The federal EB-5 program brings foreign national investment dollars to the United States.  Panelists will discuss the process and incentives for investing in the US and in Connecticut specifically through the EB-5 program.  Connecticut companies find funding through both in-state and out-of-state investors.   What incentives does the state offer to attract investment dollars and/or out-of-state companies to Connecticut?

Moderator:  Patrick O’Neill, P.E., Director, Investments, Connecticut Innovations. Patrick joined Connecticut Innovations in 2006 as part of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, and in 2009 he joined the CI investment team. While his focus is in the area of clean technology and industrial/energy technologies, Patrick has worked on investments in the life sciences, software and digital media sectors.

Panelists:  

Dana R. Bucin, Esq., Immigration and Business Law Attorney, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Dana practices in the areas of immigration and business law.  Ms. Bucin combines her experience in Corporate/ Venture Capital Financing with her knowledge of Immigration laws to assist foreign investors and companies with structuring investments (including EB-5, L-1 and E-2) to meet the immigration goals of such foreign investors.  She represents both investors and companies with negotiating and documenting various international and domestic venture capital deals across a variety of industries.  Ms. Bucin is fluent in Spanish, French, and Romanian, and has a basic knowledge of Italian, German, Hungarian and Latin.

William B. Claffey, Esq.,  Director State Tax & Credits, Fiondella Milone & LaSaracina. Bill heads the firm’s State and Local Tax Practice with a primary focus on income tax, sales tax, payroll tax, property tax, and state tax credits and incentives.  His experience includes analyzing state tax issues related to business reorganizations, reviewing state tax filings for refunds and favorable filing positions, and performing nexus evaluations.  Bill also focuses on credits and incentives and has secured numerous fixed capital, new jobs, research and development, and real property tax credits for our clients.  Bill provides sales/use tax consulting services which include analyzing the taxability of specific buy or sell-side transactions, compliance assistance and reverse sales/use tax audits.  He also provides audit defense services for his clients at all levels of state and local jurisdiction. 

Claire R. Leonardi, CEO and Executive Director, Connecticut Innovations. Claire manages CI’s array of business startup and growth initiatives, which include diverse lending initiatives, venture and equity investment funds, and programs to support innovation, entrepreneurship, collaboration and commercialization. Additionally, she oversees administration of the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Fund, the state’s investment in The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, and the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program. Claire is a veteran investment and venture capital executive with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

John Strahley, Managing Director, Ironwood Capital. John joined Ironwood in 2010 and brings nearly 20 years of experience in high technology venture investment, equipment leasing, middle market and leverage finance, syndications and credit. John’s primary responsibilities include deal origination, underwriting, execution, and portfolio management..  John began his career in public accounting, managed sales and credit operations for LTI Ventures and was a Senior Vice President at Webster Bank.   John is a Certified Public Accountant. He received his undergraduate degree from Western Connecticut State University and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut.

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We hope to see you there!

Best,

Liddy Karter                              Nell Bourgoin                       
Executive Director                       Chief Programming Officer
Crossroads Venture Group           Crossroads Venture Group