CapVenture
Program Overview
CapVenture is a unique training program that will educate and equip early stage (typically those seeking their first institutional round of financing) CEO’s and executives for smarter and more productive capitalization of their business.
Through participation in this program, companies will:
- Gain valuable practical knowledge about the various forms of capital available to early-stage technology companies.
- Sharpen the participating company’s business and financing strategy to increase the probability of successful capitalization.
- Assess their companies’ fit with various forms of capital.
- Gain practical tips on the process of capital raising that will increase their odds of success and limit unproductive activities.
- Gain peer and mentor relationships to facilitate valuable connections for their businesses.
- Provide prepared participants an opportunity to meet investors. Last year’s forum led to requests for 59 meetings by investors.
- The top CapVenture companies will have an additional opportunity to present to dozens of investors through an automatic slot during the ATDC/VentureLab early-stage forum at Venture Atlanta.
Curriculum
- Capital overview
- Angel investors and venture capitalists- investment criteria and how to successfully target investors
- Evaluating your business
- Determining your financing needs
- Fundraising strategy development and assessment
- Fundraising preparation
- Three minute pitch and review
- Executive summary review
- Practice investor pitches
Facilitators and Expert Speakers
- Roberto Casas, assistant director and manager GRA VentureLav
- Paul Freet, startup catalyst
- Mary Leary, startup catalyst, ATDC
- Charles Ross, associate manager, ATDC
- David Sung, startup catalyst and seed fund manager, ATDC
- Lance Weatherby, startup catalyst, ATDC
- Matt Yung, startup volunteer
Coaches
- Mike Eckert, Former CEO Weather Channel, Pathfire
- Jamie Bardin, Former CEO of EZPrints
- Mark Van Bruiniesse, President Purewire
- Doug Hadaway, CFO MFG.com
- Jeff McConnell, Capital Lounge/Angel Lounge
- Mark Morel, CEO Whoop Mobile
- Blake Patton, Former CEO Ikobo
- Karen Robinson, Former CEO of Primepoint Media
- Gordon Rogers, Managing Director at Vernon Bridge Ventures, Founder of Connect2Books.org
- Lou Schwartz, CEO Multicast Media
- Ron Verni, Former CEO Sage Software
- Steve Bachman, CEO Partner, Hi Tech Partners
- Ralph Bowlin, President, Pelican Financial LLC
Participating Company Testimonials
"The CapVenture course was phenomenal for me and my company, and a catalyst to get us to where we are now. CapVenture really started a great momemtum for our company and was highly instrumental in our successful closing of a $1.8 Millon seed angel round. Our CapVenture coach, Mike Eckert, is an invaluable advisor and now angel investor to our company." "We are delighted that ATDC has welcomed SoloHealth into its prestigious ranks. Being affiliated with this program offers SoloHealth a treasure of collective experience and leadership that we can draw from as we take our business to the next level."
-Bart Foster, Founder & CEO, SoloHealth
"Nimbus Software benefited from participating in the CapVenture program. The program gave us the opportunity to focus on our business and validate and challenge our assumptions of value. We are actively involved in a pre-Series A round and are thankful for the advanced input we received on the process through the CapVenture program."
-Jason Brewster, Co-Founder & CEO, Nimbus Software
2008 Participating Companies
- Arterian Medical
- Cloud Sherpas
- Event Seek
- GadZeus
- Gotham PC
- InterCAX
- LocalPrice.com
- ProperNotice
- Purewire
- Queuent
- Radiance Energies
- Renovo Data
- Servinity
- WORKbits
Schedule
| Date | Time | Topic | Location |
| Tuesday, August 25th | 6-9pm | Today’s Fundraising Environment | Hodges Room |
| Tuesday, September 1st | 6-9pm | Pitching Best Practices | Hodges Room |
| Tuesday, September 15th | 6-9pm | Pitching Workshop/ Term Sheet "What you should know" | Hodges Room |
| Tuesday, September 22nd | 6-9pm | Mini "Startup Riot" Practice ( 2+ hrs) | Hodges Room |
| Tuesday, September 29th | 6-9pm | Finals and Graduation Celebration (2hrs+) | TSRB |
Logistics
Location: Centergy One Building, Wayne Hodges Room (335), 75 5th Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-1019
Click here for map and directions
Dates and Times: Sessions will be held on Monday or Tuesday evenings and begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and will end by 9:30 p.m.. Sessions will run from August 25th to September 29th.
Participation Fees
Primary Participant Fees: TAG Members: $399 Non- Members: $499
Secondary Participant Fees: TAG Members: $299 Non-Members: $399
Program fees include: participation, coaching, course materials, refreshments, dinner, and graduation reception (with investors). Registration and payment information will be sent to applicants upon acceptance.