New Startup Vermont Partnership Conference Connects Entrepreneurs With State’s Most Successful Businesses
New Startup Vermont Partnership Conference Connects Entrepreneurs With State’s Most Successful Businesses
Program to Focus on Tech, Consumer, Foods Systems Sectors; Breakout Sessions Tackle Common Challenges for New Business Growth
Attendees for June 19 Event at IBM Must Be Pre-Registered; Attendance Limited
For Immediate Release
BURLINGTON, VT, May 18, 2012– Startup Vermont, a coalition of entrepreneurs, advisors, funders and larger corporations from across the Green Mountain state, today announced the opening of registration for the inaugural Startup Vermont Partnership Conference (SVPC), to be held at IBM’s Essex Junction, VT, campus on June 19.
The Startup Vermont Partnership Conference was developed to bring entrepreneurs and small business owners together with Vermont’s leading business success stories, to share experience and learning, and ultimately contribute to economic growth in the Green Mountain State.
Businesses interested in attending can find complete details and register now at the conference registration site.Attendance will be limited to 150 participants and all participants must be preregistered.
“When Startup America was formed, we immediately saw Vermont as a natural hub in the Northeast region, based on the state’s reputation for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in companies ranging from Ben & Jerry’s to NRG Systems,” explained Cairn Cross, Managing Director of Fresh Tracks Capital, speaking on behalf of the Startup Vermont coalition. “This first Startup Vermont conference is a forum for new ideas to find support and ramp up more quickly than has traditionally been possible, with help from experienced and successful businesses.”
The daylong event will begin with panels focused around three industry sectors – Technology, Consumer Products and Food Systems/Farm to Plate – and later feature breakout sessions on critical issues for startups:
- Intellectual property management: I have a fabulous business idea, but how can I protect it?
- Finding capital: I’ve maxed out my borrowing capacity – how can I source additional capital?
- Business development best practices: I know there are clients who would use my product, but I can’t find them!
- Sourcing and hiring talent: Vermont has a great talent pool, so I’ve heard; but how do I find the right person for this position I need to fill?
- Understanding and implementing social media strategies: To tweet or not to tweet?
Leading companies such as Allscripts, Biotek, Burton, IBM and MyWebGrocer will make best practice collaborative presentations. Mark Hanny, IBM VP, Independent Software Ventures and Development, will deliver the keynote address. Confirmed participants in the three industry sector tracks include the following:
- Technology: Stephen Luce, Distinguished Engineer & Chief Technical Executive, IBM Vermont; Rebecca Roose, Senior Product Marketing Manager, MyWebGrocer; Richard Elmore, VP, Strategic Initiatives, Allscripts; Briar Alpert, President and CEO, Biotek; Moderator: Cairn Cross, Fresh Tracks Capital
- Consumer Products: Donna Carpenter, President, Burton Snowboards; Joe Perrotto, CEO, DR Power; Paul Comey, VP Environmental Affairs, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters; Chico Lager, former CEO Ben and Jerry’s; Ed Kiniry, Founder, Tubbs Snowshoes; Moderator: Jeremy Kent, Burton
- Food Systems/Farm to Plate: Eric Becker, Chief Investment Officer, Clean Yield Asset Management; Jeff Jones, Managing Director, Vermont Hydroponic Produce; Earl Cronk, Senior Category Manager for Produce, Price Chopper; Robin Morris, Founder, Mad River Food Hub; Moderator: Jacob Park, Green Mountain College
Confirmed participants in the afternoon breakout sessions include Ted Castle of Rhino Foods on business development; attorneys from Downs, Rachlin, Martin and Fenwick & West on intellectual property; Justin Worthley of Burton and Beth Peters of Vivid Workplace, on sourcing and hiring talent; and Rich Nadworny of Digilicious on social media strategy.
About Startup Vermont
Startup Vermont is a new coalition of entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors, funders, major corporations and service providers, formed to provide strategic and substantive resources to help entrepreneurs start and scale companies. Startup Vermont became affiliated with The Startup America Partnership on January 31, 2012 as a designated "Startup America Region."
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Media Inquires: Joe Miller
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