2004 Archived Meetings
January 22, 2004
Technology Sure to Stun You
…and a farm that’ll blow you away
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Edward Sawyer, S B E, Inc.
S B E, Inc., which does business under the name S B Electronics, was formerly Sprague Electric Capacitor located in Barre, Vermont.
Building and designing film capacitors for the electronics industry since 1946, the company has been quietly developing leading edge capacitor technology over the past few years and is now manufacturing a new line of pulse technology capacitors. It is the sole source supplier of this technology to Taser International, the world leader in Stun Guns.
Growth Company Showcase
East Haven Windfarm
East Haven Windfarm is a proposed renewable energy venture for the generation of electricity in Northeast Vermont at the site of a former USAF radar base. Developers Matthew Rubin, principal of Winooski Hydroelectric, and David Rapaport, former Executive Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), will both be at the meeting to discuss their plans.
February 19, 2004
Micro & Nano Manufacturing: Could Tiny Technology Mean Big Business in Vermont?
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Harry Stephanou, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
In December, Senator Patrick Leahy and the Bennington County Industrial Corporation (BCIC) announced that the Bennington Microtechnology Center secured its first major client. Senator Leahy obtained the set aside of $3.5 million within the U.S. Office of Naval Research to develop high-tech microsystem technologies for Navy use. “This is a major pivot point for the Center,” said Senator Leahy. “A lot of work is going into developing this technology niche that will bring new jobs and economic growth to Southern Vermont.”
The Center — planned for North Bennington, Vermont — will supply state-of-the-art space, equipment, and know-how to firms and entrepreneurs wishing to test and manufacture high performance micro-devices and machines.
Dr. Stephanou, head of the Center for Automation Technologies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), will discuss the supporting role RPI will play in BCIC’s technology initiative.
Guest Speaker
Patricia Sears, Northfield Savings Bank
“Entering New Territory: Marketing for Measurable Results”
Pat is a highly respected communication and marketing services executive with thirty years of professional public relations, marketing and behavioral science experience.
Since joining Northfield Savings Bank in 2001, Pat has developed strategies for the Bank’s marketing and entry into Chittenden County with five branches. Prior to that time she owned Sears & Company in Connecticut, a full service marketing and public relations firm with a reputation for strategic issue analysis and problem solving problems . Offering expertise in marketing, public relations, advertising and community relations Sears & Company clients include the State of Connecticut, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Conning & Company, seven Connecticut Hospitals as well as other for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the Northeast.
March 25, 2004
University Open for Business
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Dr. John Evans, University of Vermont
Before his recent reappointment as Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. John Evans led UVM in an effort to establish a high technology incubator. Dr. Evans will join us to discuss his participation in the development of the Center for Emerging Technologies along with an overview of the University’s research programs, technology transfer efforts and other steps it is taking to become more interactive with the private sector.
April 15, 2004
No Cash, No Fear: Entrepreneurial Secrets to Starting Any Business with No Money
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Dr. Terry F. Allen, Terry’s Tips for Stock Option Success, www.terrystips.com
A little over a year ago, Dr. Terry F. Allen started an Internet business out of a spare room in his house. He now has six employees and a company that nets over $1,000,000. The quintessential serial entrepreneur, Terry is the author of a leading book on entrepreneurship and shared his failures and successes when starting, growing and selling businesses.
May 27, 2004
Coming to a Crossroads: When to Find a Strategic Partner
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Richard Munkelwitz
Principal, Crossroads Ventures
Managing Director, O’Conor, Wright Wyman, Inc.
Emerging companies, particularly technology companies, need significant resources to grow and succeed. In many cases, the focus of the company is on the development of core products and technologies – not necessarily on the commercialization of these technologies. While venture financing can provide resources for growth, often times finding a strategic partner can be a more efficient way of preserving equity or rapidly penetrating markets.
Mr. Munkelwitz has extensive experience in financial advisory services to technology corporations. He will discuss three real-life, successful strategic partnerships: the start-up, the spin-off and the intermediary. Learn about the potential pitfalls in working with larger organizations and how acquisition by a strategic partner can be an exit strategy.
Growth Company Showcase
Hot Potato Concepts
Spencer Newman, Founder
Hot Potato Concepts creates convenient, healthy, great-tasting meal solutions for busy working professionals. The company’s product line, Market Stand Family Meal Kits, features individual packages of ingredients that are combined and cooked to create a family-style entree in 20 minutes or less. Market Stand was launched in March 2004 and is currently available in over 40 retail and corporate locations throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.
Spencer Newman, founder and CEO of Hot Potato Concepts, was formerl CEO of Adventurous Traveler and Director of the TastyGram division of Vermont Teddy Bear.
June 24, 2004
Vermont Tubbs: from the Brink
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Jon McNeill
President, Vermont Tubbs
Vermont Tubbs has long prided itself on the production of 100% Vermont made hardwood furniture. Yet with a decrease in the furniture business and an increase of imports, the company was on the verge of ceasing operations in 2003. Jon McNeill, who led the acquisition of the company, will address the value he and his partners perceived and discuss the progress of the turnaround.
July 22, 2004
A Look at Learning
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Brian Jerome, Ph.D.
President, Visual Learning Company
Based in Brandon, Vermont, Visual Learning Company, Inc. specializes in the production of high-quality educational science videos and DVDs, with accompanying teachers guides, activities and assessments. Owners Brian and Stephanie Zak Jerome started the company five years ago, inspired by their involvement in teaching and educational science programs. They now bring live action footage, from locations such as Iceland; Bay of Fundy, Canada; Northern California; Oregon; the Tallgrass Prairies, Iowa; and the American Southwest, into classrooms all around the country.
