Agenda

Learn how to transform business startups into profitable companies and train profitable enterprises to become entrepreneurial machines with Bill Joos, Vice President of Entrepreneur Development for Silicon Valley's Garage Technology Ventures.

7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Registration & Networking Continental Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15 a.m. Welcome & Introductions
Speaker: TechPoint and Local Host(s)

8:15 - 9:15 a.m. Workshop One: Perfecting Your Positioning & Brand
Speaker: Bill Joos, Garage Technology Ventures
Before you can pitch your company to raise funds or attract strategic partners and alliances, you've got to perfect your positioning. This workshop will provide you with a systematic approach to help you better determine your all important market definition, value proposition and brand.

9:20 -10:00 a.m. Bridging the Commercialization Gap
Panel moderated by Bill Joos
Panelists include, Jerry Arthur, President of Cook Pharmica, LLC; Geoffrey Fox, Director of Grid Labs; Marty Siegel, Founder, WisdomTools and IU Informatics Professor; Angie May, Analytical Engineering.

10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Break

10:15- 11:00 a.m. Workshop Two: Perfecting Your Pitching & Presentation
Speaker: Bill Joos, Garage Technology Ventures
Learn how to craft the best possible pitch in the shortest possible time. This session will take you through the process of creating and delivering a compelling elevator pitch, executive summary and company overview presentation.

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Panel - Local Heroes
Panel moderated by Betsy Gatewood, Johnson Center
Panelists include, Matt Streibel, Dimension Furniture; Robert "Mack" McCormack, Author House; Dick Johnson, Founder Big Foot Chain; Amy Lutes, General Manager Guerbet LLC.

11:45 - Noon Break

12:00 - 1 p.m. Lunch/ Workshop Three: Ten Biggest Mistakes in Business Plans Speaker: Bill Joos, Garage Technology Ventures
The business plan is the most important document you'll write as an entrepreneur or established business. It can be the ticket to funding and interest from potential clients. Learn what NOT to do. Cut to the chase and develop a hard-hitting, compelling business case for your company.

1 p.m. Conclude