
Buying or Selling a Company in a Down Market
Foley Partner and Chair of the Emerging Technologies Industry Team, Susan Pravda, led panelists Rob Adler of WordStream, Mohamad Ali of IBM Software Group, and Dennis Rourke of America’s Growth Capital in a discussion on the state of the market today, how to be the best buyer or seller in today's economy, target valuations, and changes in transaction terms such as earn-outs and purchase price adjustments. SESSION MATERIALS Listen to Session
Growing Your Business Through Joint Ventures, IP Acquisitions and Outsourcing
Foley Partner John Garvey, member of the Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Practice and the Life Sciences and Nanotechnology Industry Teams, moderated a discussion with panelists Matt Karlyn, Foley Associate, and John Polizzi, CIO of BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Inc. on enabling growth through joint ventures, IP and outsourcing. The panel also discussed how you can take advantage of your key assets and critical business functions during economic uncertainty.
Growth Industry: Clean Tech – Clean, Green, and Alternative Energy
Dave Kantaros, Foley Partner and member of the Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice and Emerging Companies Industry Team, moderated a discussion along with Eric Emmons of Siemens Venture Capital, Andrew Friendly of Advanced Technology Ventures, and Bart Wolman of Amelio Solar on the future of alternative energy. Which technology is likely to prevail? Or, are they all a part of the solution? SESSION MATERIALS Listen to Session
Growth Outlook: The Company’s Perspective
Growing your company in a down market can be a daunting task. Foley Private Equity & Venture Capital Partner and vice chair of the firm's Emerging Technologies Industries Team, Paul Broude, led a discussion along with panelists John Coughlin of Advanced Instruments, David Friend of Carbonite, Adi Kahn of Orbotech, and Jamie Simms of Vicor Corporation. The session included real world examples of strategies that have enabled companies to not only persevere, but grow. SESSION MATERIALS View Session