Re: Offshore development

SIPA -- Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association ([email protected])
Fri, 3 Jul 1998 19:46:39 -0400

Hi Folks,


It's me again. This time with some real solid news. On August 1, the
folks from Onset Ventures have organized thenselves and are ready to
give the following presentation:

Developing a Business Model:

Darlene Mann of ONSET Ventures, specialists in seed and early stage
company investments, will provide an in-depth overview to
understanding and developing business models in start-up companies.
Combining her own industry experience with the insights developed by
ONSET Ventures over 14 years of early stage investing, Ms. Mann will
discuss the issues most critical to entrepreneurs seeking to create a
new business or acquire venture financing. Topics include the
definition and value of business models, what are the critical
components of a business model, and approaches for developing a
business model.

How to Pitch to VCs Effectively:

Susan Mason of ONSET Ventures will lead a detailed and down-to-earth
discussion with information and advice regarding
approaching, pitching and working with venture capitalists to secure
funding. Building on wide experience as a marketing executive in high
technology companies and as a business development consultant working
with early stage companies prior to joining ONSET Ventures in 1996,
Ms. Mason will provide insights into the venture capital industry and
how it works, including venture fund structure, segmentation among
firms, decision-making criteria and the process of acquiring capital.


I have spoken to the powers-that-be in SIPA and have got their full
fledged support. At this time we are trying to get the HP Auditorium
at Santa Clara and tentatively the event will be scheduled from 4 to 7
p.m. Now just to remind you that Aug 1 is a Sat. Also the plan is to
make it free for SIPA members and $5 for non-members (free for those
who become members on the spot).

Onset Ventues is fully committed to making this event a success.
Additionally they will also be taking in inquiries for possible
funding and I think this is a great opportunity for all you folks to
get your say.

Hopefully this is just a start. From the wholehearted support I have
received I have the following plans for future events:

a) As I mentioned earlier there is the germ of an idea of starting a
Ventcap fund, wherein smaller investors put in their investments in a
fund which will be invested in ventures started by members. This idea
is very much on the cards. On my personal front I plan to shift my
residence to the famous SandHill road area in order to be able to
spend some weekend time networking with VC firms.

b) In the last SIPA meeting wherein I announced the Aug 1 event i also
recived inquiries from two gentlemen who were willing to help organize
this event. This is fully appreciated and I will be getting in touch
with you'll over the next few days indicating the help you'll will be
able to provide. Again thank you !!!

c) I also realised that we have on the SIPA Ventcap list a few
marketing and sales experts, namely Dinesh Bajaj, who gave a talk on
the 7 habits of highly effective people and Purvee Christie, who runs
almost single-handedly, a successful radio show(among a zillion other
things) right here in the Bay Area. Additionally I cannot recollect
all the names off hand(for which I do apologise), but there are many
more in our midst. But to all of you'll I strongly urge to show up at
this event, becase my research shows that most successful
entrepreneurs, namely Samir Arora and Anu Shukla, were strong
marketing and sales people in the first case. Additionally you'll can
provide us some insights on how to successfully market and sell firms
and products. So even if the actual event starts at 4.00 p.m., I
request people to start showing up at 3.00 p.m., so that we can
network and learn off each other.

d) In fact I have almost planned the next event, which would be an
informal luncheon at Sorovar Restaurant/or any other wherin we can
have a networking meeting. The provisional date is early September/end
August.

e) So here's to the start of big things at the Ventcap SIG and two of
the proverbs, which again come form my tennis playing days, come to
mind viz:


--- IF YOU GIVE UP YOUR DREAMS YOU DIE--------
----IT'S TIME I'M READY - LET THE GAMES BEGIN-----

f) Finally my thanks to the Executive Group at SIPA for supporting the
endeavour of the Ventcap group, which will be further cemented by
you'll showing up for this event, and not in the least thanks to
you'll for putting up with my e-mails . Now for the show on Aug
1.........


P.S. I will give you'll a weekly progress of events.


Regards,

Vivek Kumar
e-mail: [email protected]
ph:415-951-7526