Tech Transfer Award Winners and Bio Frontiers Institute
1104_ 11/7/11 - We took a trip out to Broomfield, to meet Dave Allen, Associate VP, Tech Transfer Office, University of Colorado, where he introduced us to Jim Linfield, Managing Partner at Cooley. Jim was the recipient of the Colorado Technology Infrastructure Leadership Award 2011. Really, if you spend time around the university or in the bio or clean tech communities, you know Jim - but there's more to the story. Dave Allen said the best way he could describe the award "...is acknowledgement that Jim has his fingerprints on all the things that work really well as it relates to the technology environment/infrastructure/ecosystem creating a vibrant environment for commercialization of technology..." He goes way beyond, whether it's bio science, cleantech, Boulder Innovation Center, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, Technology Transfer Advisory Board, and more. I don't think they'd be what they are without Jim, so that was basically the acknowledgement." Dave points out that Jim plays a major role in two other significant areas. He played an instrumental role in the attraction of Tom Cech back to the university about two, three years ago. He's one of the leaders in the Bio Frontiers Advisory Board and he is one of the three people on the FRA Board at Anschutz Medical Campus - both provide interesting challenges and great opportunities. Larry asked Jim for what was on the horizon. In the Bio Science area there is the Bio Frontiers Institute which will be the center of activity for the university interdisciplinary studies and Tom Cech is the head of that, the building should be completed in February on the east campus in Boulder. Jim said, "I think that will solidify CU's position as one of the leading institutions for interdisciplinary research in the life sciences area, covering both therapeutics and diagnostics but also bio fuels, so I think it will be a remarkable institution." ...Listen for much more...
Related Links: Cooley LLP || CU Technology Transfer Office || CU TTO Channel || TTO Blog || CU TTO Awards || Award Photos || Keywords: Jim Linfield, Cooley, David Allen, CU Technology Transfer Office, CU TTO, Bio Frontiers Institute, Bio Science, Cleantech, Boulder Innovation Center, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority
Listen to: Jim Linfield, Managing Partner, Cooley and Dave Allen, Associate VP, Tech Transfer Office, University of Colorado

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Captive insurance companies as a financial strategy
1106_ 11/7/11 - Retirement didn't work well for our guest, and for the past 8-10 years he's been very active on the ACG Denver Board as well as the FEI Board which is Financial Executives International a global organization for chief financial officers. We're talking with Howard Potter, the self described 'recovering lawyer and CPA’. Going back many years he was in the tax department of Touche Deloitte, then he had his own law firm for about 27 years, in the mid 90s he retired, I wonder if that counts as his first failure (failed retirement, that is). The real story for today, starts with Howard's fascination with 'captive insurance companies'. He's followed this financial strategy for many years and finally the IRS came out with what they refer to as 'safe harbor rules' providing some guidelines how these financial strategies and these insurance companies should be setup and also established. We first heard Howard talk about this at an HRO event in Denver. So in 2002 Howard got involved. Currently he has an affiliation with Artex Risk Solutions, a subsidiary of Arthur J Gallagher & Co. out of Chicago. They do not sell any insurance, they structure, form and manage captive insurance companies. The concept very briefly is that Howard's firm reviews middle market companies looking for uninsured risks. If they can find enough of these risks, qualify them and can support a premium on those risks, there are some real advantages to forming a micro captive insurance company. The risks Howard is talking about are typically of low frequency and uninsured. For example the first place they look is the current policies - at the deductibles and exclusions. The other risks are low frequency, product recall, product liability, environmental, some in terrorism, cyber risk - any type of risk that has a low frequency. Those are the natural risks to put into your own captive insurance company. What they're doing is optimizing the risk coverage for a company by keeping your existing coverage, but also having your own insurance company that insures the low frequency risks. Between these two insurance companies you gain some real advantages...Listen for more details...
Related Links: S T Consulting || Howard Potter || ACG Denver Channel || Holme Roberts & Owen || Mastering Change Book || Keywords: Howard Potter, S T Consulting, Captive Insurance Companies, Association of Corporate Growth, Denver, ACG, FEI, Financial Executives International, Artex Risk Solutions, Arthur J Gallagher - bytes=5465550
LISTEN to Howard Potter, S T Consulting

