SVASE Issues Save the Date for "Launch: Silicon Valley 2010" and a Call for Emerging Startups to Demonstrate New Products and Services

A High-Value, Economical Launch Venue For Young Companies

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs (SVASE) today announced the 2010 edition of  "Launch: Silicon Valley" will be held June 8, 2010, and simultaneously issued a call for presenters. Up to 30 exciting young startups from the fields of information technology, mobility, digital media, next generation internet, life sciences and clean tech will be selected to present at Launch: Silicon Valley before an audience of several hundred of the most influential people in the Valley.  

"Especially in the current economic environment, young companies are looking for a highly effective and cost-efficient way to introduce themselves in the marketplace," said SVASE President & CEO Chris Gill. "Launch: Silicon Valley provides a valuable entree to investors and other influencers who can help shape their success."

Each year, the event draws several hundred VCs, Angels, corporate business development executives, prospective customers and partners, media and bloggers.

As one measure of the event's impact, SVASE estimates that since 2008, Launch: Silicon Valley demonstrating companies have raised over $100MM.

In addition to the presentations, participants also have the opportunity to network with the audience at the Pre-L: SV Event Party on the evening of June 7, as well as at the event itself.

Jonathan Lowenhar, Founder/CEO of Trooval had the following to say about Launch: Silicon Valley 2009: "Trooval is doing wonderfully.  Our monthly revenues have grown substantially since LAUNCH, we raised a first closing on our Series A in December 2009 and we have executed contracts with several of the largest companies (in our target vertical) in the world.  Our team is solid, revenues are growing and our clients are enthusiastic."

Launch: Silicon Valley is once again co-presented by the early stage venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures and Microsoft, and will be hosted at the Microsoft Silicon Valley campus in Mountain View.  Additional sponsors include Draper Fisher Jurvetson; the Band of Angels; Sand Hill Angels, the Angels Forum and Cooley Godward Kronish, among others.

Submissions & Selections Process

Companies interested in presenting their products at Launch: Silicon Valley 2010 should send an Executive Summary of no more than two pages to [email protected] by May 7, 2010.  Companies must have a product or service available as of June 8, 2010, but cannot be introduced in the marketplace for more than a few months prior to the event. Executive Summaries will be evaluated by at least two members of the Launch: Silicon Valley Advisory Board. The advisory board is composed of leading members of the Silicon Valley investment community, including Bill Reichert, Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures, and Warren Packard, Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

Selected companies will be invited to present on stage for 6-minutes, followed by 4 minutes of constructive feedback, from a panel of professional investors. The "most promising new company" will be selected in each of the six designated presenting categories, including information technology, mobility, digital media, next generation internet, life sciences and clean tech.

In addition, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with members of the audience one-on-one between general sessions and during the June 7 pre-conference networking party.

The registration fee for companies invited to present will be $595 for SVASE Members, and $750 for non-Members. (Note: SVASE annual individual membership is $99.) The first batch of audience registrations, at 50% discount ($97.50 for SVASE Members and $122.50 for non-members) will be available for audience members until sold at   http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=193912, after which the next batch of registrations, at 25% discount, will be made available.

For further information and detailed agenda please go to http://www.launchsiliconvalley.org

About SVASE

Founded in 1995 by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs (SVASE) is the largest and fastest growing nonprofit in Northern California dedicated exclusively to helping technology and life science entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses.

SVASE provides support and resources for entrepreneurs, from the idea through initial rounds of funding to product launch, delivered at 12 monthly events and a continually evolving web site. For more information about SVASE, please visit www.svase.org.

About Garage Technology Ventures

Garage Technology Ventures is a seed-stage and early-stage venture capital fund headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with investors that include Thomas Weisel Partners and CalPERS, the California Public Employees Retirement System. Garage is focused on investing in emerging technology startups in the Western U.S. For more information about Garage, visit http://www.garage.com

SOURCE SVASE, The Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs