Thursday, February 26, 2009

RTI International Summer '09 Internship

The Office of Commercialization at RTI International is interested in recruiting students for co-ops during the semesters and full-time intern positions for the summer. As interns at RTI, students will be introduced to the process of commercializing new technologies developed out of the research work at RTI. The qualifications needed for consideration are as follows:

1.       U.S. citizens / Permanent residents / International students are welcome.

2.       International work / study experience is highly valuable.  

3.       Experience with statistics, modeling, and presentations is highly valuable.  

4.       Students with strong analytic / reporting skills are highly preferred.

5.       Background and familiarity with (appreciation for) Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, copyrights) is valuable.

6.       Strong leadership skills (self-starters) / social skills.

7.       Creative (out-of-the-box) thinkers.

8.       Majors include but not limited to sociology, psychology, statistics, economics, political science, chemistry, biology, computer science / engineering, and electrical engineering.

 

If interested, please submit your resume to internships@rti.org.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Re-post Shotput Ventures

Duke alumnus David Cummings sent me some additional wording for Shotput Ventures

-Howie

Web Entrepreneurs -- Build and launch a company over the summer with Shotput Ventures!

Do you have a brilliant idea for a web services product or business but just need the support it takes to get your company off the ground?  Do you have the enthusiasm and tenacity it takes to see your idea through from the initial prototype phase to its successful completion? Atlanta-based Shotput Ventures is an organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs launch promising start-ups that have the potential to become thriving web services companies.  Shotput Ventures provides seed capital during the planning and development stages, in addition to three months of intensive mentoring from several accomplished entrepreneurs. By putting emphasis on identifying and cultivating talented individuals with visionary ideas, Shotput seeks to transform passion into success by helping entrepreneurs launch promising start-ups that have the potential to become thriving web services companies.

Interested entrepreneurs with innovative ideas are encouraged to apply for our summer immersion program, which will run from late May until early August.  Applications are due March 27th, and selected teams will undergo a round of interviews before the final eight participant groups are notified on April 17th.   Visit our website at www.shotputventures.com or email David Cummings Duke '02 (info@shotputventures.com) for more information.

TownMe - Internet company is looking for a Marketing Intern

Received the following email

-Howie

TownMe is an early stage Internet company started by two Google execs and backed by people who invested in Google, Yahoo!, Facebook, and other key digital media companies.  

We are looking to bring on board a Marketing Intern to work with us part-time through May/June 2009.

Thanks,
Elad Gil
Founder & CEO, TownMe
-------------------------
-------------------------

About TownMe:

Founded by 2 former Google Product Management Execs
Backed by the investors of Facebook, Google, YouTube, Yahoo! and other major technology companies
Allows users to find and create information about their town or neighborhood
Alpha version of site   (this will change rapidly in the coming weeks)

The Marketing Internship (Spring):

A great opportunity for you to work directly with the CEO of a high profile Silicon Valley startup

Craft & execute a marketing strategy

Gain valuable hands-on operational and technology experience

Forge ties to a well connected group of Silicon Valley Insiders


About You:

Driven, smart, creative, proactive person who gets a lot done in a short period of time
Detail oriented when executing but able to think big picture/strategically
History of excellence and "never say die" attitude
We are less interested in a specific background and care more about someone who is passionate about digital media, has a track record of excellence, and gets stuff done

Other Details:

PMM Internship will be from student's current location

Duration will be Now through June for 10-20 hours a week (exact timing/timeline negotiable)


Interested?  Send your resume to marketing@townme.com

Sagentia

I heard from a Duke alumnus in DC that this firm is hiring, Sagentia.

-Howie

Managing Consultant - Medical

We are looking for a managing consultant to join our US team. This person will be responsible for client and account management, lead conversion, scoping, definition and management of Opportunity Discovery (Innovation & Commercialisation Advisory) projects for health, wellness and medical device clients in the US.

Responsibilities

  • work with front line sales team and senior managers to identify new consulting opportunities, formulate appropriate consulting programs and convert leads into sales
  • provide experience and technical expertise specifically in the medical and/or health & wellness orientated consumer goods sectors
  • aid in penetrating new health & wellness accounts across the US and take lead responsibility for account management and long lasting client satisfaction
  • work with client and lead internal team to structure, articulate and present proposed consulting assignments in response to client interest and identified need
  • contribute to service offering development based on real world experience of successfully discovering, initiating, managing or incubating innovations within the target health sectors
  • develop thought leadership and present leading edge practices at international conferences
  • manage intensive, challenging and complex client facing projects up to around $500K in value
  • work with senior group managers to build sustainable business growth in the USmarket

Required skills

  • possess at least a BS degree in a technical, scientific or related area (or equivalent)
  • demonstrable experience in the medical, healthcare and/or wellness consumer goods industries; specifically in driving and successfully delivering innovations within those sectors
  • a strong working knowledge of key technologies and scientific principles forming the basis of the medical and/or healthcare consumer goods sectors as well as good general grounding in technology & science; is able to demonstrate breadth of expertise across the target sectors
  • a detailed understanding of the innovation process including knowledge of gathering insights, identifying need, and creating solutions
  • a track record in business consulting practices:
    • proven ability to quickly understand a client’s innovation related challenges and define / frame a solution as a world-class consulting assignment
    • experience and track record in identifying new and add-on consulting opportunities, leading development of new accounts and working with front line sales force to build base of business based on sector and process expertise
    • ability to reliably manage a client relationship, internal teams and multiple active, client projects of $300K+
    • strong interpersonal and communication skills – confident and capable in both client and public facing roles

Desired Skills

  • MS or MBA from a top tier university

Relocation

  • relocation to the WashingtonDC/BaltimoreMD area is required
  • relocation assistance is provided
  • office complex web site: www.maplelawnmd.com

Travel

  • 25% with international travel required

Please contact Marion.Harris@sagentia.com

Friday, February 20, 2009

Dell Social Innovation Competition

Dell Social Innovation Competition
Deadline Extension: March 2, 2009

The RGK Center for Philanthropy & Community Service at The University
of Texas at Austin and Dell invite aspiring social entrepreneurs to
enter the 2009 Dell Social Innovation Competition. College students
worldwide are challenged to dream up ingenious ideas that can change
the world. The student who best combines creativity and innovation to
tackle a pressing social issue wins $50,000 in seed funding to launch
their idea into the world.

Undergraduate and graduate students from any university in the world
are eligible to compete. Students studying in any discipline can
submit their entrepreneurial ideas online at
http://dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com. There is still plenty of
time to enter before the 12:00 P.M. CST (18:00 UTC) deadline on March
2, 2009.

How it works:

 From a large group of entries, we narrow down the competitors in
three elimination rounds:

1) Executive Summary: Students submit their innovation online giving a
brief overview of their idea (Deadline: March 2, 2009)

2) Social Venture Plan & Video: A select group of semifinalists are
invited to create a written plan detailing the social venture and
3-minute video pitch

3) Final Presentation: Three finalist teams are flown to Austin, Texas
to compete live for the $50,000 grand prize

New this year - Community Voting!

Along with students, we invite the online world to comment and vote on
the student ideas submitted into the competition. Simply join the
community with a username and e-mail address to get involved. You will
have until March 5, 2009 to vote on ideas and comment on the projects
you like the most.

2 Ways to Win: The semifinalists are selected by combining the top 25
ideas voted most popular by the public and up to 75 additional ideas
chosen by the judges.

Enter today at http://www.dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com

For complete 2009 Dell Social Innovation Competition details including
rules, deadlines, prizes, and eligibility, visit
http://dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Highland Capital Partners summer MBA internships program

I received the following email.

-Howie

Just as we have done for the past 2 years, Highland Capital Partners, a leading venture capital firm focused on seed through later stage growth companies, is looking to connect entrepreneurial MBA and graduate engineering school students with summer internships at Highland-backed startup companies.
 
To date there are a handful of companies that have posted open summer internship positions. We’ve packaged these into the below email that can be forwarded by you to potentially interested students. The email has embedded online links for connecting students directly to the specific job descriptions. If they’d like to submit their background information and resume, they can do so by clicking on the “Submit Your Info” box associated with each listing.
 
Currently, there are just a few listings on the site.  But, it’s a start and we expect another 1-2 positions to be added in the coming days.Additional summer internship positions will be posted as we progress into early spring. When that happens, I’ll plan to forward an updated email similar to this one that you are welcome to distribute to interested students as well.
 
If you would please acknowledge receipt of this email and also let me know if you decide to make interested students aware of these opportunities.  I appreciate your attention on this matter.
 
Thank you,
Alison Howard
********************
 
Highland Capital Partners, a leading venture capital firm focused on seed through later stage growth companies, is pleased to make MBA and graduate engineering school students aware of the following summer internship opportunities at Highland-backed companies:
 
Further details on each opportunity can be viewed by clicking on the corresponding link.  If you’d like to express interest in the opportunity, complete and submit the Submit Info form associated with each position.  All information will be directed to the appropriate hiring manager at the company and they will handle any follow-up.  Please note that all summer MBA internships fall under Highland’s Career Networkinitiative (www.hcp.com/career-network) and this website will be updated with new positions - internships and permanent opportunities -as they are posted.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

EntrepreneurTrek - March 21st

We've posted this before, but thought it'd be worth posting again.

-Howie


Here are exciting updates with EntrepreneurTrekthe largest non-profit, student entrepreneurial conference to be held on March 21-22nd, 2009 at Stanford University!  Young trekkers from as far as Europe (London Business School) and the East Coast (Cornell, Darden, Tuck, Wharton, etc.) have registered.

  • You may now submit your Business Plans online for EntrepreneurTrek's business plan pitch here!
  • Additional speakers and companies have been added for those who seek internships or full-time jobs, including
  • Help us develop a program that best serves your needs -- click here and tell us about the speakers and companies you would like to see, and topics you would like to hear more about!!!
  • Join our EntrepreneurTrek community on Facebook and network with other entrepreneurs 
  • A special 50% discount (off of regular prices) has been extended until 2/20 for the current students and staff at Fuqua!  Enter code Fuqua_leadership to receive the discount.  Discounts and prices are subject to change without notice.

If you have questions, just let us know.  We look forward to seeing you at EntrepreneurTrek 2009!

Tan Nguyen, Chair
EntrepreneurTrek Foundation
innovation that transcends boundaries
tan@entrepreneurtrek.org
650.248.8104 /m

CED's Biotech 2009 Conference is on Monday

CED's Biotech 2009 Conference is on Monday.


-Howie


Connect with the region’s most significant leaders in biotechnology including:

  • Charles E. Hamner, DVM, Ph.D.
  • James B. Hunt, Jr., Former North Carolina Governor
  • Robert A. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Art Pappas, Managing Partner, Pappas Ventures
  • William L. Roper, CEO, UNC Health Care System; Dean of School of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Norris Tolson, President & CEO, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
  • Rick Weddle, President & CEO, The Research Triangle Park
  • Register for Biotech 2009 before January 20 to save up to $125.

    Sponsor Biotech 2009 for the opportunity to showcase your company as a leader, gain clients, and show your support for the biotechnology industry.


    Why Attend CED's Biotech 2009:

    • Learn more about topics like global expansion, CEO management and more.
    • Network with hundreds of biotech innovators, including entrepreneurs, major pharmaceutical companies, research leaders, policy makers and nationally prominent investors.
    • Hear how the life science markets will unfold under a new administration.
    • Discover tips for success, insight on trends and more.

    For more information on attending or sponsoring CED's Biotech 2009, visit www.cednc.org/biotechor call 919.549.7500.

SEVC Conference in Atlanta

The Southeast Venture Conference today announces the second round of companies selected to present at the upcoming conference scheduled for March 11-12th, 2009 at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. A total of 40 showcase companies from the southeast and mid-atlantic regions will be presenting to an audience representing over $60 billion in private equity capital.

The 40 presenting companies range from late stage pre-IPO firms to earlier stage high growth firms from a variety of technology industries. These showcase companies represent the drivers of the region’s technology economy and have collectively raised over half a billion in venture capital to date.

The second round of SEVC presenting companies include: 
Presenting companies from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC are all represented at SEVC 2009.
 
Showcase companies will present to a national audience of venture capitalists, private equity investors, angel investors, investment bankers and senior technology executives.  Currently, there is over $60 billion in investment capital represented by attending investors. 
 
The first round of previously announced presenting companies included: 

In addition to showcasing some of the most promising emerging technology firms in the southeast and mid-atlantic regions, the SEVC will feature dozens of prominent speakers such as venture capitalist heavyweight Tim Draper, founder and managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson; Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine; Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoTrader.com; Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. of Maryland and Robin Weiss, SVP of NYSE Euronext to name a few.
 
The SEVC is the premier event for entrepreneurs to connect with investment capital in the southeast, which boasts the highest venture capital backed return of any region in the US.

How Films and Video Game change the world

Event announcement from our friends at UNC

-Howie

Would you like to learn more about "How Films and Video Game change the world"?

E-ship club invites you to join this unique event and meet with entrepreneurs changing the world on Friday February 20.


Featuring Speakers:

Eric Calhoun, Carolina Film Entrepreneur

Will Tao, Hollywood Entrepreneur

Phaedra Boinodiris , IBM Video Game Intrepreneur



Please RSVP to Ornpaka_Vudhikosit@unc.edu<mailto:Ornpaka_Vudhikosit@unc.edu> by Sunday February 15, 2009

StartupNation Elevator Pitch Contest

We received an email for the following elevator pitch competition.
-Howie

Have a creative Business Plan?
In the StartupNation Elevator Pitch Contest, you submit a video or audio file up to two minutes in length in which you pitch your business and your need for investment dollars. Each of the 5 winners will be given an opportunity to present their business to the investors in a live, private, online presentation. The contest runs through the month of February.  
The contest is a good opportunity for business students to bypass the red tape and speak directly with early stage investors. Entries will be accepted through the month of February, but the earlier the better. For more information visit http://www.startupnation.com/elevator-pitch-2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

About the Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network

Wrote the following blurb about DukeGEN - thought it might be useful to post here as well.

For those of you that haven't joined or posted a question - check it out here: www.dukegen.com

-Howie

The Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network (DukeGEN) is an online network for Duke's community of entrepreneurs (both  alumni and students). Through DukeGEN, Duke entrepreneurs can both connect with other Duke entrepreneurs and get answers to their questions related to starting a company.

The goal of DukeGEN is "to be a sophisticated and active network that helps create debate, dialogue, and lucky encounters between Duke entrepreneurs."  Founded by Reid Lewis '84, Michael Cann '95, Jon Fjeld '90, and Howie Rhee '04, there is a small committed group of volunteers that are "providing the energy and coordination to encourage Duke entrepreneurs, around the globe, to connect and increase their chances of success."

Since DukeGEN was started in April of 2008, the group has successfully proven it's value to Duke's entrepreneurial community. Notably, DukeGEN now has over 700 members on LinkedIn (and about 90 on Facebook, and 188 members on the Google Group).  In addition, there are some good discussions going on (94 discussions on the Google Group, 26 on LinkedIn).  

Questions that have been posted on DukeGEN have ranged from "how to split equity between founders" to "whether the venture capital model is broken" to getting specific advice for starting companies in "wound care" and "apartment rentals".

All Duke alumni and students are welcome to join.  Go to www.dukeGEN.com for more information.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Summer at Highland - looks fantastic

http://www.hcp.com/summer/

I met with Michael Gaiss from Highland Capital Partners, a successful VC up in Boston.  They have quite a neat program for both potential interns, and for startups that are seeking a great summer "mentorship" or "incubator" experience.

Below is the info about Summer@Highland which is the experience for entrepreneurs.  It's pretty competitive to get in.

-Howie

Summer@Highland 2009

Are you a student entrepreneur with a business startup that you’d like to rapidly accelerate this summer? If so, the Summer@Highland 2009 program may be just what you need.

 

In its third year, Summer@Highland is an innovative program designed to provide selected student/university-affiliated entrepreneurs with the environment and resources for advancing their startup initiative/company to the next level. Participating entrepreneurs/teams will receive a financial stipend and complimentary work space in either our Lexington, Massachusetts or Menlo Park, California office. The teams will have access to Highland investment professionals along with further resources for injecting real-world advice, insight and perspectives into the entrepreneurial and company-building process.

 

We are accepting applications for consideration in this year’s program through April 9, 2009. If you’re involved with a high-potential startup, we encourage you to consider applying.

 

What we’re looking for in 2009

 

We are especially interested in having you spend the summer with us if:

• You have a leadership team with vision, passion, and drive

• Your initiative is built around a breakthrough idea that is scalable and monetizable

• You’re pursuing a large addressable market opportunity with a product/service that has the potential to be highly-disruptive in its area

• Your business initiative is already showing momentum and (ideally) some demonstrable market traction (i.e., you’re well beyond concept)

• You’re operating in a sector that we focus on – information and communication technology, digital media, life sciences, advanced materials & semiconductors, cleantech

• You can direct us to some advisors who see your business’s potential as you do

 

Particulars of Summer@Highland 2009

 

1. The program is open to current undergraduate or graduate students, post graduate docs, as well as recent grads (December 2008 or later). At least one participating member of the team must meet this criterion.

2. Teams can comprise 1 to 4 persons.

3. A single person team will receive a $7,500 stipend for the summer, if selected.

4. A multi-person team will receive a $15,000 stipend, if selected.

5. Participating teams are required to work full time for a minimum 10 weeks on their initiative. Start and end dates are flexible and are to span the period of mid-May through September 2009.

6. Participating teams will need to reside in one of Highland’s offices (Lexington, MA or Menlo Park, CA) while participating in the program.

7. Each participating team will have a Highland sponsor who will be the team’s gateway to advice and counsel from Highland’s investors and industry network.

8. Participating teams in the core Summer@Highland 2009 program are under no obligation to Highland after the summer. Further terms and conditions may apply for initiatives that qualify for and are interested in pursuing seed financing and/or additional involvement by the Highland team.

 

How to apply

 

1. Please complete the brief online application (available atwww.hcp.com/summer)

2. Attach to your application (1) resumes/bios for each team member, and (2) up to two referrals/letters of recommendation (recommended). The latter may be from faculty & administration, board or advisory group members, or others affiliated with close knowledge of your initiative and/or team members.

3. You may also consider optionally attaching (1) executive summary of your initiative/company, and/or (2) a link to a 1-2 minute overview / elevator pitch video via YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

4. The deadline to submit all materials associated with an application is end of day Thursday, April 9, 2009

5. The application deadline for consideration in the 2009 program is Thursday, April 9, 2009.

6. Selected projects will be notified via email no later than May 1, 2009.

 

Please direct any questions regarding the program tosummer@hcp.com and we will do our best to address them.

U Ventures in NYC and Sweden

We received the following email
"I am contacting you regarding the internship that U Ventures is offering. It is a yearly internship for entrepreneurial students at the world's top universities, where the interns get the opportunity to set up a company from scratch and get funding for it. This year - despite the economic turmoil - we are making it bigger and better than ever, recruiting from some 15-20 countries. I would like to know how I can reach out to members of your club, as I am sure we will be able to find good candidates within it I would appreciate if you could get back to me so that we can discuss this further. Please distribute it as you see fit.

Many thanks.

Best regards,

Johan Bergström

U Ventures

Jakobsbergsgatan 22
103 86 Stockholm
Sweden

Cell: +46-70 23 17 747
Mail: johan.bergstrom@uventures.se
www.uventures.se"



---More info below.  Apologies for the funny formatting and grammatical errors.  Copying over from the PDF file proved unreliable.

-Howie


U VENTURES BUSINESS
START‐UP INTERNSHIP
UVENTURES.SE

Venture development internship
U Ventures is giving you a unique opportunity to get high‐level leadership experience in
combina:on with venture development work in the summer of 2009. As one of five Managing
Directors, you will be leading the work of an intern group, managing 20 under‐graduate top
students from over 10 different countries, during July‐August 2009, in a venture start‐up project.
Your task is to make this diverse group of talented students work as a team and produce a
business plan for a new venture, depar:ng from a pre‐defined business idea iden:fied by U
Ventures. However, it is up to you and the team to work out the structure of the company and
turn it into a solid concept with high business poten:al. U Ventures will provide seed capital if
the business plan meets our requirements. All along the internship, you will be supported by the
management team of U Ventures, to which you also will report on a regular basis. You will as
well be part of the group that sets the outline of the internship, giving you the possibility to
shape the schedule and scope of the internship. In short, this is a chance to form, manage and
execute a venture development project, leading a mul:cultural team of 20 interns, guided by
your visions and goals.

You will work from our offices either in New York City, USA or Stockholm, Sweden, star:ng July
1, 2009 with a dura:on of 4‐8 weeks. Your tasks will range from market analysis to building
business plans. Financial compensa:on will be provided.

Qualifications
You are an entrepreneurial achiever and doer. You have already proven yourself as a leader and
are looking forward to gaining further leadership experiences on your way to the top. You are
well organized, have the ability to think on your feet and adapt to changing situa:ons. You also
have a strong interest in entrepreneurial ac:vi:es and have demonstrated crea:ve
entrepreneurial skills in previous engagements.

Apply now
Send in your resume and a short cover leTer describing one or two of your entrepreneurial
experiences to careers@uventures.se before March 6, 2009. Please also indicate where you
would prefer to work. Early applica:ons are encouraged as recrui:ng is done on an on‐going
basis. Successful candidates will be called for interviews and also asked to solve a real business
case.

About U Ventures
The main focus of U Ventures is on Venture Start‐up & Development. Our por[olio consists of
companies in a wide range of industries. We are represented on five con:nents through
associated companies, joint ventures or fully owned companies. We are constantly searching for
new business ideas and for the right people to make them happen.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Getting Ready for Capital workshop

My Fuqua classmate, Jessica Thomas '04, is hosting the following event at UNC.

The Center for Sustainable Enterprise at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business
School, Hutchison Law Group , and SJF Advisory Services are pleased to
invite you to a Getting Ready for Capital workshop for sustainable
entrepreneurs.

Date: 
Thursday, February 19, 20094:30 - 8:30pm
Location: UNC 
Chapel HillKenan-Flagler Business School
Registration: FREE for BASE members, $55 for non-members 

Getting Ready for Capital is a program of UNC's Business Accelerator
for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (BASE)

Getting Ready for Capital will help answer: 
· What types of investments are available?
· What are investors looking for?
· What are the benefits and challenges of different types of investments?
· Is my company ready for capital investment?
· How do I prepare my company to attract investors?

Workshop will include:
- Keynote: Jim Dean, Dean of the 
Kenan-Flagler Business School 
- Lecture: Overview of the Capital Spectrum from Rick Larson, Director
of Sustainable Ventures, The Conservation Fund 
- Investors' Panel: Preparing your Company for Capital with panelists
from SJF Ventures, Square 1 Bank, Bank of 
America, and Investors' Circle
- Entrepreneurs' Panel: Life after the Check with panelists from
Immaculate Baking, MegaWatt Solar, Sencera, and Greenbridge Developments
- Networking Reception

More information: http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/KI/cse/BASE/events/capitalWorkshop.cfm

Registration: http://cfx.research.unc.edu/res_classreg/browse_single.cfm?New=1&event_id=21901


Contact: Jessica Thomas, jessica_thomas@unc.edu, 919-962-4259