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Inventors leading the way to a better tomorrow
1101_ 10/31/11 - Coming up on November 5th, just around the corner, is an exciting event that has continually grown in importance over the past seven years, that is the DaVinci Inventors Showcase 2011. And we're back at the DaVinci Vault to talk to Tom and Deb Frey, and Andrew Frey about this year's event. Tom tells us the interesting thing about the Showcase this year is that they have more inventors coming from out of state than locally, so the word is spreading. Andrew has been working on recruiting inventors to come and share a view of a "better tomorrow". The caliber of invention continues to keep rising and there will be some amazing talent on display at this event. Deb Frey reminds us this is a wonderful family event, a great way to spend a Saturday with the family and just possibly get your children more interested in the sciences. Besides a glimpse into the future, you can talk with the actual inventors and many of the exhibitors provide an interactive experience. Larry's been one of the 'celebrity judges' for the past number of years and it's one of those events that you look forward to each year. Keynote speakers include Diana Urbine the expert on QVC with over 1500 appearances on QVC - she's worked with past winners from the Inventor's Showcase, so there are some interesting success stories coming out of this event. The other keynote speaker is Louis Foreman, founder/CEO of EdisonNation, publisher of Inventor’s Digest, and producer of the Emmy Award winning PBS series Everyday Edisons. Louis has put together a $25 Million fund specifically for inventions and three to five of the exhibitors will get personal invitations from Louis to participate in this fund. The fund is to help them develop the invention and get the product off the ground. . Attendance at this event is expected to be 700-1000, at a new venue this year, Noah's Event Center in Westminster. So be sure to register early, contact the DaVinci Institute for special family and group rates and w3w3.com's Pat and Larry will be there so be sure to stop and say "Hi"..
Related Links: DaVinci Institute || DaVinci Inventor Showcase || Amazon || Mastering Change Book || w3w3 Newsletter || Keywords: Thomas Frey, Deb Frey, Andrew Frey, DaVinci Institute, The Vault, Mastering Change, Futurist, Inventors, Entrepreneurs, Diana Urbine, QVC, Louis Foreman, Inventor’s Digest, Inventor Showcase bytes=4968179
LISTEN to: Tom, Deb & Andrew Frey, DaVinci Inventors Showcase

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Helping companies expand their business
957_ 1/24/11 - This interview was done in Jan. 2011 and Plug and Play opens its 80,000 sq. feet facility in Centennial, CO in Nov 2011. We've interviewed Vic Ahmed many times over the years and it is particularly exciting today. TiE Rockies, with Vic as president and chairman, has put together a plan for the future of TiE in Colorado. Things have dramatically changed since 2008, and Vic said, "We have to re look at the things we've done in the past and what things we could change and improve to better serve the local entrepreneurial ecosystem." Balan Nair, CTO at Liberty Global, Sureel Choksi, previously with Level3, John Kelley (past CEO, McData), Joe Zell, Grotech Ventures, along with Vic makeup the board of directors. Vic is very excited to have this dynamic and influential group who will take TiE to its next logical destination. "In this context working with the board, and an outstanding group of charter members, we've come up with a very narrowly focused plan. TiE has always done networking, mentoring and educational sessions and will continue to do those. But now we're going to have a focus around three areas. The first and foremost is, funding. We know that Colorado has been challenged with sources of funding, especially in the VC arena - We don't have that many active funds in Colorado anymore. So all the more important to find a bridge to Silicon Valley. In that context we have formed a significant relationship with Plug and Play of Silicon Valley. We're introducing a TiE 50 program where we highlight companies; and then TiE itself has a new group, TiE Angels who make early stage investments. So we are basically launching these programs for the Colorado ecosystem, to assist companies get funding, something which is in dire straits right now. So, that's the first part. The second area TiE is focusing on is helping companies expand their business. "For that", Vic said, "you only have to look at our history. Larry you have been a great supporter of TiE. But TiE has a special connection with India, because of its roots from Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. We are a powerhouse in India, and India is now the fourth largest economy. No longer is it a destination for only getting IT work done." Vic talks a great deal more about expanding. "The last focus area they've added is Cleantech. "That clearly, remains an area in which Colorado is seen as a global leader. I think it is an opportunity for us to highlight that to a national audience, not just a local audience."
Related Links: TiE Rockies || PlugandPlayTechCenter.com || Venture Capital || Podcasting Directory || In the News || Keywords: Vic Ahmed, TiE Rockies, Plug and Play Tech Center, Funding, Balan Nair, CTO at Liberty Global, Sureel Choksi, John Kelley, Joe Zell, Grotech Ventures, Colorado Ecosystem [01/24/11] 10/31/2011 bytes=7087232
Listen To: Vic Ahmed, President & Chairman, TiE Rockies

