Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit Connects Venture Capitalists and Angels with Entrepreneurs and Start-ups

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Furlong and Associates will host the Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit, and Business Plan Competition, on June 25th at Santa Clara University. The Summit draws a global influencer base to address the ongoing needs facing the Boomer consumer, and to pair investors with entrepreneurs who can bring innovative products and services for the longevity economy to market.

The Summit will open with "Breakfast with the Angels" – a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with and learn from angel investors.  The Summit will feature analyst briefings on topics including the latest in consumer market data, how and where boomers spend money, and trends in housing for boomers and seniors, as well as an innovation keynote and blueprint on the longevity economy.

The 2014 Summit also features the eleventh annual Business Plan Competition featuring a $10,000 grand prize for excellence in one of the following areas: bio-design, medical devices, geriatrics and gerontology, or "aging in place" technology. Business Plan Competition judges include: Moderator Jeff Makowka, AARP Senior Strategic Advisor, Thought Leadership, AARP; Tom Rodgers, Director of Strategic Investment, Direct Health Solutions, Cambia Health; Dean Hoang, Investment Associate, Pinnacle Ventures; Scott Smith, Founder & Managing Partner, Viant Group; Gavin Teo, Investment Professional, Comcast Ventures; John Hopper, Managing Director, Link-age Ventures, Inc.; Lucian Iancovici, M.D., Investment Manger, Qualcomm Life Fund; and Jody Holtzman, Senior Vice President, Thought Leadership, AARP.  Plans will be accepted through June 2^nd at 5 pm.

"Innovation is the heart of Silicon Valley, but not every new product or service fits the needs of the Boomer market. The 100 million plus population of older adults in the US represents a significant consumer market," said Mary Furlong, of Furlong and Associates. "The Boomer Venture Summit exposes angels and venture capitalists to a $4.7 trillion market opportunity."

The Summit features industry leaders in technology, innovation and aging. Previous speakers have included: Guy Kawasaki, Canva; Craig Newmark, craigslist; Steve Jurvetson, Draper Fisher Jurvetson; John Hagel, Deloitte LLP's Center for the Edge; and AARP Senior Vice President of Thought Leadership Jody Holtzman.

To learn more about the 2014 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit and Business Plan Competition, and register, visit www.boomerventuresummit.com.

About the Silicon Valley Boomer Summit

The annual Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit & Business Plan Competition is a venue for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to share information about serving or investing in companies catering to consumers age 50 and older. The event is produced by Mary Furlong & Associates, the nation's premiere strategic consulting firm for businesses targeting the boomer and senior marketplace, and co-produced by Susan Ann Davis, CEO and chairman of Susan Davis International, a full service public relations agency headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Sponsors of the 2014 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit & Business Plan Competition include: AARP, UHC, Realtor.com, Greatcall, Premier Care, The Business of Aging, Linkage, InnovateLTC, PositScience, SilverRide, Caring.com, SingFit Prime, Petplan, Susan Davis International, and First Republic Bank.

About Mary Furlong and Associates

Founded in 2003, Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA) is headquartered in San Francisco. The firm's strategy, business development, marketing and public relations services are uniquely geared to drive new opportunities for clients in the baby boomer and senior markets. MFA has secured more than $130 million for longevity marketplace investments, and more than $15 million for non-profits.

Dr. Furlong is the Dean's Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University and founder of SeniorNet (1986), Third Age Media (1996), and Mary Furlong and Associates (2002). For more information, visit www.maryfurlong.com.

Contact:
Lori Bitter, The Business of Aging
Telephone: 415-652-9884
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Mary Furlong and Associates