Brian, producer and writer for all science education programming, will discuss the company’s methods of production and distribution of multi-media education.
August 26, 2004
Off to a Hot Start
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Vermont Morning, Patricia and Peter Floyd
From an idea and a garage in Warren, Vermont to an incubator plant and 150 locations around the state, Vermont Morning, Inc. now has contracts to dish out its hot cereal to 300 more stores, co-ops, institutions and restaurants across New England. President Patricia Floyd attributes much of the company’s success to the local Vermont businesses that put the product on their shelves, helping it to break into the competitive breakfast food market.
Owners Patricia and Peter Floyd will explain all that’s gone into the making of “The Best Hot Cereal You Ever Ate!” while you taste for yourself why they are off to such a hot start!
Guest Speaker
Green Mountain Logic, Inc., John Rosenblum
Green Mountain Logic develops state-of-the art software for leading medical companies. The company has recently launched LabPAS, which incorporates Adaptive Hook Technology and advanced Process Automation functionality to optimize the operation of specialized labs with complex and dynamic workflows.
President John Rosenblum will discuss ways GML has added “intelligence” to medical devices.
September 23, 2004
Questech®: Tiles & Tribulations
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Questech Corporation, Barry Culkin
Questech Corporation was founded in Middlebury by Roger Questel, an accomplished sculptor and designer. The Company designs, markets and sells Questech®, a lightweight tile composed of metal, special polymers and ceramics. Each tile is created from an original hand-sculpted design.
Former president of Boston Whaler and high-level executive with Reebok, Questech CEO Barry Culkin will discuss how this casting company broke the mold when it introduced its metal products into the home decorating market.
Growth Company Showcase
Mindforge LLC, Chris Davis
Mindforge was founded in April 2003 by Chris Davis, an accomplished technology marketing executive and former senior vice president of global marketing for Captaris Inc and Comsat Corporation. The company combines premier content with Internet technology to bring powerful ideas and tools to the desktops of executives and managers around the world. With online seminars, analysis of key trends and virtual marketplace simulations, executives gain valuable insights into how to develop new products and penetrate high-tech markets.
Chris will discuss why Mindforge is set to become the high-tech marketers learning resource.
October 28, 2004
Edging Forward: Creating, Building and Realizing Business Values
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Tim Platt, AreteCapital Group
Manchester, NH
AreteCapital Group is a leading investment bank north of Boston. ACG’s core services include: debt/equity capital formation; business alliances; mergers & acquisitions; and other corporate finance activities.
Tim Platt will speak about how the firm assists small and medium sized businesses throughout the New England region in raising capital in private markets.
Growth Company Showcase
Frank Smead, Snow*Sports
Center Rutland, VT
Snow*Sports was founded in 2002 to develop and market FreeRyderTM, a unique winter sports device that fills a very specific market niche. Prototype testing in Vermont, Colorado and Utah has attracted keen interest from ski area operators. Okemo Mountain will be incorporating FreeRyders into their 2004-2005 rental and instruction program.
Chief Financial Officer Frank W. Smead will speak on the company’s business strategies and opportunities for investors. Dan Sullivan, CEO, will be available for questions. Come see FreeRyder in action on video…
November 18, 2004
Zutano Inc.
The Final Word in Children’s Apparel
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Zutano Inc.
Michael Belenky, Steve Kandrac and Mary Admasian
Cabot, Vermont based Zutano Inc. has been a national leader in the Children’ s apparel business for fifteen years. Michael Belenky, Founder / President, Steve Kandrac, COO and Mary Admasian, Marketing, Branding & Press Relations, will discuss how to be an independently owned business and compete successfully in a highly sought after market segment by investing in design, brand development, marketing strategy, customer service and retail support systems.
Zutano Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes fashion forward baby clothing to boutique and specialty stores across the United States and Internationally.
Growth Company
ElectroCell Technologies, Buzz Hoerr
Growth Company Update:
Although they won’t be speaking at this meeting, previous Growth Company presenter, Cool Front, Inc., has some exciting news to share!
They have recently sent their first shipment of Hammerhead sleds to Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) stores across the northeast. If you missed their presentation last December, check out the Hammerhead at www.hammerheadsled.com, where you can purchase sleds at an introductory rate!
Happy sledding, and congratulations to Cool Front!
December 16, 2004
The Original Micro-Chip®: What’s Been Cookin’ at Madhouse Munchies
Breakfast * 8:00am
Speakers * 8:15am
Networking * 9:30am
Wyndham Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, Vermont
Main Speaker
Madhouse Munchies, Inc.
W. Bradley Hall
Madhouse Munchies, Inc. was founded in 1996 when Jim Ehlen started frying small batches of hand-sliced potatoes in a borrowed cooker. From kitchen to regional brand, Madhouse has since made considerable progress in entering the national market with its premium quality, all natural kettle cooked potato chips.
President Brad Hall will discuss the history of Madhouse Munchies, building brand equity on the grass roots level, drivers behind food service acceptance and what the company is cookin’ up for 2005 and beyond.
Growth Company Showcase
The National Center for the Study of Counter-Terrorism & Cybercrime
Thomas H. Aldrich
The National Center located at Norwich University, a non-profit LLC, serves a national public interest through the study of terrorism & cyber-crime and the development of related educational and training programs.
The Center conducts rapid research, development and deployment of needed technologies as well as addresses related policy, information management and technology issues to enhance a national capability for preparedness and response.
This year, the Center has awarded over $5M in contracts to Vermont companies or those moving to Vermont. It is currently looking for more companies to work with, which want to develop related technologies.