The Venture Forum - Past Event Video Recaps

Creative Ideas Abound at Innovation Fair

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:00 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

The innovation fair held at The Venture Forum’s January 14 meeting was a festive and informative affair. More than a dozen companies displayed prototypes, models or already-launched products. Two of the exhibitors addressed the group, describing their journeys to date, followed by two panelists with years of experience financing early stage companies. Read the recap.

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Personalized Medicine

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 5:30 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

The audience was informed about the state of Personalized Medicine today and how it will increasingly impact our lives. Read the recap.

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2013 Business Plan Contest

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 5:30 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

A biotech company offering a novel approach to osteoarthritis treatment has won The Venture Forum’s 2013 Business Plan Contest. A panel of four judges selected the start up for the $10,000 prize offered by The Venture Forum, with additional in-kind support. The event was held November 12th on the WPI campus.

Business Plan Contest Winner

Business Plan Contest First Round Winners

More About the Judges - 2013 Business Plan Contest

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How to Be a Lean Startup, Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Tuesday, October 08, 2013 5:00 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

Three area entrepreneurs shared their experiences about how to start a new venture using the strategy outlined by author Eric Ries in his 2011 book, The Lean Startup.

October 2013 meeting recap.pdf

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Visions of Growth

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 5:00 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

The Venture Forum kicked off its new season in high gear, with former Lt. Governor and Worcester Chamber president Tim Murray delivering a rousing address on Worcester’s current growth trajectory. The case study was presented by Jordan Fliegel, founder and CEO of Coachup.com.

September 2013 meeting recap.pdf

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Go-to-Market: Market, Sell or Perish

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:46 PM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

May’s Venture Forum was the final – and some might say, most critical – part of our four-part series designed to help entrepreneurs map a road to success. The event featured two keynote speakers with very different backgrounds and experience providing their own unique insights into what it takes to sell successfully in a highly competitive marketplace.

May 2013 TVF Meeting Summary

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Building the Executive Team

Tuesday, April 09, 2013 9:25 AM | Danielle Festa (Administrator)

April’s Venture Forum addressed the crucial topic of how to build a solid executive team to successfully grow a start-up company. As the third part in a four-part series on how to launch an entrepreneurial enterprise, this event featured two keynote presentations from two different perspectives - that of a CEO and a human resources leader - provided by experienced and well-respected life science and technology entrepreneurs, Michael Walsh and Wes Davis. The case study was presented by David Smith, CEO of Oneighty oC Technologies Corporation.

April 2013 Meeting Summary.pdf

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Winners of the 5-Minute Pitch Contest, Standing Room Only

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 4:37 PM | Deleted user

A record, standing room only crowd of over 250 people attended to view posters of the top entrants and learn about the innovation economy first-hand as the finalists made their five-minute pitches.

The winner of the Poster contest was Freight Farms. Congratulations Brad McNamara and Becca Liebman. The winner of the Audience Choice Award was the Bounce Imaging team. Congratulations to Francisco Aguilar and Aaron Kent. The winner of the Judges' Choice Award was Trovare, Inc.. Congratulations to Fabrizio Filipini and Sean Eliseev.

5MP news summary.pdf