Entrepreneur Forum

Accelerators & Incubators as a Path to Funding

Murat Aktihanoglu, Founder, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
Jerry Creighton Sr., Executive Director, NJ Institute of Technology EDC
Stephen Dyer, Chairman, JumpStart New Jersey Angel Network
Far too many entrepreneurs are unable to obtain funding because they have not yet established sufficient credibility with investors. Typically, they cannot overcome a short track record for their business, modest growth in sales, and their limited name-recognition as entrepreneurs.

Angel and venture capital investors feel more comfortable with candidates that others have already vouched for. Thus it is in the interest of entrepreneurs to participate in short-term (accelerator) or long-term (incubator) programs to obtain the backing of those with influence.

The panel consists of managers of a leading accelerator and incubator, as well as the head of an investor group that funds firms which have graduated from such programs. Topics include:
  • Scope of programs offered by accelerators & incubators, highlighting differences
  • Financing offered to program participants, as well as costs relative to do-it-yourself.
  • Doors to funding sources programs can open for you - in particular to angels & VCs.
  • State and federal grant funding, and how to qualify for it as a new business.
  • Perspective of an investor on how such programs affect your funding potential.  

Murat Aktihanoglu is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA), an   early-stage investment fund and technology accelerator in New York City. Since 2011, ERA has accelerated the growth of 80 portfolio companies across a wide range of industries. He is the also co-author of the book "Location-Aware Applications", a guide to the business of creating location-based services and applications. 

Jerry Creighton Sr. is the Executive Director of the Enterprise Development Center (EDC) at NJIT. EDC is one of the country's largest high-technology and life-science business incubators, with 90 companies in residence per year. Jerry is also Founder of NJIT Highlanders Angel Network, a group of accredited investors which support commercialization of technologies by providing investment capital, mentoring, and access to network resources.   

Stephen Dyer is Chairman of the JumpStart NJ Angel Network, a private forty member lead angel investor group that provides funding for early-stage technology companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. In this connection, he is also an investor or board member in several entrepreneurial firms. Further, Steve is the Founder of SRD Capital Management LLC, which he established in 2006 after 22 years on Wall Street including 18 years at UBS.   

When

Thursday, February 19, 2015
Check-in: 5:30 to 6:00
Presentations: 6:00 to 7:00
Group Q&A: 7:00 to 7:30
Networking: 7:30 to 8:15

Where
Lee Hecht Harrison
230 Park Avenue
6th Floor (Suite 600)
Elevator Bank 3C-34
Helmsley Building@ 45/46th
New York, NY 10017

Contact
Entrepreneur Forum
Events@AngenAdvisors.com
212-410-7120

Cost: There is a nominal fee of $20 to attend, payable at the door. Regrets but we are unable to accept credit cards.

To RSVP: Please click on the registration link below, then input basic data on the next screen. If you have difficulty, please register by email: Events@AngenAdvisors.com.

Directions: Entrances for the Helmsley Building at 230 Park Avenue are on 45th and 46th Streets. Please use elevator bank 3C-34 for the 6th Floor.
 
Refreshments: Coffee, tea, and snacks will be served.

Cancellations: If you register but need to cancel for whatever reason, kindly notify us at: Events@AngenAdvisors.com.