Category: Uncategorized

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LESSONS FROM THE BEN & JERRY’S DEAL

The session will be held:

March 27

Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center

American International College

The schedule is:

6pm Registration/Networking

6:30 Featured speaker:

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.

7:20 Open mic: Opportunity for entrepreneurs from the audience to make a one
minute pitch

7:30 Networking & Refreshments

8:00 Business plan presentation:

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

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MAKE YOURSELF THE INDUSTRY LEADER ON A SHOESTRING



The session will be held:

May 29

Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center

American International College



The schedule is:

6pm Registration/Networking

6:30 Featured speaker:


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.




7:20 Open mic: Opportunity for entrepreneurs from the audience to make a one
minute pitch

7:30 Networking & Refreshments

8:00 Business plan presentation:



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

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Western Massachusetts Venture Forum

@ American International College – www.massventureforum.org

Where Ideas Meet Money

Tuesday, September 25

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

American International College

Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center

If you have an idea for a new business or to grow an existing one, the resources to invest in
a venture or want to learn about how businesses grow, come see ideas and money meet! The
Forum promotes entrepreneurial activity in Western Masssachusetts and Northern Connecticut.


Featured Speaker Panel

Russell Howard, Managing Director, Berkshire Capital

Richard Steele, Managing Partner, Summer Street Capital

Partners, LLC

Richard Cranshaw, Account Officer, Capitol Resource Funding

Getting The Money

Business Plan Presentation

John Gannon, President & CEO, CASTion® Corporation

Program:

6:00 p.m. Registration/Networking

6:30 p.m. One minute pitches by entrepreneurs

6:50 p.m. Plan Presentation – CASTion® Corporation

7:30 p.m. Networking

8:00 p.m. Panel Presentation – Getting The Money

8:45 p.m. Your Questions

Upcoming Forums: November 27,
2001 & January 22, 2002

Directions & How to submit your business plan on back
$5 members
$10 non-members

Submit Your Business Plan


Do you have a business plan or good idea for a business ?

Would you like to get a serious critique of your plan and the
chance to present to a wide range of local professionals,
business experts and, possibly even, funding sources ?
You can do all this by presenting at a
future Western Massachusetts Venture Forum.

The
Business Plan Review Committee will:

  • Review your plan for possible presentation at a forum session
  • Offer feedback on the plan
  • Identify potential service providers
  • Forward your plan to interested venture capital resources

Please submit your plan to the
Business Plan Committee Chair, Paul Nicolai.

There should be nothing
confidential or secret in any of the materials submitted.
Review the Rules and Guidelines linked below for more details.
You must submit at least two months
prior to the first forum session you might be scheduled to present.

Plans and inquires should be addressed to:

Paul Nicolai
Nicolai Law Group, P.C.i
Business Law & Litigationi
146 Chestnut St.i
Springfield, MA 01103-1539i
Phone: (413) 272-2000 ext. 1i
Fax: (413) 272-2010i
E-Mail:
paul.nicolai@niclawgrp.comi

sponsors.html



Western Massachusetts Venture Forum

“Where Ideas Meet Money” ™

Sponsors

AIC School of Business		 1000 State Street,
Springfield, MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
Nicolai Law Group, P.C. Business Law & Litigation
Paul Peter Nicolai
146 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01103
413-272-2000
Burkhart & Pizzanelli, P.C. Accounting Services
Thomas Pratt, C.P.A.
201 Park Avenue
West Springfield, MA 01089
413-734-9040
Massachusetts Technology
Development Corporation
(MTDC) Venture Capital 		148 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-723-4920
Themistos & Dane, P.C. Accounting Services
Thomas H. Themistos, C.P.A.
1 Monarch Place, Ste 2020
Springfield, MA 01144
413-733.4179

PriceWaterhouseCoopers		 Accounting Services
Rajan Parmeswar, C.P.A.
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, CT 06103
860-241-7000

Web hosting and Site Maintenance by
On-the-Net

vf-bwest.html

The editorial in the August 2001 edition of BusinessWest,
CREATING ENTREPRENEURIAL ENERGY

recognized the contribution of the Venture Forum
when it said:

Another positive step in the Valley’s efforts to create and foster
entrepreneurial energy was the formation last year of the Western Mass
Venture Forum Series. Staged every other month at American International
College, the forums were blueprinted with a specific mission: To link
entrepreneurs with capital.

In its first year, the program certainly did that, but it also went several
steps beyond that initial goal. While some ventures managed to receive money
from Angel investors and venture capitalists, dozens of others gained needed
attention. This exposure often translated into something that entrepreneurs
needed as much as capital – connections.

In addition, the forums featured presentations from some of the regions most
noted and successful entrepreneurs, including the principals from Concourse
Communications, BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneurs For 2000.

What the speakers impart to their audiences is wisdom, in the form of
experience from having been down that dangerous road described earlier. But
they provide another important service – inspiration to those who might be
thinking that the road to entrepreneurship has a few too many potholes.

Is too early to say that there is another Milton Bradley or S. Prestley
Blake presenting ideas at these forums. But suffice it to say that the
venture series and other programs are creating an environment in which those
who have ideas stand a better chance of beating the odds.

The venture forum series, which will begin its second season in September,
has proven that the Valley has a number of talented young men and women
looking to turn their ideas into centers of profit – and employment. By
giving such ventures the resources they need, the Valley’s many
entrepreneurial programs are securing a better future for the entire region.

Directions to American International College

Directions to American International College

FROM THE NORTH:

Interstate 91 South to Exit 7 (Columbus Avenue/Springfield
Center). Take a left at second traffic light onto State Street. Follow State
Street approximately two miles. When the road divides, bear left and continue
on State Street.

FROM THE SOUTH:

Interstate 91 North to Exit 4 (Broad Street). Proceed straight from the exit
approximately 1/2 mile to State Street. Take right onto State Street and
follow previous directions.

FROM THE EAST OR WEST:

Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to Exit 6 (Springfield). Take left from exit
onto Interstate 291. Take Exit 5 (East Springfield/20A). Take left at first
light onto Roosevelt Avenue. Follow Roosevelt Avenue for approximately two
miles, passing the AIC Athletic Complex on the right. After the overpass, take
second right onto Wilbraham Road. Follow Wilbraham Road approximately one mile
to the AIC campus on right.


The Karen Sprague Cultural Art Center is on the corner of State and Homer Streets. Parking is available in the lot at State and
Maynard Streets, next to City Cleaners.


Get Directions from Mapquest

Jan 23 WMVF Meeting

“Getting The Money”

Tuesday,January 23
6:00 -9:00 p.m.
American International College
Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center
Western Massachusetts Venture Forum
Where Ideas Meet Money

Featured Speakers

Matt Harris, CEO, Village Ventures, Inc.
David Townsend – Angel Investor

Business Plan Presentation:
Safety Tech Industries, Inc.

Program:
6:00 p.m. Registration/Networking
6:30 p.m. Featured Speaker -Your Questions
7:20 p.m. Open Mic for one minute pitches by entrepreneurs
7:30 p.m. Networking
8:00 p.m. Plan Presentation -Team Talk Firefighter System –Safety Tech
8:20 p.m. Panel Plan Review -Panelist:
Richard Feldman,President,Corporation For
Public Technologies;
Matt Harris & David Townsend
8:45 p.m. Your Questions

Upcoming Forums: March 27 & May 29

$5 members
$10 non-members