Two-time CEO, Sold CNS for $566 Million Marti Morfitt, CEO, Airborne		Ambassador of MN Tech Entrepreneuring Robert Stephens, CTO, Best Buy		Minnesota Innovation Advocate Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senate
	“Private equity is like a marriage. You need your investors to be partners and enjoy the good times, and stick with you through the bad times.” -- January, Private Equity Seminar		“The goal of social media is to make an authentic experience at lower cost.” -- September, Social Media Panel		“I've always been proud to be from Minnesota. We brought the world everything from the pacemaker to the Post-It note.  It's time to become a country that exports, that makes stuff again.” -- June, 15th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon

Public Offerings in 2009 and 2007 Phil Soran, CEO, Compellent Technologies		Top Cellular Researcher Dr. Doris Taylor, University of MN; Miromatrix		Veteran Investor and Executive Mike Sweeney, Chairman, Star Tribune
“Going public can be a source of employee pride. We were on the New York Stock Exchange and it was a very helpful tool for marketing and helping enhance our brand.” -- June, Going Public Seminar		“We all need to speak the same language – find engineers who speak biologists’ language, and vice versa.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“A recipe for disaster: too much leverage in an industry under pressure and management not prepared to make tough decisions.” -- January, Private Equity Seminar

Renowned Investor in Tech Companies Joy Lindsay, President, StarTec Investments		$200 Million MN Cardiovascular Player John Barr, CEO, AGA Medical		$400 Million Global e-Commerce Leader Joel Ronning, CEO, Digital River
	“There ARE folks out there looking to deploy money to startups.” -- September, Technology Success in a Medtech Town Panel		“The IPO hurdle is relatively high compared to the past.” -- June, Going Public Seminar		“Raising capital is one thing. Keeping it is another.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference

Veteran Orthopedic & Medical Device Investor Dave Stassen, Co-Founder, Split Rock Partners		Two-Time Software Entrepreneurial Success Chris Heim, CEO, Amcom		Renowned MN Medtech Investor & Executive Glen Nelson, Chairman, GDN Holdings
“We look at new technologies that can change how procedures are done.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“There is a lot of management talent here not necessarily with a depth of software experience.” -- September, Technology Success in a Medtech Town Panel		“The value of an angel is being able to present the startup to the VC community.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference

MN SaaS Firm with IPO in April 2010 Archie Black, CEO, SPS Commerce		$600 Million Cleaning Equipment Manufacturer Chris Killingstad, CEO, Tennant		Veteran MN Technology VC Michael Gorman, Co-Founder, Split Rock
	“What private equity companies are paying today is crazy.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference		“Our business has been here for 140 years, and Minnesota has a rich talent base. It’s great having a world-class University in your backyard.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“Minnesota should want companies that actually scale, rather than one or two-person startups, because that means jobs.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference

MN Healthcare VC & Former Medtronic EVP Kris Johnson, President, Affinity Capital Mgmt		MN Twin's President, $522 Million Target Field Dave St. Peter, President, Minnesota Twins		Acquired Turnpike Global in 2009 Jay Coughlan, CEO, XATA
“Partnerships between small and large companies need to take place sooner rather than later in order to share the risk.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast		“It is the responsibility of professional teams to insure there is an outreach. We are teaching kids life skills and ultimately having a positive impact on the community.” -- February, Land of 10,000 Sports! ChangeMakers Dinner		“We always ask if it’s a strategic fit for both sides. I work with all answers except “uncertainty”, which usually means they are not ready to be acquired.” -- April, Mergers & Acquisitions Seminar

MN's Largest Energy & Wind Energy Provider Judy Poferl, CEO-Minnesota, Xcel Energy		Experienced CFO John Morris, CFO, Dexma		Green Chemistry Company, Raised $27MM Atul Thakrar, CEO, Segetis
	“Clean technology is always going to cost more.  What’s more important is to look at the relative cost in comparison to the alternatives.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“Never miss a payroll.” -- August, Managing Your Cash Panel		“Minnesota has what it takes, and we need to align ourselves to make the change to a sustainable industry.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar

Minnesota's Largest Private Equity Firm Tim Kuehl, Partner, Norwest Equity Partners		Veteran Medtech CEO Phil Smith, CEO, DGIMED ORTHO		Experienced CEO Dennis Wahr, CEO, Lutonix
“Rather than money fueling the big idea, private equity is typically a change in control.” -- January, Private Equity Seminar		“When financing your company for the long term, I don’t think you have a choice.  You have to tie your financing to milestones.” -- July, Financing Your Company for the Long Term Panel		“Bured up your intellectual property from anyone. The deepest dive in due diligence will happen with intellectual property.” -- August, Offensive and Defensive Strategies: IP, Regulatory & Other Avenues Panel

Veteran MN Healthcare VC Pete McNerney, Thomas McNerney & Partners		Private Equity Investor Molly Simmons, Principal, Tonka Bay Equity		Venture Capital Investor Jodi Hubler, Managing Director, Lemhi Ventures
	“The issue is fairly simple. There is a capital shortage.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference		“You are marketing an investment, not your device or software.” -- August, Presenting Your Company to Investors Panel		“The three most important things to bring in front of the investors are a sound business model, a competent management team and competitive assets.” -- August, Presenting Your Company to Investors Panel

The State of Venture Investing John Taylor, VP of Research, NVCA		3x Tech Founder, including Techies.com Doug Berg, Founder, Jobs2Web		Global Health Info & Tech Provider Andrew Slavitt, CEO, Ingenix
“The cumulative effect of regulations could mean less company creation, less innovation.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference		“Make sure to leverage your clients; do webinars or create strategic opportunities with them.” -- September, Web, SaaS, Data & More Panel		“Consumers don’t want to have more choices, they want less.  We have to be responsive to that.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast

CEO of Large MN Healthcare Organization David Tilford, CEO, Medica		$120 Million Teleradiology Innovator Rob Kill, CEO, Virtual Radiologic		Headed TCF Bank Stadium Efforts Joel Maturi, Athletics Director, U of M
	“With all of the emphasis (in healthcare reform) on greater access, there is no talk of lowering costs.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast		“Minnesota has a great healthcare community and a high level of domain knowledge that helps us serve our customers.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“We are a sports crazed community, so the University embraces that to allow it to be a window to who and what we are.” -- February, Land of 10,000 Sports! ChangeMakers Dinner

Global Orthopedics Leader HQ'd in MN Doug Kohrs, CEO, Tornier		Large Company Interactive Perspective Jim Cuene, Director, Interactive, General Mills		Public Cardiorespiratory Diagnostics Co. Rod Young, CEO, Angeion
“The orthopedics business is very working capital heavy.  The sports medicine and biologics are not as working capital heavy, so those markets lend themselves to growth.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“With social media the company is no longer the authoritative voice but a part of the conversation with our customers.” -- September, Social Media Panel		“We have a wealth of opportunity in internet-based technology – in things like smart phone applications and web based diagnostic tools.” -- March, Medtech Seminar

CEO of Health Care Delivery Organization Ken Paulus, CEO, Allina		Prominent Cardiac Physician and Investor Dr. Robert Van Tassel, TriCardia Ventures		Serial Entrepreneur & Tech Community Leader Dan Grigsby, CEO, Filing Engines
	“It will be hard to change the system if we just leave it to the healthcare providers and financiers.  The patients need to have a stake.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast		“The support is fantastic – knowledgeable and experienced.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast		“The management risk takers are being cautious and are reticent to join start-ups.” -- September, Technology Success in a Medtech Town Panel

Medical Technology Investor & Founder Michael Berman, CEO, Berman Medical		Global Technology CEO Dan Frawley, CEO, Iconoculture		Globally Active Innovator and Acquirer Mark Copman, VP, Corp. Dev. & M&A, 3M
“There is lots of talent in town.  It’s the reason and the consequence that the Twin Cities is a medical device cluster.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“You have to break it down into a marketing equation.” -- September, Marketing, Sales and Revenue Panel		“When in an M&A transaction, an agent can really help by maximizing the time of both the buyer and the seller, showing a seller you are serious, and helping remove or reduce the valuation bias.” -- April, Mergers & Acquisitions Seminar

$220 Million Total Oil Management Company Jeff Kiesel, CEO, Restaurant Technologies		Commercial Algae to Biodeisel Producer Dr. Clayton McNeff, Founder, Ever Cat Fuels		Experienced Entrepreneur John Feikema, President, VisionShare
	“We are able to combine cost effectiveness and environmental friendly impacts for a more robust value proposition.  As the economy continues to pick up, green will continue to be very valuable.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“There is a great opportunity for biofuels in Minnesota. The perception that biofuels create a number of serious environmental issues is incorrect.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“Today’s investment environment is a good time to start a business because if forces you to practice discipline.” -- July, Angel or VC? Capital Sources, Tax Credits and Fit for Your Business Panel

