COIN hosts Risk vs. Reward: Financing early-stage, emerging technologies

Jun 30, 2011
COIN hosts Risk vs. Reward: Financing early-stage, emerging technologies
(Nanowerk News) The Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN) has announced the upcoming NanoBio Executive Roundtable event to be hosted at The Hawthorne Inn in Winston-Salem, NC on July 14, 2011. This Roundtable will address a significant hurdle to nanobiotechnology development and commercialization—early-stage funding. The "Risk vs. Reward: Financing Early-Stage, Emerging Technologies" brings together a panel of seasoned investors and entrepreneurs to discuss the risk involved in investing in early-stage platform nanobiotechnologies. The panelists will also discuss how entrepreneurs in this space can more effectively approach the appropriate investors to accelerate commercialization.
The expert panelists include Scott Albert, a former Venture Partner with Aurora Funds and now with Centice, who just announced a $2.3m round of funding. Christy Shaffer, a former CEO of Inspire Pharmaceuticals and recently joined as a Venture Partner and Managing Director at Hatteras Venture Partners, an early stage fund for life sciences. Steven Walsh, an experienced serial entrepreneur at the University of New Mexico and founder of MANCEF. Mr. Walsh has raised over $200m for several nanotechnology related ventures in recent years. This panel will be moderated by Andy Dreyfuss, a Fund Executive at the Winston Salem based Piedmont Angel Network, who has invested in nanotechnology companies like Protochips.
This NanoBio Executive Roundtable event series offers executives and entrepreneurs of North Carolina-based nanobiotechnology companies and others involved in this exciting field an opportunity to discuss key business issues and build relationships. In total, the previous four Roundtables have attracted over 500 attendees from eight states. "The COIN Roundtable events provide unique opportunities to meet and interact with the movers and shakers of Nanobiotech in NC...an event you can't miss" -Anil Goyal, President, CEO, Qualiber Inc.
COIN coordinates these Roundtables to stimulate dialogue in the community and be a catalyst for relationship-building that is critical for accelerating the commercialization of nanobiotechnology. COIN is a non-profit that is a single point of entry into the nanobiotech community and offers high-value programs and services that are designed to help accelerate innovation management and new product development and commercialization in the area of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine.
Risk vs. Reward: Financing Early-Stage, Emerging Technologies is a key topic of discussion for the growing nanobiotechnology sector. COIN has invited these experts to discuss the critical issue of funding for emerging technologies. Without appropriate early-stage funding that allows continued development , many promising emerging technologies are at risk of running out of resources. The NanoBio Executive Roundtable event will be held at the Hawthorne Inn (420 High Street, Winston-Salem, NC) on July 14, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, with registration opening at 5 pm. Attendees will also enjoy a gala networking reception that facilitates connections that lead to collaborations and new business relationships. There are several generous sponsors for the NanoBio Executive Roundtable series, including RTI International, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP (MBHB), MEMSCAP, and Grant Thornton. Prasidiux has generously sponsored the networking reception at this Risk vs. Reward: Financing Early-Stage, Emerging Technologies event and RTI International sponsored speaker travel.
To register for this free event, please visit http://riskvsrewardjuly.eventbrite.com/.
About COIN
COIN is a nonprofit organization that accelerates commercialization of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine to enable economic growth and improve human life. North Carolina is a leader in these fields and in related new product innovation and entrepreneurship. Established with funding from the NC Biotechnology Center, COIN represents a targeted state resource to encourage development of commercial applications of nanobiotechnology in key life science and medical product sectors. COIN provides a framework to boost the profile, funding, and management of the important work occurring in nanobiotechnology in the state, with the ultimate goal being commercialization. COIN's programs and services address key issues of its clients such as early-stage funding, preclinical testing, technology scouting, and industry partnering. For more information, visit www.nanobiotech.org.

Source: COIN