Nashville Technology Council

The Nashville Technology Council just wrapped up its 2009-2010 fiscal year.  July marks a new year for the Tech Council, and we are happy to continue to bring positive change and innovation to Middle Tennessee’s growing technology community.  In the last 12 months, we brought free, accessible wi-fi to downtown Nashville, helped launch the much anticipated Nashville Entrepreneur Center, grew our membership, and helped foster growth and innovation with our member companies and overall technology industry in Middle Tennessee.

Please join us on Thursday, July 22nd from 5pm to 8pm at the Red Rooster to meet new Nashville Technology staff members Katy Kirby and Mollie McCormick and to network and celebrate summer and all of the technology community accomplishments!  To register, visit our Events page and click on “Summer Holiday Party”.  This event is open to both members and non-members.

This week, we welcomed Katy Kirby on board in the newly formed position of Product Director.  She will be in charge of brand and product strategy implementation for the NTC.  You may recognize her as a former employee at Remarkable Wit, LLC and as founding Executive Director of Digital Nashville.  The music industry brought Katy to Nashville, but the technology industry has kept her here!  Her background in strategic marketing in entertainment, consulting in the technology sector and as a community volunteer and advocate will be a great addition to the NTC team.

We are also pleased to announce that Mollie McCormick will be joining us at the end of the month to assist with office, membership and events.  Mollie is a graduate of Belmont University and is coming to the NTC from Vanderbilt University where she worked in the office of Development and Alumni Relations as Activities Coordinator.

The NTC will continue to focus on economic development, professional development, member engagement, and overall success of our member companies in this new year.  We hope to see all of you next week to mark this new beginning!

Nashville Tech Story (3/29/10)

NASHVILLE TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL TO HOST 2nd ANNUAL TECHNET EVENT
Networking for Job Seekers, Entrepreneurs and Future Graduate Students

The Nashville Technology Council will host its second annual TechNet event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 17th at the Nashville Convention Center.

TechNet is a special event hosted by the Nashville Technology Council to provide technology job seekers, employers, and higher education institutions with the opportunity to network together.  It is designed to help unemployed technology workers find new jobs, provide a direction to help them further their education, and provide networking opportunities.

Attendance at TechNet is free. Exhibits will feature technology companies looking for new talent, staffing agencies looking for the perfect person to place, and Universities offering higher education options. Companies will have the opportunity to exhibit for only $150.

In addition to an exhibitor showcase, the event will feature three breakout sessions including a Resume Building Workshop, a Business Plan Workshop for Entrepreneurs, and a College Workshop on Advanced Degrees. Fifteen area academic institutions will be participating, as well as local area staffing and placement firms.

“This event is designed to connect technology talent from Middle Tennessee and the surrounding states with potential employers,” said J. Tod Fetherling, President/CEO of the Nashville Technology Council. “TechNet is an effort to not only stimulate job growth in technology community, but to encourage workers to continue their education and promote Nashville’s entrepreneurial spirit.”  

Last year, this event attracted over 250 unemployed technology workers as well as future college graduates, who were looking for employment or additional information on higher education. This year, we expect an even higher attendance.  If you are interested in attending this event or exhibiting, visit http://www.technologycouncil.com/2010/02/22/april-17-technet/.

Nashville Tech Story (2/25/10)

Tuesday, 25 Venture Capital firms pledged to invest a total of $3.5 billion in technology start-ups over the next two years. The group who formed this pledge is a part of the Invest in America Alliance, headed by Intel, consisting of 25 venture capital firms as well as 17 high tech companies.  Intel suggested this figure includes a $200 million Intel Capital Investment,  which will target clean technology, information technology and biotechnology.  Venture capital firms the new alliance include Braemar Energy Ventures, Canaan Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Institutional Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Menlo Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, Sevin Rosen Funds, U.S. Venture Partners, Venrock and Walden International.

