After the tech meltdown years, the last 18 months saw new wave of investments and acquisitions fueling further momentum and cash into the investor’s coffers. The question is: Is this wave likely to continue and if so, where are the investments likely to follow?
We have assembled a team of expert VCs with a focus on investing in Software, Semi-conductors, Biotech and Cleantech. Join a team of leading venture capitalists as they discuss and debate on what they are going to bet on in 2007 and beyond. They will share their insights into what is hot and what’s not and on what untapped opportunities exist for entrepreneurs. Topics of discussion include:
- What are the “hot segments” or “hot applications” with in IT, Communications and biotech that are attracting attention of the investors?
- Where’s Sacramento headed in terms of tech investments?
- How much money is sitting on the sidelines, waiting to be invested?
- Where in the world will it go – US, India, China, somewhere else?
- How has the fundraising climate changed?
- What are the key trends affecting private companies and their investors?
Speakers Bios
Panelist Bios
Harry Laswell, Managing Director, American River Ventures
 Harry Laswell co-founded American River Ventures after working for 21 years inside one of the world's leading technology companies - Intel Corporation. Prior to American River Ventures, Harry was a Managing Director at Intel Capital, where he managed a team that invested over $200 million in 41 companies - -nine of these companies had successful IPOs. Before joining Intel Capital, Harry held marketing management and general management positions in a number of Intel business units. He was responsible for conceiving and launching new products that generated over $1 billion in annual revenues. While at Intel, he received the Intel Achievement Award, Intel's highest honor. Harry's current board memberships include Agoura Technologies, KeyEye Communications, PocketThis, and WiSpry.
Jim Schraith , DFJ Frontier
 Jim Schraith is a Venture Partner of DFJ Frontier. He is an active angel investor in the Sacramento area and sits on the boards of several area early stage companies. Mr. Schraith's career in high technology spans 25 years and includes significant public and private company experience with operating roles of CEO, COO and EVP at Quantum, ShareWave, Compaq and AST Research. As the leader of Compaq's North American operations, he was responsible for over $10 billion in annual revenues and a team of over 6,000 people. At AST, Mr. Schraith was President & COO and a member of the team that took AST to the Fortune 500 list in 1992. He sits on the boards of Semtech Corporation, VisualCalc, Scope iT, eCullet and Sierra Logic. Mr. Schraith co-founded QTV Capital, a Bay area venture capital fund, in early 2000
Steven Fry, General Partner, Biomedical Innovations
 Dr. Stephen M. Fry has over 20 years of experience in the Medical Technology sector as former Head of R&D and CTO of Volcano Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VOLC), as founder and CEO of SBDI, a leading Medical Technology consulting firm with over 100 clients, as founder and CEO of TomoTherapeutics, Inc. and IntraVascular Medical, Inc. (EndiCOR Medical, acquired by EV3), as General Manager of the Medical Laser Center of Baxter Healthcare Corp., and as Director of Business Development for American Hospital Supply Corp.(Baxter Healthcare). He has published more than 50 papers and book chapters, and authored or co-authored more than a dozen books on medical devices. Dr. Fry has a B.S. in Physics, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Quantum Electronics from U.C.L.A., and an M.B.A. in Financial Analysis from National University.
Kevin Kelso, Shareholder, Weintraub, Genshlea & Chediak – Moderator for the panel
 Kevin Kelso is a shareholder of Weintraub Genshlea Chediak in Sacramento. He is the head of the firm’s business, securities and commercial transactions department, practicing primarily in the areas of business, corporate and securities. He has worked with both private and public companies in a wide variety of industries. His practice includes start-up company representation and financing, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and advising companies regarding federal and state corporate and securities matters. He also regularly advises clients concerning general corporate matters such as employment matters, equity incentive plans, financing strategies, licensing transactions and corporate governance. He was Vice Chair for Legislation of the Section’s Corporations Committee during 1995-1996 and was Co-Chair of the Corporations Committee during 1996-1997. He is the author of several articles on corporate and securities topics and has been a speaker at many education programs, including the Practicing Law Institute program California on recent California corporate law developments.
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