With market conditions severely challenged, investors are raising their standards when it comes to making new investments. It is not enough just to claim traction or the prospect of a business model in these conditions. Businesses have to work and they have to be addressing markets that investors believe work.
Currently, there is money in the venture community; however the prospect for follow up funds is more challenging than ever before. Corporate investors, who have historically been able to take advantage of markets like this, given their balance sheets and ability to exploit strategic relationships, are also under pressure in this market. Where will investors be more likely to invest in this market? What are these investors and stakeholders really looking for in startup companies?Can the much talked about stimulus packages being discussed improve the investment market?
These experts will engage in a discussion all focused on helping entrepreneurs get to success under tough conditions. Join our experienced and opinionated panel for a lively and informative discussion that will probe the following issues:
·So what exactly are investors willing to fund in Cleantech?
·What are the benchmarks for a fundable company? Have they changed in this market?
·How does an entrepreneur effectively bootstrap his/her way to those milestones?
·What market evaluations, consumer marketing & PR coverage can you get for next to nothing?
·How can you best size your company to achieve your targets with limited funds?
·Which specific technologies or sectors are more attractive to Cleantech investors right now?
·Are there more different fund raising strategies in markets like this?
The Panel:
Luis Arbulu, Principle Investments Team, Google.org
Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended to avoid disappointment on the day.
Speakers’ Bios
Luis Arbulu, Principle Investments team, Google.org
Luis Arbulu is currently part of the investments team of Google.org, the philanthropic and cleantech arm of Google. In this capacity, he leads investments in the energy, environment, and global development sectors.
At Google, Luis also served as CFO for the multi-billion-dollar online ad syndication business, providing analytical and strategy support, and launching several payments infrastructure products. Luis was also Google.org's first finance manager, establishing the grants and investments strategy and mechanisms. Luis was a recipient of Google's CFO award, for his work on ads strategy and operations.
Prior to Google, Luis was an associate at Booz Allen Hamilton (now Booz & Co.) where he covered a variety of industries including healthcare, auto, greentech, etc. working on issues such as mergers and acquisitions, product development, divestitures and outsourcing. In the past, Luis has worked in investment banking, the leadership rotation of a major US telecommunications company, and in various roles in the environmental and cleantech sectors, including as an engineer and project finance associate at Black & Veatch, and as a PM at an environmental services startup.
He obtained his MBA from the WhartonSchool and his engineering degree from the University of Kansas, where he was a Fulbright scholar. Born and raised in Peru, he also attended Unversidad Catolica in Lima. In his (rare) free time, Luis enjoys cycling, cooking, and the arts, as well as the occasional game of soccer.
Andrew joined Lightspeed in 2006 and focuses on investments in cleantech, Internet, digital media and software. Andrew helps lead Lightspeed's investment efforts in cleantech and currently observes the boards of Coaltek, Serious Business, Solazyme and Stion. He has also been involved in completing Lightspeed's investments in Exclara, LS9, Mobius Power, MSP/Drilex and PCH.
Andrew co-chairs the Cleantech Advisory Board for The Indus Entrepreneurs Group (TiE), is launching the cleantech program for the Asian America MultiTechnology Association (AAMA), is actively involved in the California Cleantech Open (CCTO) and was a selection committee member for the Cleantech Venture Forum. Andrew has also been invited to testify before the Lieutenant Governor and California Commission for Economic Development on cleantech- and energy-related policy issues.
Prior to Lightspeed, Andrew worked at Bain Capital and TL Ventures, where he supported leveraged buyout and venture investments in software, semiconductors and healthcare. He also co-founded UberWorks, an e-commerce content aggregation software startup incubated at Trilogy, and led the company through an acquisition by a public company. He also directed product management at OnStation, a CRM software company, and worked as a strategy consultant with Bain & Company in Greater China, servicing clients in the energy generation, industrial automation, consumer electronics and private equity sectors.
Andrew earned his BA in Applied Mathematics from HarvardUniversity and holds an MBA from the WhartonSchool of the University of Pennsylvania. Andrew is an avid musician, having performed as a vocalist and conductor at distinguished venues like the LincolnCenter, the KennedyCenter, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and an off-Broadway musical theatre.
Fred has over 13 years of experience in venture capital. Prior to joining Trinity in 1999, he was a partner at Spectrum Equity Investors, making investments in infrastructure companies. Previously, Fred worked at The Boston Consulting Group working with clients such as Pacific Gas & Electric, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), AT&T, and Apple Computer. Before BCG, Fred held operating positions in the New Technologies Group at Pacific Bell and at Intuit.
Fred is a board member of Western Association of Venture Capital (WAVC), an advisor to the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), and actively involved with the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Northern California and the Stanford University Campaign for Undergraduate Education. He is invested in Soliant Energy and actively looking at companies in the cleantech sector.
Fred has an M.B.A. from HarvardUniversity, an M.S., Industrial Engineering and a B.S., Electrical Engineering, from StanfordUniversity.
Marianne Wu, Partner, Mohr Davidow Ventures
Marianne Wu is a Partner at MDV where she focuses on Cleantech investments. These typically involve significant technology or business model breakthroughs applied to large, evolving markets such as solar, biofuels and chemicals, clean coal, energy efficiency and water treatment and management. She leverages a decade of technology development and business experience to help entrepreneurs build meaningful, successful businesses. At MDV, she works closely with a number of the portfolio companies including ZeaChem and Catilin.
Prior to joining MDV, Marianne was VP Marketing at ONI Systems where she was responsible for product strategy and market development. Earlier in her career, Marianne was a consultant at McKinsey and Company where she advised major technology clients on strategic and operational issues. Marianne has conducted state-of-the-art research in materials, devices, and systems at StanfordUniversity and started her career as a design engineer at Nortel Networks where she developed high-speed networking technologies.
She is a member of the Hua Yuan Science and Technology Association (HYSTA) VC Group, Environmental Entrepreneurs, and is on the Advisory Committee of the Western Governors' Association.
Marianne earned both her doctoral and master's degrees from the School of Engineering at StanfordUniversity and her bachelor's in Applied Science at the University of British Columbia.
James F. Fulton, Jr., Partner, Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
James F. Fulton, Jr. is a partner in the Cooley Godward Kronish Business department and head of the Firm’s Emerging Companies practice. He joined the Firm in 1995 and is resident in the Palo Alto office.
Mr. Fulton’s practice focuses on the representation of emerging technology and life sciences companies and the venture capital firms that invest in those companies. As a specialist in corporate and securities law, he has counseled company clients and investors in a wide variety of projects, including company formations, spin outs, private and public financings, mergers and acquisitions, employee equity incentives, executive hiring and SEC reporting and compliance.
Mr. Fulton received a J.D. from GeorgetownUniversityLawCenter in 1995, graduating cum laude. He received a B.S. in Foreign Service from GeorgetownUniversity in 1989, graduating cum laude.
Prior to joining Cooley, Mr. Fulton was a senior budget analyst with the U.S. Government’s Office of Personnel Management for six years.
Mr. Fulton is a member of the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association.