In addition to the billions of dollars promised, the 17 enterprise companies promised to hire 10,500 college graduates during the next two years, meaning some companies will be doubling their hiring of grads. These high tech companies include: Accenture, Adobe Systems, Autodesk, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Dell, eBay, EMC Corp., GE, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Marvell Semiconductor, Microsoft, and Yahoo.

Find out more here: http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223100356

Find out more about Invest in America Alliance here: http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/InvestinAmerica/

Nashville Tech Story (12/4/09)

The Nashville Technology Council conducted a roundtable discussion on Capital Formation last night.  The event was held and sponsored by Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. 

The panelist included: Vic Gatto (Solidus), John Chadwick, (Claritas Capital), Jim Phillips (XMI High Growth Development Fund), and Christopher Rand (Tristar Technology Ventures).  The session was moderated by Chris Sloan from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings.

As previously reported, Tennessee and Nashville in particular is set to receive approximately $100M of new early stage/seed investments from the TNInvestco Program.  This program is really causing a lot of excitement, but as we learned last night, there is some tempered enthusiasm about how much immediate impact this will have on the entrepreneurial community.

One thing that struck me last night is how much Harpeth and Massey Burch continue to impact the city with their alumni now running multiple funds, including Chadwick and Gatto.

Vic Gatto brought his usually entertaining and candid responses to the table.  He uses three screens for new deals: Geography (DC to TX to FL), Seed Stage, Customers/Management Team in place.  He likes “applied technology” using existing technology in new industries.  In particular, he is looking for healthcare revenue cycle opportunities that are applying technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness in care delivery and reimbursement.

Additionally, social gaming and mobile applications are interesting to the panel and we have some level of expertise developing here locally.  At least two of the audience members are focused on energy and green technology plays.  There doesn’t seem as much appetite for these types of investments, due to lack of deep industry expertise, but also, the funding required to bring it to market and exit.  Kleiner Perkins and other Sand Hill Road firms are investing 75-80% of their funds in energy plays.

John Chadwick is focused on startups in healthcare, digital media, and mezzanine funding.  His recent investments include Studio Now, Metro Park and Digital Blue.

Christopher Rand is focusing on bringing technology transfer from Universities from both inside and outside of the state.  Ideally, they would be looking at $1-3 million investments with a low end of $250K.  Tristar and Innova will likely be the only TNInvestco funds to focus on biotech.

XMI’s fund is focused on “crossing the infrastructure divide.”  They are looking businesses with a revenue model and in need of $500K to $1M.  They will reserve up to 50% for follow on investments.

All agreed that is it is good to have a “warm” introduction if a new business plan is going to be funded.  All of the panelists agree that a solid management team or an experienced entrepreneur is one of the first hurdles to be cleared.  A great idea is important, but the money follows experience.  One exception was Jim Phillips from XMI, who seems to have more of the backend business processes in place, so that a sole entrepreneur with a bold new idea can get launched with less risk.  All agreed that the stimulus money will hopefully open more doors for new entrepreneurs.

John Chadwick mentioned the new Entrepreneur Center as a good platform to help entrepreneurs work through the kinks of starting a business and gaining access to capital.

So the real question is how much will the TNInvestco help.  The panelist believed it will create 15-16 more deals statewide that get funded in the next two years.  The audience asked questions related to talent availability in Nashville and the angel market.  The panelist all agreed there is sufficient talent and business plans available in Nashville to create the demand, but now is the time to get prepared for funding if you feel like you have a fundable entity.  Vic Gatto said “I see 5X the number of deals as I would fund”, so there is plenty of deal flow in town.  That is a healthy sign from our vantage point.

Nashville Tech Story (12/2/09)

Are you an entrepreneur and would like to receive $500 cash in addition to a $2,000 professional marketing package, and statewide recognition?  You can do so, by entering the statewide Entrepreneur Video Competition, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.  

