In my role as a leader of the Orange County alumni group (the Graziadio Alumni Network), and in my general interest in staying in close contact with students and alumni, I'm focused on rounding up as many entrepreneurs (and what I call "∫would-be" entrepreneurs) within our alumni and student base. This is worthwhile not just because it supports the school's burgeoning entrepreneurship offerings–although having great support from alumni entrepreneurs will become key in offering a really unique program. It's also of personal interest to try to connect the entrepreneurs among us (those who have started or are leading businesses, who are planning to, and even who work for start-ups and growth companies)!
In early January, for example, I gathered up a small group of Entrepreneurial Leaders, as I call them for a working session at the Irvine campus. The focus was strictly on these entrepreneurs helping each other tackle tough business issues. It was very rewarding for me to moderate that session- I would've paid to be a fly on the wall in that room.
Alexander Haislip
Another opportunity for entrepreneurs to get involved is next Tuesday, February 23, at our event, How to Raise Venture Capital for a Tech Start-up. It will feature a robust panel representing several different forms of VC firms- a captive fund, a regional fund and a venture accelerator.
Alexander Haislip, Sr. Editor of Thomson Reuters' Venture Capital Journal, will be joining us again; he was the highly entertaining moderator of our October 2008 private equity panel. The panel of VCs includes Eghosa Omoigui, Intel Capital; Marc Averitt, Okapi Venture Capital; and Stu MacFarlane, Momentum Venture Management, and CEO of iChange.com.
This event will be great learning for the entrepreneurs, financiers and business leaders among us. The entry is only $20 for students and alumni. Some space still remains so please click to register below, and email me if you have any questions.
Hope to see you there. Thanks.
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