eBox

Proactum

Owlient

JobiJoba

Nomadesk

Climpact

Local Data Company

Calinda

Arimaz

MyPrinting

Innovate!Europe will close its Master Class program with a public forum, “Meet the Entrepreneurs,” where ten finalist companies will present their businesses plans. Executives from each of the finalist companies will give a 10-minute presentation that describes the company, its unique value proposition, and its market potential.

At the completion of the the presentations, Mr. Hernani will address the Master Class and join the leadership of Innovate!Europe to announce and present the award to Innovate!Europe’s High-Potential Startup of 2009.

The forum will take place at the Teatro Principal in Zaragoza, Spain, Wednesday, May 6, at 18h00.

Following the official opening by the Honorable Juan Alberto Belloch, mayor of the City of Zaragoza, the program will convene a roundtable discussion of distinguished technology entrepreneurs and investors lead by Ignacio de la Vega, founder and director of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Ventures Development at Instituto de Empressa Business School.

The discussion topic,  Thriving in the Crisis, explores how new and growing businesses can best weather the current economic storm, and even come out ahead.

Innovate!Europe’s Master Class program is taking place during the most difficult global economic crisis of our lifetimes. Yet we share the common belief that entrepreneurship and innovation are the surest way to shift market momentum and drive economic growth. How must innovative companies plan and manage their businesses during the recession to position themselves for better growth and outcomes when the market begins to turn? Where is there opportunity?

The public is invited to join Master Class mentors David Sifry, Marten Mickos, Yoav Leitersdorf, Maximilian Niederhofer, Barak Berkowitz, Madeline Duva, and Mike Rogers as they take up these questions in a robust discussion hosted by Ignacio de la Vega.

The roundtable takes place Monday, May 4, at 19h00 at the Teatro Principal, Zaragoza.  For further information, please contact tina@innovateventures.com.

Innovate Europe Master Class Program

May 4 – 6, 2009     Zaragoza, Spain

May 4

(Afternoon by appointment) Pitch Reviews with Guidewire Group Analysts – Teatro Principal

19h00:  Opening Session – Teatro Principal

Official Welcome

The Honorable Juan Alberto Belloch, mayor of the City of Zaragoza, and our esteemed patrons Informatica El Corte Ingles and the Gobierno de Aragon, open the Master Class with an official welcome.

Thriving in the Crisis: A Mentor Roundtable

We convene this Master Class during the most difficult global economic crisis of our lifetimes. Yet we share the common belief that entrepreneurship and innovation are the surest way to shift market momentum and drive economic growth. How must innovative companies plan and manage their businesses during the recession to position themselves for better growth and outcomes when the market begins to turn? Where is there opportunity for such growth?
Ignacio de la Vega, Founder and Director of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Ventures Development (ICEVED) at IE Business School in Madrid will lead a discussion of Master Class Faculty and Mentors as they share their strategies for Thriving in the Crisis.

19h30:  Welcoming Reception – Lounge, Teatro Principal

May 5

9h00:   Registration – Lobby, Teatro Principal

10h00: Opening Session

Welcome – Chris Shipley

Master Class: David Sifry On Leadership

David Sifry is the Chairman of Technorati and the founder and CEO of OffBeat Guides. As a serial entrepreneur, David has built teams, raised capital, taken products to market, and architected successful exits. He brings a unique perspective on leadership, coaxing and coaching his teams to be their very best. Leading our first Master Class, David shares his insights on the skills, approach, and characteristics of strong entrepreneurial leaders.

11h30:  Coffee Break

12h00:  General Session

Setting Expectations: Raising Money Here and There

Many companies will seek venture capital to fund their global expansion. Fundraising is always challenging, particularly for companies moving to Silicon Valley from outside the United States. Our mentors discuss the realities of venture capital and suggest strategies for raising expansion capital.

Mentors:

• Yoav Andrew Leitersdorf, YL Ventures, Netherlands & Israel
• Max Niederhofer, Atlas, United States
• Nicolas Rose, Xange, France

Meet the Mentors

The heart of the Master Class program is the mentor relationship. Participating entrepreneurs will be organized into small teams, each lead by a mentor. This is an opportunity to learn from the mentor’s experience, solicit feedback on your business, hone your company’s pitch and positioning, and begin to build your Silicon Valley business network.

13h30: Lunch with Mentors

Mentor teams will dine at local restaurants

15h30:  Master Class Breakouts I – Roman Theatre

Session A: Building a Global Team

Innovate!Europe partners Orrick and AlpinaSearch provide insights into how global companies can best operate in the US. They will address the critical issues facing any company moving to the U.S., including when to set up a subsidiary, how to capitalize the subsidiary, and methods of creating an intra-company agreement with a European parent. They’ll discover how to put in place an equity incentive plan, establishing employment terms, set up a US bank account, and take appropriate steps to protect company interests.

