Silver and Gold Venture Capital Conference opens doors to entrepreneurial funding
With much concern focused on the health of our global financial systems in past weeks, businesses of all sizes are wondering what impact Wall Street’s ongoing woes will have on them. If large companies are struggling to obtain or refinance commercial loans, what chance does the unproven entrepreneur have to gain access to startup capital?
Enter the Eighth Annual Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference to be held in Reno on Oct. 21. Hosted by NCET — Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Golden Capital Network, the Sierra Angels, the Reno Angels and the Vegas Valley Angels, this conference brings together one of the largest western U.S. gatherings of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and policymakers.
The conference is one element of NCET’s strategy to increase access by Nevada companies to risk capital. Allow me to explain why this is so important.
While Nevada is often recognized as one of the most entrepreneurial states in the nation, Silver State entrepreneurs are often challenged by the fact that Nevada’s constitution prevents the state from creating any type of entrepreneurial investment fund which could invest in, or loan money to, private businesses. Adding to the challenge is Nevada’s current lack of any major venture capital firms.
Nevada is, however, home to the three active “Angel” investment groups co-presenting the Silver & Gold conference. Angel investors are people who invest in high risk/high reward businesses and are often interested in sharing their experience and expertise with other entrepreneurs. Angel investors typically invest a total of $25,000 to $50,000 each year, and aggregate their individual investments with other angel group members to make more substantial investments in the range of $150,000 to $1.5 million. Participants in this event will have the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to get an Angel to fund their idea.
Now in its eighth year, the Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference has a proven track record for helping bring local start-up companies to life. Black Rock Systems, Pindi Products, Pria Diagnostics and Understand.com are just a few of the well-known and successful Greater Reno-Tahoe start-ups which are among the success stories of this valuable conference.
In addition, the Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference is designed as a forum for sharing knowledge, building relationships and teaching companies how to effectively present their business plans to willing, qualified investors. While the numbers still are growing, we’re currently anticipating attendance of more than 40 CEOs from innovative early- stage companies; 50 to 100 venture capitalists and angel investors; leading professional service providers; and entrepreneurship public policy advocates at this year’s conference. More information on this year’s conference here.