In continuation of Global Entrepreneur Week, which was held November 16-22, 2009, Tennessee wants to continue to celebrate the vital role entrepreneurs play in the state’s economy.  According to the Business Enterprise Resource Offices, during Global Entrepreneur Week, Tennessee hosted more than 60 events, leading all other states in the nation by 19 activities. Tennessee also ranks in the top ten for partners, with more than 50 organizations across the state joining in to make celebration a success.  For a full list of events hosted during Global Entrepreneur Week, click here.

Finalists in the Entrepreneur Video Competition will be chosen from five categories:
1.    Main Street/Downtown
2.    Home-based
3.    Agri-business
4.    Arts & Entertainment
5.    Innovation

The video, which must be no more than five minutes and length, should ultimately answer the question, “What makes you an Entrepreneur?” The video should describe the business using exterior, interior of business and highlight products, services or marketing strategies which make the business and entrepreneur successful.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will use the winning entries in a department-produced video and print piece intended to identify and promote innovative entrepreneurs in Tennessee communities and encourage others to join them as small business owners.  In addition, your business will be included in a statewide press release.

Entering the Contest is easy. Simply, click here to register online, then upload your YouTube Video.  

For more details on the contest visit: http://www.tnecd.gov/tnopenforbusiness/index.html.

In recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Tennessee wants to celebrate its business owners who embrace the spirit and meaning of entrepreneurship.  

The Tennessee ECD’s Business Enterprise Resource Office and Tennessee Main Street Program are promoting entrepreneurship in Tennessee with a statewide video competition. Entrepreneurs are invited to prepare a short video that answers the question “What makes you an entrepreneur?”

Finalists will be selected from five business categories: Main Street/downtown; home-based; agri-business; arts and entertainment; and innovation.

Entrants must submit an original video no more than five minutes in length describing the business using exterior, interior of business and highlight products, services or marketing strategies which make the business and entrepreneur successful. The video should ultimately answer the question “What makes you an Entrepreneur?” The video may not contain any work (in whole or in part) which is the subject of a copyright or infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party. Video must be the original work of the entrant.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will use the winning entries in a department-produced video and print piece intended to identify and promote innovative entrepreneurs in Tennessee communities and encourage others to join them as small business owners. The statewide winner will receive $500 cash award plus a professional marketing package valued at $2,000.
The deadline to apply is December 15. Complete contest details can be found at the official website: http://www.tnecd.gov/tnopenforbusiness or for more information, contact BERO at 1-800-871-7201.

Grand Prize:
$500 cash plus $2,000 professional marketing package; award, statewide recognition
Category Winners:
Award plus statewide recognition

How to Apply:
1.    Register Online
2.    Upload your You Tube Video

Deadline:
December 15, 2009 11:59CST

Entrepreneur Categories:
1.    Main Street/Downtown
2.    Home-based
3.    Agri-business
4.    Arts & Entertainment
5.    Innovation

Contest Rules & Regulations

Triple Crown?

While we don’t have a horse in the running for the Triple Crown this year, we do a city trying to pull off a Triple Play.  Nashville is working to position itself as a mecca for Music, Health, and Technology.  Underlying the success of all three industries is the entrepreneurial spirit in Nashville. Can it be done?

Milt Capps reported in his Blog this week about the Washington Post story covering The National Economic Stress Index from the AP.  The story specifically calls out Nashville and our ability to transform the city using the Music City Brand.  Check One.  More and more our city is being held out in national publications as unique.  We need to continue to embrace this as part of our culture.  Visit the index, it is very cool use of data and technology.

Second is our dominance in Health Care.  The work of the Nashville Health Care Council has been exceptional in branding Nashville as the Silicon Valley of Health Care.  And it is true.  The Provider and Payer industries growing out of Nashville is extraordinary and should continue to help the city weather the economic turmoil.