Mentors:

• Gary Reeman, AlpinaSearch, Ltd. United Kingdom
• John Bautista, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, United States

Session B: Driving Revenue

In any market, but particularly in today’s economic environment, there is no greater imperative for the leadership of a startup venture than to drive revenue growth. Veteran entrepreneurs and sales executives discuss strategies for managing partners, accelerating sales cycles, and closing new business.

Mentors:

• Mike Rogers, Guidewire Group, United States
• Madeline Duva, Third Eye Consulting, United States

(by appointment) Pitch Reviews w/ Guidewire Group Analysts – Teatro Principal

16h30: Break

17h00:  Master Class Breakouts II – Roman Theatre

Session: Adapting Your Business Plan in Times of Uncertainty, Shaping Strategy in the Current Economic Situation

The current atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity is hampering the entrepreneurial community in terms of decision making and launching their initiatives. Our mentor will explain the key factors to consider in a business plan in order to limit the additional risks that emerge during a financial crisis.

Mentor:

• TBD, Instituto Empresa, Spain

20h00:  Sessions Adjourn

Tapas with classmates and mentors on your own

May 6

9h00: General Session - Teatro Principal

Master Class with Marten Mickos

Marten Mickos built mySQL into a global brand name, with operations in more than 20 countries before selling the company to Sun Microsystems in early 2008. Marten will share his experiences, practices, and inside stories.

Setting Expectations: Doing Business in America

The decision to move into the U.S. market, move to Silicon Valley, and expand your business globally is one of the most complex and critical you’ll make for your growing startup. These European entrepreneurs talk about how they came to that decision for their companies and offer their guidance and advice for companies following their example.

Mentors:

• Benoit Bergeret, Founder, Realeyes 3D, France
• Barack Berkowitz, serial entrepreneur, United States

10h30:  Coffee Break

11h00: Master Class Breakouts III – Roman Theatre

Session A: Understanding Incorporation and Financing Structures in the U.S.

What are the different methods by which companies obtain financing in the United States? This work session explores jurisdictions of incorporation, licensing requirements, whether to obtain angel or venture financing and the differences between them, convertible bridge loan structures, preferred equity round structures, hot button due diligence issues for investors, employment terms and vesting requirements, and tax issues.

Mentor:

• John Bautista, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, United States

Session B: Dancing with Elephants: Contemplating Partnerships

Partnering with another company is always a careful dance, and it is especially so as young companies strive to engage with well-established organizations. This session offers a perspective to our Master Class attendees as they seek to partner with global companies, and sets expectations for the Trade Mission to Silicon Valley.

Mentor:

• Chris Shipley, Guidewire Group, United States

13h30: Lunch w/ Mentors

15h30: Master Class Breakouts IV – Roman Theatre

Session A: Tackling the Immigration Challenges

Innovate!Europe partner Orrick explains the various methods by which European founders can work in the US. This session reviews different Visas, such as O1, L1, and H1B, using case studies of recent companies and entrepreneurs who have relocated to the US.

Mentor:

• John Bautista, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, United States

Session B: Working with the Global Media

Public relations and media remain the most cost-effective marketing a young company can do. This workshop explores how startups can extend their global reach by working effectively with traditional and emerging social media outlets.

Mentors:

• Colette Ballou, Ballou Public Relations, France
• Michael Copeland, Senior Writer, Fortune Magazine, United States
• Bambi Francisco, Founder, Vator.TV, United States

(by appointment) Pitch Session Rehearsals – Teatro Principal

Competition finalists will report to the Teatro Principal to rehearse their company pitch in advance of the closing session.

18h00:  Closing Session: Meet The Entrepreneurs – Teatro Principal (open to the public)

Finalists for the 2009 Innovate!Europe Top Startup prize will present their companies in this public forum. Each entrepreneur will give a 10 minute presentation that describes the company, its unique value proposition, and its market potential.

Innovate!Honors: Entrepreneur of the Year

Innovate!Europe recognizes the achievements of the 2009 Master Class by awarding the Entrepreneur of the Year award to the one company that represents the greatest potential to out-perform in the global ITC market.

The award will be presented by Spain’s General Secretary of Innovation, The Honorable Juan-Tomas Hernani.

20h00:  Celebration and Awards Reception - Lounge, Teatro Principal

21h00:  Closing Event - Gran Hotel

Vator.tv is a place for startups to share their news and inform people of what they’re up to, either in video or short messaging. It’s a great launch-pad and marketing tool for entrepreneurs seeking exposure to the tens of thousands of investors, technology company executives and entrepreneurs who visit Vator.tv each month to find and follow hot startups.

We invite you to meet all of Innovate!Europe’s applicants as they post their video introductions to the Innovate!Europe competition on Vator.tv, and follow them as they go through the Innovate!Europe program and improve their pitching skills.

If you are ready to go global and take your startup to the next level, make sure to sign up today to take advantage of this unique opportunity. You’ll receive invaluable mentoring and guidance from Guidewire Group’s analysts while competing for the grand prize: an exclusive 90-day stay at Guidewire STUDIO, an in-residence business accelerator in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The first step in the Innovate!Europe process is to apply for one of the Going Global workshops and networking meetups that we’re hosting in cities across Europe and the Middle East in the next few weeks. New dates and locations have just been added in Tel Aviv and London, and we’ll also be in Bern, Berlin and Paris.

If you are unable to make it to one of the workshops but you still want to enter the competition, you can contact us at innovate (at) guidewiregroup (dot) com to request a phone interview to be considered for the Master Class in Spain and Trade Mission to Silicon Valley.

Before we head out again, we’re pleased to announce the finalists from the Dublin Going Global workshop. Held on February 4th with the valued support of Enterprise Ireland and Orrick, our Dublin workshop was a jam-packed day of business pitches, lively conversation and a bevy of engaging, actionable technology concepts. We found the Dublin emerging tech scene to be thriving in overdrive and there truly wasn’t a bad idea in the bunch. If you have a vested interest in the European start-up scene, make Dublin a priority on your next trip.

These eleven companies will now advance to the Master Class, to be held in Zaragoza, Spain May 4-6. Congratulations go to:

Byte Surgery/Decisions for Heroes – tools to enable emergency rescue personnel and volunteers to collect and analyze data at emergency scenes

Emergence –  SaaS application that provides real-time risk management across a range of corporate business functions

iFoods Ltd/LookandTaste.com – professionally-produced and user-generated digital video library of recipes; online video glossary of food and kitchen terms

IGoPeople – software that socially connects consumers and businesses to better build brands and enable consumer involvement in marketing

Locle – location-aware social networking tools to identify people and places on mobile devices

LouderVoice –  SaaS application that enables customers to review products and provide feedback on business sites

PutPlace – cloud storage platform for consumer PC- and Web-based digital media and information

Revahealth – online directory of health clinics, providing a detailed and normalized view of services and medical personnel

Sentry Wireless – security for mobile phone devices by providing a firewall on a SIM card. First product is a service that insures the privacy and safety of children when using mobile phones

Toddle – provides easy-to-create email marketing campaigns for small businesses, leveraging the tools with which customers are already familiar: Outlook and a browser

TouristR – interactive online travel planner that allows users to plan, book  and share their travel with an innovative search tool

Along with Guidewire Group’s analysts, these speakers and mentors will offer you training and guidance to help prepare you to compete better — not only in the Innovate!Europe competition, but in the global marketplace!

Visit the Speakers/Mentors page to learn more about some of the individuals who will be on hand at the Master Class, including Marten Mickos, David Sifry and Benoît Bergeret.

And if you haven’t applied yet to join the Innovate!Europe competition, remember to sign up before the March 25th deadline. Details on Going Global workshops and networking meetups are available here.

Check out the calendar below for details on when and where Innovate!Europe will be hosting Going Global workshops and networking meetups. Then, fill out the application to enter your startup in the Innovate!Europe competition. There is no cost to apply or to participate in the Going Global workshops, and you’ll automatically receive free promotion for your company because your logo will appear on the home page of Innovate!Europe along with other applicants.

At the Going Global workshop, you’ll receive mentoring and feedback from Guidewire Group’s renowned analyst team on how to improve your pitch and hone the skills you need to compete in fast-paced markets like Silicon Valley.

Participants in the workshops we’ve held so far have raved about the experience. Conor O’Neill of LouderVoice, called it “pure gold” and said it was “the most impressive start-up workshop I have ever encountered.”

The deadline to apply is March 25th, so sign up today for your chance to be part of Innovate!Europe. If you want to participate in the competition but can’t attend one of the workshops below, please contact us at innovate (at) guidewiregroup (dot) com to request a phone interview.

30 MARCH ‘09
Bern, Switzerland
- Going Global Workshop Apply now!
- Networking Meet-up  (RSVP required)

1 APRIL ‘09
Tel Aviv, Israel
- Going Global Workshop Apply now!
- Networking Meet-up  (RSVP required)

3 APRIL ‘09
Berlin, Germany
- Going Global Workshop Apply now!
- Networking Meet-up (RSVP required)

6 APRIL ‘09
Paris, France
- Going Global Workshop Apply now!
- Networking Meet-up (RSVP required)

8 APRIL ‘09
London, UK
- Going Global Workshop Apply now!
- Networking Meet-up (RSVP required)

Note: You don’t need to be a workshop participant to join us at one of the networking meetups. The meetups are also open to investors, journalists and other members of the entrepreneurial community. However, an RSVP is required as space is limited.

Congratulations to:

Unkasoft Advergaming - mobile advertising inside any type of mobile app

Alphasip - nanotech diagnostic medical systems

Ideas4All - global community of ideas to build the global brain

Zuppex, by SevenClick - mobile push communication platform, allowing encryption in multi-device environments

Trourist - travel social network to create and collaborate on trips

eBox Technologies - administration of corporate networks, specifically focused on SMBs

Mapalia - local social network for, ultimately, every city in the world

Cierzo - helping brands track customer feedback across the Web

Safe Creative - free online copyright registration for the digital era