Author: wm-admin

MAKE YOURSELF THE INDUSTRY LEADER ON A SHOESTRING

Jim Ross, President, Concourse Communications, LLC

Concourse Communications is the 2001 BUSINESSWEST company of the year. In a relatively short time, Concourse has
succeeded in making itself the industry leader in placing wireless technology in large-scale public facilities like
airports and subway systems in addition to engineering cell towers.

How does a small company in Springfield become a national industry leader? How does it get recognized by THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL and the trade press as the field leader without spending millions on PR and advertising?

Jim Ross, the person in charge of making Concourse’s image happen, will explain how they have been able to make it to
national prominence on a shoestring. He’ll show Forum participants the strategy and execution steps needed to turn a
local company into a national industry leader.

Automated Holographic Systems, LLC

The business plan presentation at the May session of the Western Massachusetts Venture Forum is Automated Holographic Systems, LLC. Founded in 1999 in Westfield, Massachusetts, this company has used a trade secret replication technology developed by its founders to produce a large size production tools for security and packaging hologram manufacturers. It’s current product has allowed the company to establish relationships of most of the major companies in the industry.

This company is now seeking money to expand its capabilities to include the in-house creation of original holograms while providing a secure mastering and replication solution to the optical technology industry.

The company is only one of three independent companies world-wide which currently provide hologram replication services. There are only seven companies which offer the ability to master holograms. The company anticipates that by creating a mastering lab and implementing its concepts for improved tooling, it will be positioned to integrate forward into the production of proprietary, high value products including innovative security holograms and other products. The company is looking for an investment of $7 million to implement its plan.

8:20 Panel discussion and audience questions

Panel will include:

Terry Mollner

Glenn Hanson, Angel Investor

There is an admission charge of $5 for members and $10 for
non-members.
END

LESSONS FROM THE BEN & JERRY’S DEAL

Terry Mollner, President, Trusteeship Institute

In 2000, Terry led a group in a bid to purchase Ben and Jerry’s
Homemade, Inc. The effort eventually failed but Unilever invited
Terry to become part of their offer, to serve on the board of the
Ben & Jerry’s subsidiary corporation, and assist Unilever to manage
their social audit globally. Unilever, the largest consumer
products company in the world, succeeded in purchasing Ben &
Jerry’s. Mollner is now fulfilling these roles.

Terry is the founder and president of Trusteeship Institute, Inc., a
consulting firm s converting to employee-ownership. The Institute
also does research and development of new socially responsible
investment models. Terry is also a principal in Meadowbrook Lane,
Inc., a socially responsible investment banking firm. Dr. Mollner
has also served on the board of Cyberlore Studios, Inc., a computer
game developer in Northampton and chairs the board of Coop Plus of
Western Massachusetts, Inc.

Bioshelters/Waterfields Aquaculture

The business plan presentation at the March session of the Western
Massachusetts Venture Forum is Bioshelters. Founded in 1986 in
Amherst, Massachusetts this company has perfected an integrated
aquaculture and hydroponics facility based on technology originally
developed from research at Hampshire College. The prototype system
has been in operation for 10 years in Amherst producing about 30,000
pounds of fish and 4600 cases of herbs annually. A larger system is
now being built. The Bioshelters system is unique because it
recycles 99.7 percent of all of the water and waste produced. The
perfection of a recirculating system creates a solution to the
environmental impediments to aquaculture growth and puts this
company at the vanguard of the industry. This proven and
environmentally cleaned technology will allow the company to
capitalize on the growing demand for fresh, unpolluted fish; and
industry which is now over $2.5 billion annually. Growing
hydroponics herbs and vegetables such as basil, pesto, arugula and
watercress provides a second source of income and a hedge against
fluctuating fish prices.

With the completion of a full-scale commercial operation in Amherst,
the company is targeting Boston, New York, Chicago, Cleveland,
Seattle, San Francisco and the Los Angeles markets. It anticipates
targeting other markets through a combination of wholly owned
facilities and joint ventures with local partners.

8:20 Panel discussion and audience questions
Panel will include:

Terry Mollner

Glenn Hanson, Angel Investor

There is an admission charge of $5 for members and $10 for
non-members.
END