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Seminars / Keynotes

Leadership advice that is needed today
1103_ 11/7/11 - Get ready to take some notes. The ACG Denver monthly keynote was John Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CereScan Corp. He offers a great deal of advice for building and running a successful company; from funding to teams and so much more. This is a live recording of his talk. Here's a little background. John A. Kelley, Jr. has been a director of Polycom since March 2000. Mr. Kelley has served as the Chief Executive Officer of CereScan Corp., a provider of high-definition functional brain imaging, since July 2009 and as Chairman of the board of directors of CereScan since February 2009. John also served as the Chief Executive Officer of McDATA Corp., since August 2002 and as its President since August 2001 and Chief Operating Officer from August 2001 to August 2002. Mr. Kelley has more than 30 years of telecommunications experience. Mr. Kelley re-built the management team, introduced multiple products simultaneously on a global basis, acquired and integrated both private and public companies. He served as an Executive Vice President of Networks of Qwest Communications International Inc., (Qwest) from July 2000 to January 2001. Prior to the acquisition of U S WEST by Qwest, he served as Executive Vice President for U S WEST from April 1995 to June 2000. He served as President of Wholesale Markets for U S West from May 1998 to July 2000. From March 1995 to April 1998, Mr. Kelley served as Vice President and General Manager of Large Business and Government Accounts and President of Federal Services for U S West. Prior to joining U S West, Mr. Kelley served as Area President for Mead Corporation's Zellerbach Southwest Business Unit from 1991 to 1995, and has served senior positions at Xerox and NBI. Mr. Kelley serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of INROADS of Colorado. He has been the Chairman of McDATA Corp. since February 2004. He serves as the National Vice-Chairman for INROADS. He has been Director of Circadence Corporation since November 2009. He has been a Director of Aztek Networks since August 2008. He has been a Director of Polycom since March 2000. John has done so much for the business community and the community of the whole. He talks about many business issues including ethics...this is a live recording of his keynote address...
Related Links: CereScan Imaging || ACG Denver Home || ACG Denver Channel || Polycom || In the News || Keywords: John Kelley, CereScan Imaging, ACG Denver, Polycom, McData, Functional Brain Imaging, US West, Qwest, Telecommunications, Zellerbach, Circadence, Inroads - bytes=32132182
Listen to: John kelley, CEO CereScan

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The recovery has been a little bit tougher than the recession
1105_ 11/7/11 - A little over a year ago Larry promised to follow up on a company he interviewed as a winner of the Colorado Companies to Watch program. We've been keeping an eye on their progress, they've moved into a new location and we're back to check in with Judy Amabile, Co Founder and President of Product Architects also known as Polar Bottle. Product Architects make hand held hydration devices for outdoor enthusiasts and for anyone who is on the go. Their main product is Polar Bottle, an insulated water bottle they came out with in 1994. Since then they've added more products, a stainless steel bottle and a single wall plastic bottle with an innovative new cap called the half-twist cap. They've just begun selling those through retailers, but all of their products are available online. The best part of this business is that everything is manufactured here in the U.S. and proudly carries the "Made in America" stamp. With the economic challenges everyone has been facing, Larry wanted to get Judy's opinion and experience as a local business and manufacturer. Judy explained their company did well in the recession, the sporting goods industry in general did well in the recession. People went from buying a lot of high priced luxury goods to back-to-basics, fun things for the outdoors as a way of still getting out, still vacationing and still having a good time - but not spending a huge amount of money. The recovery has been a little bit tougher than the recession was. Part of what's happening is retailers are consolidating their assortment as well as consolidating the number of vendors they deal with. For a small company like Product Architects they are at risk, but that hasn't happened with any of their larger accounts - so things have been good and they're still on a growth trajectory. "But", said Judy, "we need the economy to turn around." Larry asked, "what do you think the opportunities for companies are today?" As other companies drop off there is opportunity to fill whatever that void is. There has been quite a lot of consolidation in the outdoor industry, a lot of companies buying companies. Judy says, "Being a small company with an American made product, doing manufacturing here in the United States really sets us apart from other companies." Listen, Judy shares a number of other useful points...
Related Links: Polar Bottle Web Site || Economy Builders || In the News || Colorado Companies to Watch || Keywords: Judy Amabile, Product Architects, Polar Bottle, Made in America, Hydration Devices, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Sports Authority, REI, Trek Bicycles, Dick's bytes=4881661
LISTEN to: Judy Amabile, Product Architects

