Speaking Engagements

Featured Panelist

  • “How Innovation Drives Great Companies,” Innovation Coast Conference, May 2015
  • “Equity Crowdfunding:  Myth vs. Reality,” (Moderator) San Diego Venture Group, February 2014
  • “Capital Sources,” Growth Capital Conference, January 2014
  • “View from the Valley,” (Moderator) San Diego Venture Summit, July 2013
  • “The Dos and Don’ts of Term Sheet Negotiation,” Assembled Capital, December 2012
  • “The Future of the Small VC Fund,” San Diego Venture Summit, June 2012
  • “OC VC Centers of Excellence,” OCTANe’s VC in the OC, May 2012
  • “Capital Sources,” Growth Capital Conference, April 2012
  • “Southern California Capital Expo,” Association for Corporate Growth OC, November 2011
  • “CEO Facetime,” Tech Coast Angels, September, 2011
  • “Raising Your Seed Round Financings:  Should You Use Convertible Notes or Preferred Stock?” Harvard Business School/USC Marshall Business Growth Conference, May 2011
  • “Seeking Financing in 2011,” Tech Biz Connection, March 2011
  • “Healthcare Information Technology,” OCTANe’s Medical Device Investor Forum, October 2010
  • “State of the Capital Markets,” SEC Hot Topics Conference, September 2010
  • “Managing Intellectual Property:  How to Keep the IP Lock on Your Secret Sauce,” Harvard Business School/USC Marshall Business Growth Conference, May 2010
  • “How to Get the Most Out of Your Core Ideas and Intellectual Property,” Southern California Business Growth Conference, May 2009
  • “Building the Team,” Tech Coast Venture Network, April 2008
  • “The Evolution of a New Venture:  Funding It,” 4th Annual Southern California Entrepreneur Conference, University of California, Irvine – The Paul Merage School of Business, November 2007
  • “Venture Capital Panel,” Orange County Venture Group VC in the OC, September 2007
  • “Managing and Accelerating Growth in Early Stage Companies,” (Moderator) Tech Biz Connection, August 2007
  • “Venture Capital Panel,” Harvard Business School Entrepreneurship Conference, May 2006
  • “Private Equity Update,” Moss Adams Technology Conference, May 2006
  • “Access to Capital,” Tech Biz Connection, May 2006
  • “VCs Creating Value,” Forum for Corporate Directors, September 2005
  • “Capital Panel,” VentureNet, September 2005
  • “The Funding Process,” TiECon 2004, October 2004
  • “Mistakes to Avoid in Diligence,” Tech Coast Angels, July 2004
  • “Raising Money:  Exit Strategy, Exit Plan and ROI,” Tech Coast Venture Network, May 2004

Guest Lectures

  • “Seeking Venture Capital,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, June 2021
  • “Venture Capital:  Great Moments in Cap Structures,” Loyola Law School, November 2018
  • “Venture Capital & Private Equity,” University of California, Irvine – Merage School of Business, August 2017
  • “Thoughts from the World of Venture Capital,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2015
  • “Venture Capital,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, February 2015
  • “Thoughts from the World of Venture Capital,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, Global Executive MBA Program, January 2015
  • “Venture Capital,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, Masters in Business for Veterans, November 2014
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2014
  • “Venture Capital Due Diligence,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, March 2014
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, February 2014
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2013
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, January 2013
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2012
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, February 2012
  • “Opportunity Recognition and Building the Business Model,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, November 2011
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, October 2011
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2011
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Paul Merage School of Business, April 2011
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, February 2011
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, October 2010
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of California, Irvine – Paul Merage School of Business, February 2010
  • “Venture Capital Process and Trends,” University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, April 2010
  • “Venture Capital Trends for the New Decade,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, January 2010
  • “Venture Capital Financing,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, April 2009
  • “Investing in Biophotonics,” University of California, Los Angeles, October 2008
  • “Venture Capital Financing,” University of California, Irvine – Paul Merage School of Business, May 2008
  • “Start-Up Companies in the Global Marketplace,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, February 2008
  • “Presenting the Business Plan,” California State University, Fullerton – Mihaylo College of Business, November 2007
  • “Start-Up Companies in the Global Marketplace,” University of California, Irvine – Henry Samueli School of Engineering, May 2007
  • “The Venture Capital Process,” Pepperdine University – Graziadio School of Business, March 2006
  • “The Venture Capital Process,” Pepperdine University – Graziadio School of Business, March 2005
  • “Pitching Your Deal to Venture Capitalists,” Tritech Institute, January 2005
  • “Venture Investment Trends:  Semiconductor Companies,” North American Chinese Semiconductor Association, April 2004
  • “Strategic Planning:  Funding Sources and Exit Strategies,” Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance, May 2002

 Judge

  • VCIC – West Coast Region:  2021
  • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Orange County Region:  2009 – 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2017 – 2018
  • Innovation Coast Conference:  2015
  • University of California Irvine, School of Law – Moot Court Competition:  2014
  • San Diego Venture Group PitchFest Business Plan Competition: 2009 – 2011, 2014
  • Tech Coast Venture Network Survivor Competition:  2006 – 2010, 2012
  • Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch:  2010
  • VentureNet Business Plan Competition:  2007 – 2008
  • University of La Verne – Venture Capital Conference:  2006
  • VCIC (Venture Capital Investment Competition) – West Coast Region:  2005 – 2006