The next Business Opportunity Form is Thursday,  June 28, 2012 beginning at 12:30 pm.   We would love to have you attend.   Reno continues to attract attention.   We have presenters from all over the country as well as our local Startups.  This months presenters are:

1. Curb System, LLC (CS) has developed a patent pending parking asset management system called “Curb System” that generates recurring revenue streams by automating vehicle parking, securing/renting bicycles, delivering advertising and promoting local commerce in municipal, university, transit and private enterprise venues.  This is a Reno based startup with their parking system installed in downtown Reno.
2. Op-Test is a global HBLED production test and measurement leader that provides high visibility in test data flow through our integrated HBLED and SSL parametric production solutions.  Our solutions are used at wafer test, packaged, incoming inspection, and final test stages and include analog binning solutions, calibration tools, wafer-mapping and software packages.  Beyond servicing HB-LED and Solid State Light (SSL) manufacturers, our customers are found globally in the architectural, biomedical, signage and entertainment industries
3. TBD

Inaugural Nevada event, entitled “High Impact Innovation”, at the Desert Research Institute on June 25th.  The event will feature a panel of local CEOs and business leaders, an exceptional keynote speaker, drinks, appetizers, and plenty of opportunities to network.

“INNOVATING EVERY DAY” – Guest Speaker:  Holly Green

During this fast-paced, high-energy presentation, Holly will outline how you can incorporate a spirit of innovation into almost everything you do. This action-packed session focuses on:

• Exploring why & how our success gets us stuck
• Exposing our current decision making and thinking processes
• How to ask the right questions to drive results
• Changing our thinking to get clear on what is possible
• Unlearning tried and true innovation eradicators
• Practicing innovation techniques, including:
• Balance the big picture and the details (video)
• Focus on a target (hands on application)
• Change your perspective (exercise)
• Question the right answer (video)
• Expose yourself – to diverse data and your thinking process (checklist)

The session will enable you to see the world in a multitude of ways so that innovation becomes an everyday activity – not just something you do when you are brainstorming with a team. Participants will walk away with techniques that can be put into practice immediately to achieve your desired business results. Attendees will also receive a 12 week series of weekly email follow up materials to support you in cultivating the habit of innovation.

Globalization means a world of opportunities. In today’s global market place, organizations can no longer afford to ignore off-shore markets and partnerships. As the companies consider expanding or collaborating/partnering with off-shore entities, they have to thread the differences in legal concepts and laws in an informed manner. This may include choice of venue and methods for conflict resolution, as well as substantive laws such as those regarding vertical agreements. Our distinguished panel of international practitioners will discuss what it takes to achieve success, with a special emphasis on contractual agreements and cultures.

MODERATOR

Soody Tronson, Founder and Principal at STLGIP

PANELISTS

Paulo Lilla, Professor of International Business Law at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas Business School, presents “Legal Aspects of Distributor Agreements and IP Licensing in Brazil”

Dr. Marek Salamonowicz, Adjunct Chair of Commercial Law in Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), presents “Current Trends in EU Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation”

Bruce Scott, CEO/Principal of ILG, presents “Practical’s of Outsourcing and Doing Business in China”

Steve Wilson, Head of Osborne Clarke’s office in Silicon Valley, presents “Legal Issues to Consider When Doing Business in Europe”

SCHEDULE

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Registration and Networking buffet lunch

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Program

REGISTRATION

Early, by Friday, June 15, 2012, 9 PM

LES Members: $45

Non-Members: $50

After Friday, June 15, 2012, 9 PM

LES Members: $50

Non-Members: $55

Register online at:

http://www.lesusacanada.org/svc

Online Registration Deadline: Monday, June 18, 12 PM

After June 18, contact James House, siliconvalleywriting@gmail.com

CANCELLATION POLICY

No refunds after Friday, June 15, 2012

Substitutions are permitted

While there is certainly a needed to have a healthy balance between “sticking to your guns and “caving in to the old guy”, there is a time and a place for listening. If you have to choose one side or the other, it is often best to listen first, and then proceed. No one knows everything and we can often learn far more, if we just stop for a few minutes and listen. Even as old as I am, I learn something new most every day…and often from someone far younger than I am. Investors want to know that when they place cash in your hands, you will listen to advice and not quickly spend “their” money. Coachability equals respect for the time, money, and advice that others entrust in your hands.

Start up, high technology companies are frequently on the lookout for access to federal funding opportunities. Most of these funds are available on a competitive basis. Effectively written proposals are the key to succeeding in these competitions.  In an effort to help entrepreneurs and technology developers to increase Nevada’s success rate in these competitions, the Nevada Small Business Development Center at the University of Nevada, Reno is offering a June 11^th workshop designed to show entrepreneurs and senior personnel how to win federal Small Business Innovation Research Program awards from the agencies that offer these grants.

Eleven SBIR agencies award $2.5 billion annually in grants through two phases. In the first phase, up to $150,000 is provided to do feasibility studies. In phase two, as much as a $1.5 million is provided to support further research and development.

The instructor, John Davis, works actively with government contractors and aerospace firms in numerous states to acquire federal funding. In addition to achieving national recognition as an SBIR consultant, he has more than 30 years of industrial experience as a research engineer, and research and development manager. The workshop is designed to train attendees on how to win funding, not just how to write a proposal.

This one day workshop will include discussions of strategic planning, pre-proposal homework, proposal development, and cost accounting.  Due to the material’s depth and need for personal attention, this workshop is limited to 25 attendees.

Each attendee receives a 100-page, take-home workbook with many valuable references, resources and inclusions for follow-through when submitting.   Registration includes lunch, break refreshments and a reception following the workshop.SBIR applications.

Sponsors include EDWAN, the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy (NIRECP, the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology  (NCET) among other agencies.