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Debra Filtzer |
Anne H. Wein |
Finalists Selected for Springboard: Southeast 2002
Women-led, High Growth Companies Will Present at September 27 Event
July 11, 2002, Research Triangle Park, NC - The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) announced today the selection of women entrepreneur finalists to present their business plans to hundreds of venture capitalists at the first-ever southeastern regional Springboard: Southeast 2002 forum in Chapel Hill, N.C. on September 27. Springboard Enterprises and the Research Triangle-based Council for Entrepreneurial Development are co-hosting the forum, which will allow participants to take part in a program that to date has helped women-led companies raise more than $750 million.
Springboard is a national program that prepares and assists women entrepreneurs in gaining access to the equity markets while generating quality investment opportunities for the region's investors. The finalists for the Southeast forum, representing biotechnology, software, information technology and new media sectors, were selected from an impressive field of candidates recruited from Florida to Maryland. More biotech companies were selected from this region to participate in Springboard than ever before, reflecting the Southeast's strength in the industry.
"We're thrilled with the outstanding quality of the applicants we received for Springboard," said Monica Doss, president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, the regional co-sponsor for the program. "CED has made a strong commitment to increase our support for women entrepreneurs, and we are confident that Springboard will accomplish that goal. In addition to the access to the nation's private investment community, presenters will take away tremendous knowledge and experience from the intensive coaching process."
Springboard: Southeast 2002 participants undergo a six-week preparatory process that includes a "Bootcamp" on July 23, to be held at Cisco Systems in Research Triangle Park. The Bootcamp offers delivery coaching and training on the key elements of a venture capital presentation. The coaches, including investors, business professionals and entrepreneurs, are drawn from technology companies and venture capital firms, and offer valuable insights on pitching to investors.
In addition to the coaches, panelists including Christy Shaffer, Inspire Pharmaceuticals; Jessica Duda, Polaris Ventures; Debra Hylton, Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice; and Sallie Shuping Russell, Intersouth Partners will offer their industry expertise. Participating entrepreneurs will also practice 60-second pitches to explain their markets, their competitors, and why investors should invest in their company. In addition, the Bootcamp provides presenters with valuable contacts to local resources and service providers.
Following the Bootcamp, the entrepreneurs work with their assigned coaches for eight weeks in preparation for the Forum. A final review session is scheduled for September 10, when the entrepreneurs will practice their presentation before a panel of investors. On September 26, the final presenters will prepare their booths and be featured at a Kick Off Reception. At the Forum the next day, the entrepreneurs will present their businesses to an audience of investors with the hope of raising the capital they will need to grow their enterprises.
The host partner for the forum is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School. In addition, top-level sponsors include:
Partners
Womble Carlyle
RBC Centura
Kenan-Flagler Business School
Supporters
Cisco Systems
Price McNabb
PricewaterhouseCoopers
r+m Creative
Contributors
Comerica
The Digital Curve
First Union/Wachovia
truepilot
Inspire Pharmaceuticals
Storr Office Environment
Exhibit Resources
Intersouth Partners
About Springboard Enterprises
Springboard Enterprises, based in Washington, D.C., is a national, non-profit
venture dedicated to increasing women's participation in the equality capital
markets as both entrepreneurs and investors. Springboard Enterprises' unique
programming includes targeted education and coaching programs, strategic connections
with investors and business development professionals, community building efforts
and venture capital forums that showcase women entrepreneurs. Visit Springboard
at www.springboardenterprises.org.
About CED
The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (www.cednc.org),
located in Research Triangle Park, N.C. is a private, non-profit organization
formed in 1984 to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies
in the greater Research Triangle region. As one of the nation's oldest and largest
entrepreneurial support organizations, CED provides education, mentoring and
capital formation resources to new and existing high-growth entrepreneurial
management and finance.