Pittsburgh Steelers Team Psychologist to Take Investors Behind the Scenes Into NFL Draft Strategies and Dynamics

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the team psychologist for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the past ten years, Dr. Kevin Wildenhaus is usually working behind the scenes at Heinz Field, but this September, he will take center stage at the Lexus Club at PNC Park, the North Shore's other professional sports venue.

Kelly Szejko, President of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, announced today that Wildenhaus will serve as the keynote speaker at the 3 Rivers Venture Fair [3RVF], the organization's flagship event, on September 21-22nd.  The 3RVF is among the largest technology investment showcases in the country and attracts more than 600 prominent investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders who travel to Pittsburgh every 18 months to discover high-potential, promising breakthroughs and ground floor investment opportunities in energy, medicine, life sciences, communications, manufacturing and more.  34 carefully screened, capital-seeking companies from six different states have been selected from hundreds of applicants to pitch their prospects for growth and market potential to the influential audience. The list of featured companies will be announced on the event's website on September 7th.

The event has a track record of showcasing pioneering, investment-worthy ventures. Since the debut of the Fair in 2002, featured companies have gone on to raise more than $340 million, which has served to solidify the Fair's reputation as worthy destination for serious investors.

Wildenhaus joins a roster of 3RVF keynote speakers that includes Steve Forbes from Forbes, Steve Jurvetson of Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Bill Rancic from The Apprentice.  

In addition to serving as the Director of Behavioral Science of Johnson & Johnson's Wellness & Prevention, Inc., Wildenhaus has served as a consultant to MLB and NFL teams since 1994.

"NFL teams and venture capitalists can learn a lot from each other. There  are many interesting parallels in the process of building both an NFL roster and a VC portfolio," said Wildenhaus.  

In his luncheon keynote address on September 22nd, Wildenhaus will discuss his role in the Steelers draft, his approach, to evaluating personality and character and the inherent risks associated with spending millions on young, unproven athletes.  Additionally, he will discuss the psychological characteristics that successful athletes, entrepreneurs and investors have in common, including  the need for achievement and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity.  

In addition to company presentations and Wildenhaus' keynote address, the 3RVF has a brand new element this year called the On-Deck Circle Technology Showcase Luncheon, which will serve as the Fair's kick-off event on September 21st. The luncheon will provide an early look at some of the region's most promising early stage, university-based innovations with start-up potential.  14 innovators from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh will deliver three-minute presentations about their platform technologies.  Attendees will get to vote on their favorite presentation.  

"As an organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, the PVCA is eager to showcase the exciting technologies that are being developed and nurtured in our universities.  We are proud of the technologies that are born here and the region's reputation as a hotbed of innovation," said Szejko.

For a complete schedule, information and registration, visit www.3RVF.com.

SOURCE Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse