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The Future of Venture Capital
Many business journalists say that 2008 was the year the Venture Capital died. Our panel of venture capitalists will tell us what they think of that, as they talk about their changing field. If there is money out there, what are the industries that are still attracting VCs? This panel is perfect for those who have built their business and are looking for money in order to grow it.
Darren M. Green (Moderator)
Darren Green has more than 14 years of experience as a corporate attorney. He spent over six years with first-tier international law firms based in Chicago and two years as Vice President of Business Development and Legal Affairs at MachineTools.com, a leading business to business metalworking machinery marketplace. Additionally, he has spent the past seven years as a sole practitioner working closely with entrepreneurs and senior management teams growing businesses. He has developed a sophisticated, international law practice. Mr. Green is also an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law teaching Structuring Transactions- Venture Capital, as well as a founding partner of Old Willow Partners, a boutique private equity fund based in the Northern suburbs. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in International Relations (Magna Cum Laude) and a JD from the UCLA School of Law. He can be found at DGAttorney.com
Thomas L. Churchwell, Managing Partner, Midwest Venture Partners
Tom Churchwell is a prominent player in the Midwest venture capital community with more than 20 years of experience working with start-up technology-based companies, and an additional 20 years of experience in operations in large corporations. In 2001, he led the formation of ARCH Development Fund I, LP, which raised $31 million, investing in 16 seed- and early-stage life sciences and technology companies. Previously, he was President and CEO of ARCH Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the University of Chicago, commercializing technology from the university and Argonne National Laboratory.
Since 1987, Mr. Churchwell has played an active role in more than 60 seed- and early-stage investments with a top-tier track record. He currently serves as a director of several early-stage companies in the Midwest. Additionally, Mr. Churchwell is President of TiE Midwest and board member of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, iBIO and the Illinois Venture Capital Association. He holds a B.A. degree from DePauw University and J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Howard Tullman, President & CEO, Flashpoint Academy; Chairman & CEO, Experiencia, Inc.; President Emeritus, Kendall College Company
Howard Tullman is General Managing Partner for the Chicago High Tech Investors, LLC & a Director of The Cobalt Group and Passage Events in Seattle. He is also Trustee of WTTW in Chicago and an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Evanston, Illinois.
Mr. Tullman has over 30 years of management and turn-around experience and an extensive operations background in online services, large-scale information assembly and delivery systems, database design and the development, creation and production of all types and formats of multimedia content including CD-ROMs and DVDs. He has designed and developed interactive interfaces, computer games and other electronic entertainment, training products and services, and other information-based products and services.
After 10 years as a lawyer at Levy & Erens in Chicago, in 1980 Mr. Tullman founded CCC Information Services, Inc., a provider of information systems to the country's largest property and casualty insurers. CCC successfully raised venture capital amd subsequently completed an IPO in 1983 and several subsequent public offerings. Since taking CCC Information Services private in 1987, Mr. Tullman has founded Eager Enterprises, a venture capital firm focused on the information industry. He is also active in the arts and has served on the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities (1993-2001).
Mr. Tullman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, from Northwestern University. He also holds a J.D., with Honors, from Northwestern University School of Law.
Jeffrey Moss, Principal, Sterling PartnersCompany
Jeffrey Moss is a Principal at Sterling Partners whose investment interests and experience include business services and education companies. With expertise in operations, finance, M&A and growth strategies, Mr. Moss helps management teams navigate through the initiatives that drive growth and success. Mr. Moss works with Sterling Partners portfolio companies Avectra, Connections Academy, and The SAVO Group. He has also worked with Vocus, KnowledgeStorm, Progressus Therapy, and eCredit.
Mr. Moss worked with Summit Partners and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette before joining Sterling Partners in 2004. He received his MBA from The Wharton School and his BS from Indiana University.
Heather Smith Thorne, Vice President, Thoma Bravo Company
Heather Smith Thorne is a Vice President at Thoma Bravo, where she originates and executes investments in the Consumer and Multichannel Retail space. In addition, she works with portfolio companies post-close, focusing on general strategy, capital structure and follow-on acquisition activity. Ms Smith Thorne is currently on the Board of Excelligence Learning Corporation and Luxe Beauty Holdings. Prior to Thoma Bravo, she worked at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, an investment bank focused on middle-market businesses primarily in the Southeast. Ms Smith Thorne received her BA from Vanderbilt University and her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
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