TechBiz Connection Panel to Discuss How to Avoid Common Entrepreneur Mistakes -- TechBiz Connection

Oct. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- IRVINE, Calif. – TechBiz Connection will host a panel of local experts who will participate in an interactive forum designed to help entrepreneurs identify and avoid some of the more common and costly entrepreneur mistakes at its monthly forum on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the law offices of Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine.

According to Jack Bicer, TechBiz Connection president, entrepreneurs who have a great idea for a new business have either taken the plunge and are moving the business forward, or are finally ready to make that giant leap into the vast, unknown area of start-up hell. However, he noted, only two-thirds of new businesses make it past the two-year mark, and less than half are still open after four years. The October TechBiz Connection event will help local entrepreneurs avoid making rookie mistakes that can set them back immeasurably.

Panelist Thumbnail Bios
• Stephen A. Block, managing director, Venture Farm is a member of the Tech Coast Angels, Southern California’s largest angel investing group, serving on the Executive Committee of the Westlake/Santa Barbara network. Venture Farm, LLC provides early stage venture capital to entrepreneurs and works closely with them to help them grow. He is also managing director of Trenchant Ventures, LLC, which manages a fund that buys or invests in underperforming businesses with the objective of turning them around and selling them at a profit. Mr. Block is also a mentor to entrepreneurs, a speaker on angel and VC investing at universities and business conferences, and a judge of business plan competitions at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and the University of California at Irvine Paul Merage School of Business.

• Tal Golan is a serial entrepreneur and currently the founding general manager of Innovative Idea Group, a stealth start-up here in Orange County. In 2003, he founded Sendio, Inc. in response to the escalating attacks that were occurring on the email systems of a number of other companies he created. Sendio raised $9 million in venture capital financing. Mr. Golan entered the high-tech industry working for the Multimedia and Digital Video Laboratory at Pixel Multimedia in Tel Aviv, Israel. Prior to founding Sendio, he founded OpticNerve, Inc., a software development and consulting firm developing enterprise-level Internet applications. Mr. Golan holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Brandeis University.
• Bart Greenberg, partner, Haynes and Boone’s Orange County office practices general corporate law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings and the cost-effective representation of entrepreneurs, start-ups and emerging technology companies. He is also a strong contributor to the community by his tireless support and active involvement in many local technology organizations, including, among others, Tech Coast Venture Network, where he currently serves as its chairman; TechBiz Connection, where he currently serves on its Board; OCTANe, where he currently serves on its Technology Leadership Council, and the Digital Media Center in Santa Ana, California, where he currently serves on its Advisory Board.

• Doug Russo is the founder and managing partner of MarketPro Solutions. The company’s partners work with early stage and start-up companies that are typically seeking capital, a strategic partner or both. Mr. Russo and his team work with entrepreneurs, initially to prepare the venture (strategic plans, business plans, marketing plans, financial plans), and then introduce the management team to capital providers and/or potential partners.

The TBC Forum’s discussion and subsequent question-and-answer session is sponsored by Daly-Swartz Public Relations (http://www.dsprel.com); Haynes and Boone LLP (http://www.haynesboone.com) ; Latisys (http://www.latisys.com); Septium Corp.(http://www.septium.com Smith Micro (http://www.smithmicro.com); and Knobbe Martens, Olson & Bear (http://www.kmob.com).

Admission to the TechBiz Connection event is $20 prepaid and $40 at the door. For further information and RSVP, visit http://www.techbizconnection.org or e-mail president@techbizconnection.org.

TechBiz Connection (http://www.techbizconnection.org) was created to support Southern California business and technology professionals, companies and entrepreneurs by providing timely education and networking opportunities. The organization focuses on where technology and business intersect; everything a successful high-tech company would want to do.

Contact:
Daly-Swartz PR for TechBiz Connection
Jeffrey Swartz, 949-470-0075
jeffreyswartz@dsprel.com

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