128 Innovation Capital Group

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 27, 2012, 7:30 - 10 AM at the
Enterprise Center at Salem State University, 121 Loring Ave., Salem, MA

How Much Money is Too Much... Or Too Little?

Companies seeking funding from VCs or angel investors need to have a good sense of how much money they’re looking for…and the repercussions of asking for too much or too little. In this workshop, investors will talk about how to figure out the appropriate amount to ask for, how to make the “ask,” what kinds of materials to present, and the upsides and downsides of asking for too much or too little. Panelists: Eben Moulton, Managing Partner, Seacoast Capital, Richard Noyes, President, Bartlett Associates LLC and Beacon Angels

Thursday, May 10, 2012, 7:30 - 10 AM at the
IBM Innovation Center, 404 Wyman St., Waltham, MA

Jack Derby, Chairman of Common Angels and Jerry Bird, President of the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) debate:

Whose Money Should I Take - Angel or Venture Capitalist?

In a heated Point-Counterpoint discussion, veteran angel investor, Jack Derby, Chairman of Common Angels, and long-time venture capital investor, Jerry Bird, President of Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) will spar off on the long debated issues surrounding the question of “Where should I look for investors-angels or venture capitalists?”

This highly interactive session will pit two veterans in equity investing, each with 20 plus years of experience in early stage companies of all types, against one another to debate the positives and negatives of investing with friends & family, experienced and inexperienced angels and institutional venture investors. With a united common goal of providing early stage entrepreneurs with the best advice, Jerry and Jack will provide their insight based on lots of successes and an equal number of battle scars as to what’s the best for you as you think through your fundraising options.

Jack Derby
Jack is extremely active in the New England emerging and middle market business communities. Currently, he is an active member and Chairman of Common Angels. CommonAngels is Boston’s largest and most active seed stage investment group. Through its angel network and investment funds, CommonAngels works with outstanding entrepreneurs in building innovative information technology companies. A trusted partner to entrepreneurs, the group works closely with founding teams in the early stages of company building.

Jack has been named to Mass High Tech’s All Star Team. Additionally, he was Chairman of the MIT Enterprise Forum, Vice Chair of the Smaller Business Association of New England, President of the University Club of Boston and a 12 year Chairman of the Association for Corporate Growth of Boston. Corporately, Jack is currently a Director at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Accounting Management Solutions, The Alliance Companies, Brainshark Corporation, Common Angels, Research Frontiers, Rome Snowboards and Ntirety Inc. Jack has been an active board member and angel investor in a large number of other companies including Beacon Hospice, Hybricon, EarCheck, Profile Systems, and Spryance.

Prior to forming Derby Management, a management consulting firm specializing in both emerging and middle market growth companies, in 1990, Jack’s background included positions as CEO of Mayer Electronics Corporation, President of CB Sports, President of Litton Industries Medical Systems, CEO of Datamedix Corporation and Executive Vice President of Becton Dickinson Medical Systems.

Jack is a graduate of Boston College, the University of Chicago and the United States Peace Corps.

Jerry Bird
Jerry has over 24 years of investing and financial experience. He currently is a board member or board observer at Forerun, Illume, lifeIMAGE, and uTest.

Before joining MTDC, Mr. Bird was President of Boston-based Claflin Capital Management, which he joined as a general partner in 1996. While at Claflin, Mr. Bird led over a dozen investments in early-stage technology companies. He was on the boards of e-Travel, Inc., which subsequently merged with VA Linux, LinkSoft Technologies, NexCen Technologies, and Bitpipe, Inc. Prior to joining Claflin Capital Management, he spent 10 years at Bank of Boston in the energy and emerging markets investment banking divisions.

Mr. Bird received both a BA and an MBA degree from Dartmouth College. He is also on the board of Massachusetts Audubon, Crossroads for Kids, and the Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Land.

The Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation, a leading edge venture capital firm that addresses the "capital gap" for start-up and expansion of early-stage technology companies operating in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MTDC has invested in many of Massachusetts' most promising new technology-based companies.

Thursday, June 14, 2012, 7:30 - 10 AM at the
IBM Innovation Center, 404 Wyman St., Waltham, MA

The Piranha Pond Pitch Party

It's Baaaack! More info will be available at www.piranhapond.com in mid-May.