Third is our entrepreneurial spirit.  Approximately 21.6% of economic engine of the city is compromised of self employed/entrepreneurial ventures.  That is amazing.  We lead most major cities in this category.  The history as revealed by Ralph Schultz goes back centuries and continues to drive the economy.  So in building a brand as an entrepreneurial city, we first need to recognize it ourselves and then begin to promote it externally.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with a packed room full of young energetic, smart college students as part of Vanderbilt’s Accelerator Program.  It was facinating to hear their perceptions of Nashville after a great series of presentations from the Chamber, CVB, and local entrepreneurs.  What I learned is that Nashville is experimental city, meaning that when people physically experience what our city has to offer, they are surprised and excited.  They want to stay.  I can’t wait to see what these young minds come up with in Branding Nashville as an Entrepreneurial City.

I am ready to bet on our ability to win the Triple Crown.  How about you?

Entrepreneurial Series Roundtable Event:
“Protecting Your IP“
November 10, 2009
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hotel Preston
733 Briley Parkway | Nashville, Tennessee
*Cash Bar Available

Click Here to Register Online

Sponsored by:

Are you interested in starting a business, and want to know more about copyrights, patents, trademarks, and other types of intellectual property? Join our panel of legal experts as we discuss Intellectual Property, and your rights and a business owner.

Panel Members:

David Gilbert
Director of Business Development, Griffin Technology

Previously the Director of Intellectual Property Management at Griffin, David built the IP program at Griffin and oversaw the submission of dozens of utility and design patent applications to the USPTO on Griffin’s behalf.  He also participated in managing disputes and agreements regarding Griffin’s  IP.  Click Here to Read More

Suzanne Kessler
Principal, Hughes-Kessler Consulting

Suzanne Kessler is an entertainment attorney and documentary filmmaker.  She began her legal career at Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman, LLP, a Beverly Hills entertainment law firm, where she worked in the transactional entertainment department, focusing in the film, music, copyright, and trademark areas.  She serviced studios and production companies (such as MGM, Universal, and Turner Broadcasting System), record companies (such as MCA Records and Curb Records), and assorted independent film and television producers and talent.  During six years at Universal Music Group (“UMG”), she was the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for A&M Records in Hollywood and served as Vice President of Business Development for UMG’s Nashville operations.  While at UMG, Kessler helped develop new media strategies and facilitate intellectual property anti-piracy efforts. Click Here to Read More

Eric Reuthe
Vice President of Product Engineering, edō Interactive

Eric Reuthe has over 15 years of experience, as an entrepreneur, working with start-ups, and managing and developing technology in a variety of industries including medical device, semiconductor, and business and financial services. Currently, he is the Vice President of Product Engineering at edō Interactive a company that is developing technologies that leverage payment card and platforms to create digital marketing and advertising networks. At edō, he is responsible for the technical design and development of edo’s products and service platforms and is involved with patenting several business methods and supporting technologies. Eric is actively working on and inventing much of edō’s technology related to creating consumer incentives through the use of financial offsets and real-time transaction analysis.  Click Here to Read More

Edward Ramage
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

W Edward Ramage is a shareholder and chair of the IP Group at Baker Donelson.  Mr Ramage concentrates his practice on patent prosecution and the litigation and licensing of IP rights. His patent prosecution experience includes business methods, medical devices and  medical IT systems. He is registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office, and is admitted to the US Courts of Appeal for the Federal and Sixth Circuits. He graduated from Harvard University cum laude, received his Master’s degree from Stanford University, and his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

Moderator:

K.A.D. Camara
Partner, Camara & Sibley LLP

Mr. Camara is the youngest graduate in the history of Harvard Law School, having earned his J.D. magna cum laude at 19. He was born in Manila, attended the Punahou School in Honolulu, and earned his B.S. summa cum laude in computer science and mathematics. After law school, he taught corporate law at Northwestern, and practiced at Houston litigation boutique Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Anaipakos before starting his own firm, Camara & Sibley LLP.  Click Here to Read More