By Allan Maurer
RESEARCH TRIANGLE, NC—Do you have an idea for a technology product or helm a fledgling tech company needing capital? If so this is for you: Calling All Entrepreneurs, an open-door invitation to any technology entrepreneur to run an idea or business plan by a venture capitalist—and this time around, serial entrepreneur Scot Wingo of ChannelAdvisor—returns to the Research Triangle Friday, Sept. 28.
This is the third time that Jason Caplain of Southern Capitol Ventures, an RTP-based venture capital firm, has spearheaded a Calling All Entrepreneurs event. You can find Techjournal South’s story about the first event, including results, here: http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=2866; and the TJS story about the second, held in Atlanta, here: http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=3188.
Caplain says, “We are inviting any technology entrepreneur to come by and meet for 15 minutes (10 presentation and 5 minutes of Q&A). To match our firm’s interests, the industry focus needs to be either software, e-commerce, digital media, wireless or healthcare IT.”
Scot Wingo, president and CEO of ChannelAdvisor will be participating. “I think this addition is important because now the entrepreneur will get feedback from both a VC and from one of the most experienced entrepreneurs in our market,” says Caplain.
“Scot is on our technology advisory board and we have been meeting locally with a few entrepreneurs that one or both of us are excited about. Wingo has a lot of experience raising venture capital from firms like ours, NEA, ATV, Kodiak and eBay. I really like his style… very entrepreneurial friendly.
“So, we both look forward to working together on this. He understands how hard it is to raise money, has met a lot of venture capitalists over the years and gives a lot of tips on how to revise and refine their pitch to investors.
“He has a lot of patience and shares all the secrets of what’s helped him raise capital. He has really good business instincts and offers incredible tips on everything from formatting a presentation to how to address a VC.”
ChannelAdvisor has become one of the largest SaaS companies in our region and has six offices worldwide. Wingo has an impressive background having sold two companies (Stingray for $18 million, and AuctionRover for $180 million). ChannelAdvisor has raised $66 million in venture backing and expects to top $30 million in revenue this year.
Caplain encourages entrepreneurs to come forward whether their company already has a few million in revenue or if they’re still in college nurturing an idea.
“It’s a chance to be heard. We want to make sure everyone is aware that there is capital out there, whether they’re people at big local tech companies or still in college.”
He says the chief thing an entrepreneur should think about prior to presenting, is “what makes your idea or company unique and how you plan to build a company.”
Caplain says Southern Capitol Ventures will continue holding Calling All Entrepreneur events so long as entrepreneurs show interest. “I like the process,” he says. “It lets us meet a lot of new people.” In the previous two events, the VCs involved heard about 30 presentations and 50 entrepreneurs each time.
Caplain and Wingo will each pick one company from the group to spend a morning with it at a later date and help the entrepreneur involved refine a pitch and “think through their business or idea even more.”
Sign up info: see story on Jason Caplain’s blog at www.southeastvc.com
On the Web: www.southerncapitolventures.com
Southeast Venture Conference, February 29 – March 1, 2012 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, VA – Where Smart Money Meets Smart People.
www.seventure.org
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