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Heart valve therapy has been around for over 40 years
1100_ 10/31/11 - We're talking with Larry Blankenship, Chairman of the Board and CEO of ValveXchange and Ivan Vesely, Founder and Chief Science Officer. Dr. Vesely is a PhD. Bio Physicist who founded the company and invented this heart valve technology. Heart valve therapy has been around for over 40 years. The ValveXchange research has been supported by $2.5 Million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and others. They have a top-tier management team and a Medical Advisory Board that rivals that of established heart valve companies. Both Larry and Ivan realized that from a patient's perspective there is a serious dilemma regarding what therapy to use. A typical adult patient has a choice between a mechanical heart valve that will last the rest of his/her life or a tissue heart valve that has a limited life span and would have to be replaced later. The mechanical heart valve however, requires extremely high doses of an anti coagulant called Warfarin which has some serious side effects requiring the patient to lead a sedentary lifestyle or risk internal hemorrhage, the side effects are serious. The tissue valve, on the other hand, operates like a normal human valve and the patient has a full and active lifestyle. Depending on the patient's age, these tissue valves wear out and the patient would have to undergo another serious open heart surgery in 10 to 15 years. So those tissue valves that allow a full and active lifestyle, have traditionally been recommended to patients 65 years of age and older because of their life span matching that of the valve. Whereas younger patients who are at the prime of their life get a mechanical valve that leads them to a problematic, sedentary lifestyle. Larry recognized that problem and Dr. Vesely provided the solution. We wanted to know how ValveXchange is meeting that need. Nobody wants additional surgery, everyone is working on making the tissue valve last longer but the reality is we really can't have tissue valves that last longer than 18 years or so. So Ivan explained, "Let's turn the problem around. If it's the surgery we want to avoid, how about we make the surgery more benign. So the idea I came up with is a valve that..." Listen for much more...
Related Links: ValveXchange || BioSciences Channel || Colorado BioScience Association || CBSA Investor Partnering Conference || Keywords: Larry Blankenship, Ivan Vesely, ValveXchange, Colorado BioScience Association, CBSA, Heart Valve Technology, Mechanical Heart Valve, Open Heart Surgery - bytes=9078390
LISTEN to Larry Blankenship & Ivan Vesely, ValveXchange

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Powerful messaging starts with extensive research
1102_ 10/31/11 - We're talking with a person who has a wide range of various clients, big ones like Ball AeroSpace, all the way to and including startup entrepreneurs. Michael Hamers is the founder of LightSpeed Commercial Arts based in Boulder, Colorado for the past 20 years. Just as a disclaimer, Mike has done a lot of work for w3w3.com. He's done our logo, most of the graphics and helpful navigation on our website. We asked Michael for an overview of LightSpeed CA... Mike tells us he's had a wide range of clients and he's worked on everything from helping to publish seven books on nano technology, bio science clients, technical companies and manufacturers, even food service and healthcare. He's personally been an employee for Harley Davidson and worked for Ball Aerospace after returning to Boulder after one year, working in Australia for one client. Mike has done everything from tradeshow pieces and business cards, brochures and flyers as well as web sites. We wondered what he focuses on, and how does this work? One aspect of Mike's business and a piece that he loves is logo design. He loves the thought process, the combination of analytical and creative thinking, the creative problem solving experience to help get the message across for the client. The process involves quite a bit of research both about the company, their values and, what they want to look like in five years. He learns who their clients are and who is there competition including the competition's mark/identifiers, and he has to learn about and understand their industry. Mike said, "Yes. I have to understand the client and their goals; I really have to understand the competition - how are they already positioned right down to knowing what makes them unique - I have to know what colors and fonts they are using so that we're not colliding." Listen for much more...
Related Links: LightSpeed Commercial Arts || Economy Builders || In the News || PodCasting Directory || Keywords: Michael Hamers, LightSpeed Commercial Arts, Branding, Logos, Research, Clients, Brochures, Websites, Entrepreneurs, Tradeshow Pieces, Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers - bytes=5756868
LISTEN to Michael Hamers, Founder, LightSpeed Commercial Arts

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Achieving Your Personal and Professional Goals
933_ 11/29/10- Don't Let Another Year Go By - The Ultimate Win is Yours - Larry Nelson has taught this material in seminars in over a dozen countries, from China to Canada, from Norway to Australia, from Germany to Japan as well as throughout the USA. He shares the results of his international research about the Characteristics of an Achiever and then goes on to help you lay out your "personalized blueprint" to personal and professional success. Larry is an internationally published author, has been a consultant to many Fortune 1000 companies and is best known for his train-the-trainer programs. ...listen now a complete step-by-step program including a downloadable manual and resource guide...this is an in-depth strategic planning and goal setting system for achievers...Read More about how to Supercharge Your Business... The links below are valuable and extremely helpful to setting your course for the next year! And they're free. Related Links: Ultimate Win Resources || Training Trends || 3-Filters Technology™ || Podcasting Directory || Your Goal || Keywords: Ultimate Win, Your Goal, Training Trends, 3-Filters TechnologyTM, Setting Goals, Larry Nelson; 11/29/10 Chnl: Entrepreneurs