Serial Entrepreneur in Data Management Gordy Meyer, Founder and President, eBureau		Renowned Outstate Wind Energy Entrepreneur Dan Juhl, CEO, Juhl Wind		Serial Tech Entrepreneur in Storage & More Paul Lidsky, CEO, Datalink
“You can find highly skilled people with a better work ethic and there is a sound opportunity for start-ups.” -- September, Web, SaaS, Data & More Panel		“One of the most important things we did was bring in people to do the road shows, deal with the investors and banks – someone who knows the path of going public and has experience to guide you.” -- June Going Public Seminar		“If you don’t have a value proposition then you shouldn’t be in the market.” -- September, Marketing, Sales and Revenue Panel

MN Technology Executive/Entrepreneur Jamie Thingelstad, CTO, Alvenda		Veteran MN Technology CEO & Investor Mac Lewis, CEO, Field Solutions		MN Brand with Top Social Media Strategy Mark Stutrud, CEO, Summit Brewing Company
	“When looking for talent, you need to look for core ability and innate talent. People can always learn your business.” -- September, Technology Success in a Medtech Town Panel		“When you hit objections, that’s when selling begins.” -- September, Marketing, Sales and Revenue Panel		“It is a great way to give information about an immediate event.” -- September, Social Media Panel

Founder of $200 Million PE Fund Cary Musech, Tonka Bay Equity Partners		Experienced Entrepreneur Tom Ressemann, Co-Founder, Entellus Medical		Angel Tax Credit Expert Dan McElroy, Commissioner, MN DEED
“The PE market has kind of snapped back.” -- October, 24th Annual Venture & Finance Conference		“To enhance the value of your company continually re-evaluate your business model with the goal of commercial success in mind.” -- August, Valuation: Key Issues and Considerations Panel		“The purpose is to help Minnesota companies stay in Minnesota.” -- July, Managing Growth: Angel Tax Credit Mechanics Panel

$100 Million PE Deal in 2009 Andrew Hofmeister, CEO, GeoDigm		Venture Capital Investor Mike Jerstad, PrairieGold Venture Partners		Serial Minnesota Medtech Entrepreneur Dan Sullivan, CEO, superDimension
	“Look for an investor that matches in chemistry. If the chemistry doesn’t work, move on.” -- January, Private Equity Seminar		“Entrepreneurs don’t think enough about how to get a company financed, not just today, but in the future.” -- July, Angel or VC? Capital Sources, Tax Credits and Fit for Your Business Panel		“Minnesota is world class.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast

President of the Minnesota Timberwolves Chris Wright, President, MN Timberwolves		Consumer-Driven Health VC & Entrepreneur Tony Miller, CEO, Lemhi Ventures; Carol		Veteran Medical Device CEO Marty Emerson, CEO, Galil Medical
“Professional sports galvanize the marketplace and become a community asset.” -- February, Land of 10,000 Sports! ChangeMakers Dinner		“The number one thing that controls healthcare costs is the consumer.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast		“This is a great town to find the right medtech talent.” -- November, Reform Series Breakfast

FAO Outsourcing Provider Success Story Gary Halleen, CEO, API Outsourcing		Public Affairs & Stadium Dev. for MN Vikings Lester Bagley, Vice President, MN Vikings		Sold 90% of GovDelivery for $20+ Million Scott Burns, CEO, GovDelivery
	“Minneapolis is a good market from a technology standpoint. Companies want to focus on their core competencies and not in back-office hardware and software.” -- September, Web, SaaS, Data & More Panel		“Professional sports definitely have a positive impact on quality of life and the economy.” -- February, Land of 10,000 Sports! ChangeMakers Dinner		“It was important to us to bring in an investment team that had the same level of energy as our management team.” -- April, Mergers & Acquisitions Seminar

World Leading Medtech Company Dr. Doug Daum, Director, CRM, Boston Scientific		Serial Medtech Entrepreneur Bob Paulson, CEO, NxThera		MN's Top Producer of Proteins & Antibodies Dr. Frank Mortari, Director, TECHNE Corp.
“Because of the changing regulatory requirements in the U.S., there is an opportunity in other markets that were once considered less stable to take advantage.” -- March, Medtech Seminar		“It is important to build your team deep with people who have experience and can handle the risk (of a start-up company).” -- July, Compensation, Stock Options & Regulations Panel		“Minnesota is a great place to build the future – a place where devices and biologics are coming together.” -- March, Medtech Seminar

Recycled Carbon Dioxide Cleaning Innovator Jon Wikstrom, CEO, Cool Clean Technologies		Solid State Energy Storage Firm Bill Priesmeyer, CEO, Cymbet		Recycling and Waste Pioneer Tim Brownell, CEO, Eureka Recycling
	“Minnesota is poised to take advantage of the convergence of clean technology. The economics of the industry are strong.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“Low power electronics with a micro grid for distributing the power can be triple charge devices with small amounts of energy and save 30-40% of energy.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar		“People are recognizing the resource potential in recycled materials, and their significant environmental impacts.” -- May, Cleantech Seminar

-- And that's only half of our 2010 speakers!
Thanks to all the experts who work with startups, mid-market and growth companies. Thanks also to our fantastic sponsors — the busiest professionals in Minnesota who take time each year to give back to our Minnesota innovators.

In addition to the speakers quoted above, our 2010 events also featured (alphabetically):
Kent Adams, Managing Director, Greene Holcomb & Fisher • Joe Alexander, Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand • Milo Arkema, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause • Chris Bellini, Dorsey & Whitney • Buzz Benson, Managing Director, SightLine Partners • Tim Bianchi, Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner • Marian Briggs, Padilla Speer Beardsley • Morgan Burns, Faegre & Benson • Phil Colton, Winthrop & Weinstine • Gina DeConcini, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly • Ross D'Emanuele, Dorsey & Whitney • Peter Ekberg, Faegre & Benson • Greg Flannigan, Grant Thornton • Leslie Frecon, CEO, LFE Capital • David Gale, Ernst & Young • Al Galgano, Padilla Speer Beardsley • Ron Hafner, Wipfli • Robert Hensley, Dorsey & Whitney • Jeff Hinck, General Partner, El Dorado Ventures •Tad Jellison, Jones Lang LaSalle • Ryan Johnson, Fredrikson & Byron • Bill Kaufman, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly • Chris King, VP, Business Development, Medtronic • Patrice Kloss, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly • Paul Knapp, CEO, Space Center Ventures • Matthew Knopf, Dorsey & Whitney • Chris Larson, Ernst & Young • Ron Leaf, Principal, LFE Capital • Scott Litman, Managing Partner, Magnet 360 • Tom Lovett, Lindquist & Vennum • Steve Lundberg, Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner • Bruce Machmeier, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly • Phillip Martin, Partner Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly • Tom Martin, Dorsey & Whitney • Jay McNeil, SVB Silicon Valley Bank • Christopher Melsha, Fredrikson & Byron • Ryan Miest, Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi • Todd Miller, Ernst & Young • Mike Moore, Director, UST - Norris Institute • Eric Nicholson, Partner, Greene Holcomb & Fisher • Dale Nordquist, CEO, Zareba • Vance Opperman, CEO, Key Investment • Jeff Ostapeic, McGladrey • Chris Pulling, CEO, The Integra Group • Bernard Pump, Deloitte & Touche • Chris Puto, Dean, College of Business, UST Opus College of Business • Howard Root, CEO, Vascular Solutions • Alexander Rosenstein, Fredrikson & Byron • Fin Samson, Venture Partner, Affinity Capital Management • Jeff Saunders, Dorsey & Whitney • Steve Schaefer, Fish & Richardson • Randy Schmidt, Venture Partner, Lemhi Ventures • David Shapiro, Vice President, Marquette Capital Partners • Kevin Smith, KPMG • Gary Speier, Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner • Ed Spencer, Jr., Chairman, Affinity Capital Management • Greg Steiner, Grant Thornton • Dave Stene, Eide Bailly • Russ Straate, Assoc. Director Venture Center, U of M Technology Commercialization • Todd Taylor, Fredrikson & Byron • Jonathan Van Horn, Dorsey & Whitney • Becky Woods, Doherty Employment Group • Jonathan Zimmerman, Faegre & Benson

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• Click here for recaps of all our 2010 events.

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